5610. sephar

Lexicon

sephar: Scroll, book, writing

Original Word: סְפָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cphar
Pronunciation: seh-far
Phonetic Spelling: (sef-awr')
Definition: Scroll, book, writing
Meaning: a census

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

numbering

From caphar; a census -- numbering.

see HEBREW caphar

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as sepher
Definition
enumeration, census
NASB Translation
census (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

I. סְפָר noun [masculine] enumeration, census (late; on formative compare Lag^{BN 175}); — absolute ׳ס, followed by אֲשֶׁר as accusative of congnate meaning with verb סָפַר2Chron 2:16.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb סָפַר (safar), which means "to count" or "to number."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The corresponding Greek term for a census or numbering is found in Strong's Greek Number G706: ἀριθμός (arithmos). This term is used in the New Testament to denote a number or a count, similar to the Hebrew concept of סְפָר. The Greek term appears in contexts where counting or numbering is significant, such as in the Book of Revelation, where numbers often carry symbolic meaning.

In summary, the Hebrew word סְפָר (sefar) encapsulates the biblical practice of taking a census, a task that was both practical and deeply theological, reflecting God's order and care for His people.

Usage: The word סְפָר is used in the context of taking a census or numbering a population, often for administrative or military purposes. It is a term that appears in the context of organizing and managing the people of Israel, particularly in the Old Testament.

Context: • The concept of a census, as denoted by the Hebrew word סְפָר, is significant in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Pentateuch. The act of taking a census was often commanded by God to organize the tribes of Israel, prepare for military campaigns, or allocate resources and responsibilities among the people.
• In the Book of Numbers, the census is a central theme, as God instructs Moses to count the Israelites. This census was crucial for determining the number of men eligible for military service and for organizing the camp of Israel during their wilderness journey.
• The census was not merely a bureaucratic exercise but held theological significance. It underscored the importance of each individual within the covenant community and highlighted God's providential care and order over His people.
• The act of numbering the people also served as a reminder of God's promises to Abraham regarding the multiplication of his descendants. However, unauthorized censuses, such as the one conducted by King David, were viewed negatively and resulted in divine judgment, as they reflected a lack of trust in God's provision and sovereignty.

Forms and Transliterations

הַסְּפָ֔ר הספר has·sə·p̄ār hasseFar hassəp̄ār

Englishman's Concordance

2 Chronicles 2:17
HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַחֲרֵ֣י הַסְּפָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר סְפָרָ֖ם
NAS: following the census which
KJV: after the numbering wherewith David
INT: of Israel after the numbering after had numbered

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5610
1 Occurrence

has·sə·p̄ār — 1 Occ.