Lexical Summary tsanaph: To wrap, to wind, to roll up Original Word: צָנַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be attired, surely, violently turn A primitive root; to wrap, i.e. Roll or dress -- be attired, X surely, violently turn. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to wrap or wind up together NASB Translation attired (1), roll you tightly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָנַף] verb wrap, or wind up, together (compare Arabic  hem of garment, ᵑ7J צְנָפָא skirt ( = כָּנָף); מַצְנֵפָא turban, Christian-Palestinian Aramaic  tassel); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יִצְנֹף Leviticus 16:4 he shall wind (his head) with (ב) the turban ( מִצְנֶפֶת q. v.); suffix, + Infinitive absolute and accusative of congnate meaning with verb צָנוֺף יִצְנָפְךָ צְנֵפָה Isaiah 22:18 he will wind thee entirely up (with) a winding (under figure of ball, to be driven far off, in exile). — צנוף Isaiah 62:3 see following. Topical Lexicon Sense and Imagery צָנַף carries the idea of wrapping, winding, or swaddling something around the head or body. In Scripture the verb is applied literally to priestly garments and metaphorically to the sweeping away of a man in divine judgment. Both nuances share the concept of something being completely enclosed—either in sacred vestments or in the grip of God’s sovereign action. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Leviticus 16:4 Service of the High Priest Leviticus 16:4 introduces the Day of Atonement attire: “He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and he shall have the linen undergarments upon his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around him, and wear the linen turban. These are sacred garments; therefore he shall bathe himself with water before he puts them on.”. Here צָנַף describes the careful winding of the turban around Aaron’s head. The action emphasizes consecration: every thread is set apart for holy duty, mirroring the High Priest’s total devotion when he enters the Most Holy Place with sacrificial blood. Israel sees a visual sermon—atonement requires complete coverage, and holiness must crown the mediator. Prophetic Imagery of Exile and Judgment In Isaiah 22:18 Jerusalem’s steward Shebna is warned: “He will roll you tightly like a ball and sling you into a wide land; there you will die...”. Twice the prophet uses צָנַף to picture Shebna being wrapped up and hurled away. The verb that once depicted priestly dignity now underscores disgrace. The image is forceful: human pride is no match for the God who can bundle a man as easily as a cloth and cast him from office and homeland. Theological Themes 1. Consecration and Covering—The verb’s first use links wrapping with holiness. Only when the priest is fully enveloped in the prescribed garments may he minister before the Lord, pointing forward to the perfect High Priest who clothes His people in righteousness. Practical Ministry Application • Worship planners may highlight the call to be “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) when teaching on Leviticus 16, drawing a line from linen turban to baptismal identity. Summary צָנַף depicts both the gracious covering of the atoning priest and the severe wrapping of the unrepentant official. Whether in sanctuary or sentence, the verb magnifies a God who encloses all things within His holy purpose. Forms and Transliterations יִצְנָפְךָ֙ יִצְנֹ֑ף יצנף יצנפך צָנ֤וֹף צנוף ṣā·nō·wp̄ ṣānōwp̄ tzaNof yiṣ·nā·p̄ə·ḵā yiṣ·nōp̄ yiṣnāp̄əḵā yiṣnōp̄ yitznafeCha yitzNofLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 16:4 HEB: וּבְמִצְנֶ֥פֶת בַּ֖ד יִצְנֹ֑ף בִּגְדֵי־ קֹ֣דֶשׁ NAS: sash and attired with the linen KJV: mitre shall he be attired: these INT: turban the linen and attired garments are holy Isaiah 22:18 Isaiah 22:18 3 Occurrences |
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