8226. saphan

Lexical Summary

saphan: Rock hyrax, coney

Original Word: שָׂפַן
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: saphan
Pronunciation: sah-fahn'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-fan')
KJV: treasure
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to conceal (as a valuable)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

treasure

A primitive root; to conceal (as a valuable) -- treasure.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
the same as saphan, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Context

“ ‘They will feast on the abundance of the seas and on the treasures hidden in the sand.’ ” (Deuteronomy 33:19). The expression rendered “treasures hidden” contains the solitary Old Testament use of שָׂפַן. Moses is pronouncing a prophetic blessing over Zebulun and Issachar. Both tribes are depicted as drawing wealth from sea trade and coastal sands, a promise that links God’s covenant faithfulness with the physical landscape of the land He is giving His people.

Historical and Geographical Dimensions

1. Coastal Commerce: Zebulun’s territory touched the Mediterranean trade routes. Ancient nations valued the purple dye extracted from Murex shells found in coastal sands, and also coveted glass-making sand rich in silica. Such resources illustrate how the phrase could denote literal material hidden beneath the shoreline.
2. Inland Partnership: Issachar, though primarily agrarian and inland, is joined with Zebulun in the blessing, hinting at inter-tribal cooperation—farm produce exchanged for maritime profit—showing Israel’s economy functioning as an integrated covenant community.
3. Archaeological Echoes: Excavations along Israel’s northern coast reveal Phoenician glass kilns and dye-workshops from the Iron Age, lending plausibility to Moses’ words that valuable commodities lay “hidden” until industrious hands uncovered them.

Theological Significance

1. Providence in Unlikely Places: Sand is ordinary, yet within it God placed wealth. The motif underscores His sovereignty in reserving provision where human eyes see only common soil.
2. Blessing Tied to Obedience: Deuteronomy 33 is framed within covenant stipulations (Deuteronomy 28–30). The hidden treasure becomes a visible sign that walking in God’s ways yields both spiritual and temporal fruit.
3. Revelation of the Concealed: Scripture repeatedly moves from concealment to disclosure—manna inside the ark (Exodus 16:33), truths veiled in parables (Matthew 13:35), and the gospel “hidden for ages” now revealed (Colossians 1:26). שָׂפַן participates in that larger pattern by highlighting what only God can uncover.

Connections to Other Scriptural Themes

• Hidden Manna (Revelation 2:17): God’s sustenance stored away for the faithful.
• Hidden Wisdom (Job 28:21; 1 Corinthians 2:7): Riches of understanding accessible through divine revelation.
• Treasure in Earthen Vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7): Spiritual wealth contained in unlikely hosts, paralleling costly resources embedded in common sand.

These parallels invite believers to view שָׂפַן not merely as economic gain but as a whisper of deeper riches stored in Christ.

Ministry Application

1. Encouragement to Stewardship: Just as Zebulun and Issachar were to labor in uncovering what God deposited, modern believers are called to diligent stewardship—identifying and developing the resources, gifts, and opportunities God has entrusted.
2. Hope in Mundane Settings: Congregations serving in seemingly insignificant locales can trust that God hides strategic influence and blessing in “sandy” contexts. Faithfulness may reveal unexpected ministry impact.
3. Unity of Purpose: The joint promise to two tribes models cooperative ministry across differing strengths—maritime and agricultural, urban and rural, platform and support—advancing God’s mission more effectively together than alone.

Christological Echoes

The One greater than Moses promises inexhaustible treasure: “in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). שָׂפַן anticipates Christ as the ultimate reservoir of hidden riches. The church, like Zebulun and Issachar, is invited to draw from those depths and distribute the bounty to the nations.

Summary

Strong’s Hebrew 8226 appears only once, yet its influence radiates through themes of provision, revelation, and cooperative obedience. Shining through Deuteronomy 33:19 is the assurance that God plants extraordinary riches within ordinary elements, calling His people to discover, steward, and share them for the glory of the One in whom every treasure is found.

Forms and Transliterations

וּשְׂפוּנֵ֖י ושפוני ū·śə·p̄ū·nê usefuNei ūśəp̄ūnê

Englishman's Concordance

Deuteronomy 33:19
HEB: יַמִּים֙ יִינָ֔קוּ וּשְׂפוּנֵ֖י טְמ֥וּנֵי חֽוֹל׃
KJV: of the seas, and [of] treasures hid
INT: of the seas will draw and treasures and the hidden of the sand

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8226
1 Occurrence

ū·śə·p̄ū·nê — 1 Occ.