Lexical Summary tsaphin: Hidden, treasure Original Word: צָפִין Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hid From tsaphan; a treasure (as hidden) -- hid. see HEBREW tsaphan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaphan Definition a treasure NASB Translation treasure (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צָפִין] noun [masculine] treasure; — suffix צְפִינְךָ Psalm 17:14 Kt < צְפוּנְךָ Qr, see צפן passive participle Topical Lexicon Scriptural occurrence צָפִין appears once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 17:14. There it describes the people whom the Lord regards as His “treasured ones”, literally “those hidden” or “those kept in secret.” Context in Psalm 17 Psalm 17 contrasts two groups: “men of the world whose portion is in this life” and the psalmist together with God’s צָפִין. David pleads, “From such men, O LORD, by Your hand… may You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones” (Psalm 17:14). The petition acknowledges that ultimate provision comes not from earthly systems but from the covenant Lord who hides, guards, and satisfies His own. The immediate request is physical sustenance; the deeper confidence rests in divine protection that transcends temporal threats (verse 15). Hidden yet known to God Throughout Scripture, hiding can signal either judgment (Genesis 3:8) or preservation (Exodus 2:3). צָפִין aligns with the latter theme. God keeps His people concealed in the sense of secure custody, much as He “stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (Proverbs 2:7) and “hides” them “in the shelter of His presence” (Psalm 31:20). The same root underlies Psalm 83:3, “They conspire against Your treasured ones”. Thus the vocabulary consistently links being hidden with being valued. Theological significance 1. Election and covenant love: The hidden ones are not anonymous masses but recipients of elective grace (cf. Deuteronomy 7:6). Historical insights Second Temple literature sometimes identified the “hidden ones” with the faithful remnant awaiting vindication (e.g., 1 Enoch 104). Rabbinic tradition applied Psalm 17:14 to Israel sustained in exile. Early Christian commentators (e.g., Augustine, Chrysostom) interpreted the verse typologically of the Church preserved amid persecution. Contrast with worldly portion Men “whose portion is in this life” (Psalm 17:14) pursue temporal abundance but ultimately “fade like the grass” (Psalm 37:2). The hidden ones may receive material blessings, yet their true inheritance is God Himself: “As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness” (Psalm 17:15). This antithesis mirrors Jesus’ words, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). New Testament resonance • Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Practical application • Assurance: Believers rest in the reality that their lives are guarded in Christ, whatever outward circumstances suggest. Homiletical outline suggestion 1. The Worldly Portion (Psalm 17:14a) Summary צָפִין embodies the paradox of being concealed yet cherished. Its single biblical appearance unfolds a rich theology of divine preservation, underscoring that those whom God hides today He will honor eternally. Forms and Transliterations וּֽצְפוּנְךָ֮ וצפונך ū·ṣə·p̄ū·nə·ḵā ūṣəp̄ūnəḵā utzefuneChaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 17:14 HEB: [וּצְפִינְךָ כ] (וּֽצְפוּנְךָ֮ ק) תְּמַלֵּ֪א NAS: You fill with Your treasure; They are satisfied KJV: thou fillest with thy hid [treasure]: they are full INT: portion in life hid fill belly 1 Occurrence |
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