Lexical Summary tsaphith: Watchtower, lookout Original Word: צָפִית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance watchtower From tsaphah; a sentry -- watchtower. see HEBREW tsaphah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaphah Definition a rug, carpet NASB Translation cloth (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs צָפִית noun feminine rug, carpet (laid out); — צָפֹה Isaiah 21:5, so now most, see especially CheIntr. Is. 126; > watch, outlook (I. צפה), Ges De and others Topical Lexicon Etymology and Semantic Range The feminine noun צָפִית (tsāphît) belongs to the root group צפה (ṣ-p-h), which carries the ideas of covering, overlaying, or laying a surface upon something. In later Hebrew the term came to describe a plate or thin sheet of metal applied to another material—especially gold plating. Though the specific form does not appear in any preserved Old Testament verse, cognate forms (such as the verb צִפָּה, “to overlay,” and the noun צִפּוּי, “overlay, plating”) occur often, and together they demonstrate the semantic field to which צָפִית would have belonged. Canonical Absence and Lexical Footprint No Masoretic text cites צָפִית explicitly, yet the idea behind the word permeates Scripture. We learn its meaning from comparative linguistics, cognate nouns, and the conceptual framework of divine commands concerning gilded worship furniture. Its absence in direct quotation therefore highlights rather than diminishes the Old Testament’s pervasive theology of sacred overlay. Conceptual Parallels in Scripture Exodus repeatedly stresses gold plating for holy objects. “Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out” (Exodus 25:11). The table of the Bread of the Presence (25:24), the altar of incense (30:3), and the Ark’s carrying poles (25:13) all follow the same pattern. Solomon later extended the principle: “He overlaid the altar of cedar” (1 Kings 6:20) and “overlaid the house... with gold” (2 Chronicles 3:7). In every case common material (acacia or cedar) was hidden beneath a radiant surface, dramatizing the holiness of the God who dwelt among His people. Historical and Cultural Insights Gilding was common throughout the Ancient Near East, conserving precious metal while displaying maximum brilliance. Egyptian, Phoenician, and Mesopotamian shrines used the technique, yet only Israel’s tabernacle tied the craft to covenant revelation. Exodus specifies dimensions, materials, and even the artisans empowered by the Spirit (Exodus 31:3-5), rooting aesthetic beauty in obedience rather than ostentation. Theological Significance 1. Holiness—A precious overlay separated sacred objects from defiling touch (Numbers 4:15). Practical Ministry Applications • Worship and Stewardship: Excellence in art, architecture, and music rightly reflects God’s worth (Malachi 1:8-11). Related Hebrew Roots and Cognates • צִפָּה (tsippâ) “to overlay, plate” (Exodus 25:11; 1 Kings 6:21). New Testament Echoes Peter compares faith to gold refined by fire (1 Peter 1:7), while Revelation pictures the New Jerusalem as a city where “the street was pure gold” (Revelation 21:21). These images pick up the Old Testament motif of resplendent holiness, now fulfilled in the redeemed people of God and the eschatological dwelling place of the Lamb (Revelation 21:22-23). Devotional Reflection Although hidden in our English Bibles, צָפִית silently witnesses to God’s concern for every detail of worship and life. Just as He ordered common wood to be covered with incorruptible gold, so He purposes to present His church “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27). The unseen noun thus invites believers to pursue inward purity and outward excellence, confident that the God who designed every overlay in the sanctuary is shaping them for eternal glory. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance kə·ṣap·pî·ḥiṯ — 1 Occ.ṣō·p̄îm — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·p̄ū·nə·ḵā — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·p̄î·rê — 1 Occ. ṣə·p̄îr- — 1 Occ. ṣə·p̄î·rê — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·p̄îr — 1 Occ. ū·ṣə·p̄î·rê — 1 Occ. wə·haṣ·ṣā·p̄îr — 2 Occ. haṣ·ṣə·p̄î·rāh — 2 Occ. haṣ·ṣə·p̄î·nōw — 1 Occ. liṣ·pū·nāw — 1 Occ. niṣ·pan — 1 Occ. niṣ·pə·nāh — 1 Occ. niṣ·pə·nū — 2 Occ. taṣ·pi·nê·nî — 1 Occ. tiṣ·pə·nêm — 1 Occ. tiṣ·pōn — 2 Occ. ṣā·p̄an- — 1 Occ. ṣā·p̄an·tā — 3 Occ. |