Lexical Summary saiph: Sword Original Word: סָעִף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance opinion Or samiph {saw-eef'}; from ca'aph; divided (in mind), i.e. (abstractly) a sentiment -- opinion. see HEBREW ca'aph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee seippah. Brown-Driver-Briggs [סְעִמָּה] noun feminine division, divided opinion; — plural absolute עַלשְֿׁתֵּי הַסְּעִמִּים 1 Kings 18:21 how long are ye limping on the two divided opinions (as on unequal legs; ᵐ5 ταῖς ἰγνύαις seems an attempt to interpret the figurative; according to AlbrZAW xvi (1896) 75 {abbrev}ס really = legs). שְׂעִמִּים noun [masculine] plural disquietings, = disquieting or excited thoughts; — ׳שׂ Job 4:13; suffix שְׂעִמַּי (Baer שְׂעִימַּי) Job 20:2 ("" חוּשִׁי). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Imagery סָעִף (saʿiph) evokes the idea of a “split,” “branch,” or “fork.” Figuratively it portrays a heart or mind that is not whole but divided into competing paths. The word therefore colors each passage where it appears with overtones of wavering, anxious division, or fractured allegiance. Occurrences in Scripture 1 Kings 18:21; Job 4:13; Job 20:2. Indecision on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18: 21) Elijah’s challenge, “How long will you waver between two opinions?”, places the nation of Israel at a decisive fork. Baal worship had flourished under Ahab and Jezebel, yet the people hesitated to renounce YHWH entirely. Elijah exposes the spiritual absurdity of limping back and forth. The imagery paints Israel as a traveler who keeps changing feet at a crossroads and never commits to a road. The contest that follows vindicates the LORD and shows that divided allegiance is untenable. In covenant terms, saʿiph here signals imminent judgment if the people refuse singular loyalty (Deuteronomy 6:13-15). Inner Turmoil in Job’s Dialogues (Job 4: 13; Job 20: 2) Eliphaz recalls “disquieting visions in the night” (Job 4: 13). The word captures thoughts that branch out in fearful directions when deep sleep should bring rest. Later Zophar confesses, “So my anxious thoughts compel me to answer” (Job 20: 2). Even Job’s friends, confident in their theology, are internally divided. Their saʿiph-thoughts expose the frailty of human wisdom before God’s inscrutable governance of suffering. What they present as settled doctrine is born from restless minds that grope for neat answers. Theological Themes 1. Singleness of heart. Scripture consistently urges an undivided mind toward God (Psalm 86: 11). Saʿiph shows that split devotion is both sinful and unstable. Historical Context 1 Kings places Israel at a political and spiritual climax. Baal, a storm deity, was believed to control rain; yet drought underlines his impotence. Elijah’s question pierces beyond meteorological concerns to covenant fidelity. Job, by contrast, reflects patriarchal times and wisdom traditions. There, saʿiph is psychological rather than national, spotlighting the universal human struggle with disquieting thoughts. Ministry Applications • Preaching. Elijah’s challenge remains a summons to modern hearers tempted by syncretism or secular idols. New Testament Echoes Though the Hebrew term does not appear in Greek, its concept surfaces repeatedly. Jesus demands exclusive allegiance (Matthew 6: 24). James warns against “double-minded” prayer (James 1: 6-8) and calls for purification of “double-minded” hearts (James 4: 8). The divided soul cannot receive the fullness of divine grace. Summary סָעִף highlights the peril of a split mind—whether expressed in national idolatry or personal anxiety. Scripture answers this fracture with the call to singlehearted devotion to the LORD, whose covenant faithfulness and sovereign care render all divided loyalties both irrational and unsafe. Forms and Transliterations בִּ֭שְׂעִפִּים בשעפים הַסְּעִפִּים֒ הסעפים שְׂעִפַּ֣י שעפי biś‘ippîm biś·‘ip·pîm Bisippim has·sə·‘ip·pîm hassə‘ippîm hasseipPim śə‘ippay śə·‘ip·pay seipPaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 18:21 HEB: עַל־ שְׁתֵּ֣י הַסְּעִפִּים֒ אִם־ יְהוָ֤ה KJV: ye between two opinions? if the LORD INT: between two opinion if the LORD Job 4:13 Job 20:2 3 Occurrences |
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