6884. tsaraph

Lexicon

tsaraph: To refine, to test, to purify, to smelt

Original Word: צָרַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsaraph
Pronunciation: tsaw-raf'
Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-raf')
Definition: To refine, to test, to purify, to smelt
Meaning: to fuse, refine

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

cast, refiner, founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try

A primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. Refine (literally or figuratively) -- cast, (re-)fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to smelt, refine, test
NASB Translation
goldsmith (5), goldsmiths (2), pure (1), refine (3), refined (5), refiner's (1), refining goes (1), silversmith (2), smelt (1), smelter (2), smith (1), test (2), tested (4), tried (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

צָרַף verb smelt, refine, test (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician מצרף smelter; Assyrian ƒurrupu, refined, ƒarpu, silver, naƒraptu, crucible; Arabic is pure, unmixed (especially of wine); **compare pure silver, etc., Schulth^{GGA, 1902, 673}; also Zim^{GGA, 1899, 250; KAT 3, 650} (Hebrew, etc., borrowed from Assyrian); very doubtful is Sabean צרף silver, money, compare Mordtm^{Him. Inschr. pp. 14, 29} CIS^{iv, No. 291, 1.1}); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳צ Jeremiah 6:29, suffix צְרָפָ֑תְהוּ Psalm 105:19; 2masculine singular suffix צְרַפְתָּנִי Psalm 17:3, etc.; Imperfect1singular אֶצְרֹף Isaiah 1:25, suffix אֶצְרְפֶנּוּ Judges 7:4; Imperative masculine singular צרופה Psalm 26:2 Kt, צָרְפָה Qr; Infinitive absolute צָרוֺף Jeremiah 6:29; construct לִצְרוֺף Daniel 11:35, etc.; Participle active suffix צוֺרְכָּם Jeremiah 9:6, etc.; pass. צָרוּף Psalm 12:7, etc.; —

1 smelt, refine: Jeremiah 6:29 (twice in verse) in vain hath he smelted continually (infinitive absolute; figurative of purifying people); so smelt away Isaiah 1:25 (accusative of dross; figurative); of silver Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 66:10, כֶּסֶף צָרוּף בַּעֲלִיל Psalm 12:7 (all simile); of ׳אִמְרַת י Psalm 18:31 = 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 119:140; Proverbs 30:5 (אִמְרַת אֱלוֺהַּ); refine (men, by trials) Daniel 11:35 (+ לִבָרֵר, לַלְבֵּן).

2 test Judges 7:4 I will test them (the warriors) for thee (׳י subject); — perhaps also Judges 7:3 (see I. צפר); more Generally, of ׳י's testing, trying (the hearts of) men (often "" בָּחַן) Jeremiah 9:6; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9; Psalm 26:2; Psalm 66:10.

3 test (and prove true) a man (subject ׳יs saying) Psalm 105:19.

4 Participle active as

noun smelter, refiner, hence = goldsmith Judges 17:4; Jeremiah 10:9,14; Jeremiah 51:17; Isaiah 40:19 (twice in verse) (but perhaps strike out v^b, compare Du Che Marti), Isaiah 41:7; Isaiah 46:6; Proverbs 25:4; as a guild Nehemiah 3:8,32.

Niph`al Imperfect3masculine plural יִצָּֽרְפוּ Daniel 12:10 many shall be refined (by suffering; + יִתְבָּֽרְרוּ, יִתְלַבְּנוּ).

Pi`el Participle מְצָרֵף as

noun a refiner, ׳כְּאֵשׁ מ Malachi 3:2 (simile of ׳י), compare ׳מְ alone Malachi 3:3 (+ מְטַהֵר כֶּסֶף).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G695 (ἀργυροκοπέω, argurokopeo): To coin money, to mint, related to the process of refining metals.
• G1381 (δοκιμάζω, dokimazo): To test, examine, prove, scrutinize, often used in the context of testing the genuineness of something.
• G1571 (ἐκκαθαίρω, ekkathairo): To cleanse thoroughly, purify, related to the removal of impurities.
• G2511 (καθαρίζω, katharizo): To cleanse, purify, often used in a ceremonial or moral sense.
• G2680 (κατασκευάζω, kataskeuazo): To prepare, make ready, construct, related to the idea of preparing or refining.
• G4448 (πυρόω, puroo): To burn, set on fire, refine by fire, often used metaphorically for testing or purifying.
• G5471 (χαλκεύω, chalkeuo): To forge, to work with metal, related to the process of refining or shaping metals.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew verb צָרַף (tsaraph), illustrating its significance in both literal and metaphorical contexts within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The verb צָרַף (tsaraph) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe the process of refining metals, such as silver and gold, by removing impurities through melting. It is also used metaphorically to describe the testing or proving of individuals or groups, often in a spiritual or moral sense.

Context: • The verb צָרַף (tsaraph) appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the sense of refining metals. This process involves heating the metal to a molten state, allowing impurities to be separated and removed, resulting in a purer product. This imagery is frequently employed in the Scriptures to illustrate God's refining work in the lives of His people, purifying them through trials and testing.
• In the book of Psalms, the psalmist uses this term to describe the purity of God's words: "The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold" (Psalm 12:6, BSB). Here, the refining process underscores the perfection and reliability of divine revelation.
• The prophet Malachi also uses this imagery to describe the coming of the Lord as a refiner's fire, purifying the sons of Levi: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver" (Malachi 3:3, BSB). This passage highlights the transformative and purifying work of God in preparing His people for service.
• In the book of Proverbs, the refining process is used metaphorically to describe the testing of human hearts: "The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart" (Proverbs 17:3, BSB). This suggests that just as metals are tested and purified, so too are human intentions and character examined by God.

Forms and Transliterations

הַצֹּרְפִ֖ים הצרפים וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ וְאֶצְרֹ֥ף וְיִצָּֽרְפוּ֙ וְצֹרֵ֖ף וּצְרַפְתִּים֙ ואצרף ואצרפנו ויצרפו וצרף וצרפתים כִּצְרָף־ כִּצְרֹ֣ף כצרף כצרף־ לִצְר֥וֹף לַצֹּרֵ֣ף לַצּוֹרֵ֗ף לצורף לצרוף לצרף מְצָרֵ֔ף מְצָרֵ֤ף מצרף צְ֝רַפְתָּ֗נוּ צְרַפְתִּ֖יךָ צְרַפְתַּ֥נִי צְרָפָֽתְהוּ׃ צְרוּפָ֑ה צְרוּפָ֔ה צְרוּפָ֖ה צָ֭רוּף צָר֔וֹף צָרְפָ֖ה צָרַ֣ף צֹרֵ֔ף צֹרֵ֖ף צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים צוֹרְפָ֖ם צוֹרֵ֑ף צוֹרֵ֖ף צוֹרֵֽף׃ צוֹרֵף֙ צורף צורף׃ צורפים צורפם צרוף צרופה צרף צרפה צרפתהו׃ צרפתיך צרפתנו צרפתני haṣ·ṣō·rə·p̄îm haṣṣōrəp̄îm hatztzoreFim kiṣ·rāp̄- kiṣ·rōp̄ kiṣrāp̄- kiṣrōp̄ kitzrof laṣ·ṣō·rêp̄ laṣ·ṣō·w·rêp̄ laṣṣōrêp̄ laṣṣōwrêp̄ latztzoRef liṣ·rō·wp̄ liṣrōwp̄ litzRof mə·ṣā·rêp̄ məṣārêp̄ metzaRef ṣā·rap̄ ṣā·rə·p̄āh ṣā·rō·wp̄ ṣā·rūp̄ ṣārap̄ ṣārəp̄āh ṣārōwp̄ ṣārūp̄ ṣə·rā·p̄ā·ṯə·hū ṣə·rap̄·ta·nî ṣə·rap̄·tā·nū ṣə·rap̄·tî·ḵā ṣə·rū·p̄āh ṣərāp̄āṯəhū ṣərap̄tanî ṣərap̄tānū ṣərap̄tîḵā ṣərūp̄āh ṣō·rêp̄ ṣō·w·rêp̄ ṣō·wr·p̄ām ṣō·wr·p̄îm ṣōrêp̄ ṣōwrêp̄ ṣōwrp̄ām ṣōwrp̄îm tzaRaf tzareFah tzaRof Tzaruf tzeraFatehu tzerafTani tzerafTanu tzerafTicha tzeruFah tzoRef tzorFam tzorFim ū·ṣə·rap̄·tîm ūṣərap̄tîm utzerafTim veetzreFennu veetzRof vetzoRef veyitztzareFu wə’eṣrəp̄ennū wə’eṣrōp̄ wə·’eṣ·rə·p̄en·nū wə·’eṣ·rōp̄ wə·ṣō·rêp̄ wə·yiṣ·ṣā·rə·p̄ū wəṣōrêp̄ wəyiṣṣārəp̄ū

Englishman's Concordance

Judges 7:4
HEB: אֶל־ הַמַּ֔יִם וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ לְךָ֖ שָׁ֑ם
NAS: to the water and I will test them for you there.
KJV: unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, [that] of whom I say
INT: to the water will test there become

Judges 17:4
HEB: כֶּ֜סֶף וַתִּתְּנֵ֣הוּ לַצּוֹרֵ֗ף וַֽיַּעֲשֵׂ֙הוּ֙ פֶּ֣סֶל
NAS: and gave them to the silversmith who made
KJV: and gave them to the founder, who made
INT: silver and gave to the silversmith made A graven

2 Samuel 22:31
HEB: אִמְרַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ צְרוּפָ֔ה מָגֵ֣ן ה֔וּא
NAS: of the LORD is tested; He is a shield
KJV: of the LORD [is] tried: he [is] a buckler
INT: the word of the LORD is tested shield he

Nehemiah 3:8
HEB: בֶּֽן־ חַרְהֲיָה֙ צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים ס וְעַל־
NAS: of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths made
KJV: of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him
INT: the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths unto him

Nehemiah 3:32
HEB: הַצֹּ֔אן הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַצֹּרְפִ֖ים וְהָרֹכְלִֽים׃ פ
NAS: Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants
KJV: repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
INT: and the Sheep carried the goldsmiths and the merchants

Psalm 12:6
HEB: טְהֹ֫ר֥וֹת כֶּ֣סֶף צָ֭רוּף בַּעֲלִ֣יל לָאָ֑רֶץ
NAS: As silver tried in a furnace
KJV: [as] silver tried in a furnace
INT: are pure silver tried A furnace the earth

Psalm 17:3
HEB: פָּ֘קַ֤דְתָּ לַּ֗יְלָה צְרַפְתַּ֥נִי בַל־ תִּמְצָ֑א
NAS: [me] by night; You have tested me and You find
KJV: [me] in the night; thou hast tried me, [and] shalt find
INT: have visited night have tested nothing find

Psalm 18:30
HEB: אִמְרַֽת־ יְהוָ֥ה צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא
NAS: of the LORD is tried; He is a shield
KJV: of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler
INT: the word of the LORD is tried shield he

Psalm 26:2
HEB: [צְרֹופָה כ] (צָרְפָ֖ה ק) כִלְיוֹתַ֣י
NAS: and try me; Test my mind
KJV: and prove me; try my reins
INT: LORD and try cast my mind and my heart

Psalm 66:10
HEB: בְחַנְתָּ֥נוּ אֱלֹהִ֑ים צְ֝רַפְתָּ֗נוּ כִּצְרָף־ כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: us, O God; You have refined us as silver
KJV: hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver
INT: have tried God have refined is refined silver

Psalm 66:10
HEB: אֱלֹהִ֑ים צְ֝רַפְתָּ֗נוּ כִּצְרָף־ כָּֽסֶף׃
NAS: us as silver is refined.
KJV: us, as silver is tried.
INT: God have refined is refined silver

Psalm 105:19
HEB: אִמְרַ֖ת יְהוָ֣ה צְרָפָֽתְהוּ׃
NAS: The word of the LORD tested him.
KJV: the word of the LORD tried him.
INT: the word of the LORD tested

Psalm 119:140
HEB: צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד
NAS: is very pure, Therefore Your servant
KJV: [is] very pure: therefore thy servant
INT: pure your word is very

Proverbs 25:4
HEB: מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃
NAS: out a vessel for the smith;
KJV: a vessel for the finer.
INT: the silver comes the smith A vessel

Proverbs 30:5
HEB: אִמְרַ֣ת אֱל֣וֹהַּ צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא
NAS: of God is tested; He is a shield
KJV: of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield
INT: word of God is tested shield who

Isaiah 1:25
HEB: יָדִי֙ עָלַ֔יִךְ וְאֶצְרֹ֥ף כַּבֹּ֖ר סִיגָ֑יִךְ
NAS: against you, And will smelt away your dross
KJV: upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross,
INT: my hand against and will smelt cleanness your dross

Isaiah 40:19
HEB: נָסַ֣ךְ חָרָ֔שׁ וְצֹרֵ֖ף בַּזָּהָ֣ב יְרַקְּעֶ֑נּוּ
NAS: casts it, A goldsmith plates
KJV: a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth
INT: casts A craftsman A goldsmith gold plates

Isaiah 40:19
HEB: וּרְתֻק֥וֹת כֶּ֖סֶף צוֹרֵֽף׃
NAS: it with gold, And a silversmith [fashions] chains
KJV: it over with gold, and casteth silver
INT: chains of silver silversmith

Isaiah 41:7
HEB: חָרָשׁ֙ אֶת־ צֹרֵ֔ף מַחֲלִ֥יק פַּטִּ֖ישׁ
NAS: encourages the smelter, [And] he who smooths
KJV: encouraged the goldsmith, [and] he that smootheth
INT: encourages the craftsman the smelter smooths the hammer

Isaiah 46:6
HEB: יִשְׁקֹ֑לוּ יִשְׂכְּר֤וּ צוֹרֵף֙ וְיַעֲשֵׂ֣הוּ אֵ֔ל
NAS: Hire a goldsmith, and he makes
KJV: [and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh
INT: and weigh Hire A goldsmith makes it a god

Isaiah 48:10
HEB: הִנֵּ֥ה צְרַפְתִּ֖יךָ וְלֹ֣א בְכָ֑סֶף
NAS: Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
KJV: Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver;
INT: Behold have refined as silver

Jeremiah 6:29
HEB: עֹפָ֑רֶת לַשָּׁוְא֙ צָרַ֣ף צָר֔וֹף וְרָעִ֖ים
NAS: In vain the refining goes
KJV: of the fire; the founder melteth
INT: the lead vain the refining goes the wicked

Jeremiah 6:29
HEB: לַשָּׁוְא֙ צָרַ֣ף צָר֔וֹף וְרָעִ֖ים לֹ֥א
NAS: the refining goes on, But the wicked
KJV: the founder melteth in vain:
INT: vain the refining goes the wicked are not

Jeremiah 9:7
HEB: צְבָא֔וֹת הִנְנִ֥י צוֹרְפָ֖ם וּבְחַנְתִּ֑ים כִּֽי־
NAS: Behold, I will refine them and assay
KJV: of hosts, Behold, I will melt them, and try
INT: of hosts behold will refine and assay For

Jeremiah 10:9
HEB: חָרָ֖שׁ וִידֵ֣י צוֹרֵ֑ף תְּכֵ֤לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן֙
NAS: and of the hands of a goldsmith; Violet
KJV: and of the hands of the founder: blue
INT: of a craftsman the hands of a goldsmith Violet and purple

33 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6884
33 Occurrences

haṣ·ṣō·rə·p̄îm — 1 Occ.
kiṣ·rāp̄- — 2 Occ.
laṣ·ṣō·w·rêp̄ — 2 Occ.
liṣ·rō·wp̄ — 1 Occ.
mə·ṣā·rêp̄ — 2 Occ.
ṣā·rap̄ — 1 Occ.
ṣā·rə·p̄āh — 1 Occ.
ṣā·rō·wp̄ — 1 Occ.
ṣā·rūp̄ — 1 Occ.
ṣə·rā·p̄ā·ṯə·hū — 1 Occ.
ṣə·rap̄·ta·nî — 1 Occ.
ṣə·rap̄·tā·nū — 1 Occ.
ṣə·rap̄·tî·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ṣə·rū·p̄āh — 4 Occ.
ṣō·w·rêp̄ — 6 Occ.
ṣō·wr·p̄ām — 1 Occ.
ṣō·wr·p̄îm — 1 Occ.
ū·ṣə·rap̄·tîm — 1 Occ.
wə·’eṣ·rə·p̄en·nū — 1 Occ.
wə·’eṣ·rōp̄ — 1 Occ.
wə·ṣō·rêp̄ — 1 Occ.
wə·yiṣ·ṣā·rə·p̄ū — 1 Occ.