Lexical Summary shaphath: To set, place, put Original Word: שָׁפָת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hook, pot From shaphath; a (double) stall (for cattle); also a (two-pronged) hook (for flaying animals on) -- hook, pot. see HEBREW shaphath Brown-Driver-Briggs II. שְׁפַתַּ֫יִם noun [masculine] dual doubtful word: usually hook-shaped pegs, hooks, so ᵑ7 Thes AV RV; absolute ׳וְהַשּׁ Ezekiel 40:43; < ᵑ6 ᵑ9 Co וּשְׂפָתָם and their edge, so Aq Theod Symm and probably ᵐ5, compare Hi-Sm, and Krae (וּשְׂפַת). — 1. ׳שׁ see √שׁפה. שֶׁ֫צֶף see שֶׁ֫טֶף below שׁטף. Topical Lexicon Scope of Useשָׁפָת appears twice in the Old Testament (Psalm 68:13; Ezekiel 40:43). Although the settings differ—open pasture in the Psalter and the future Temple in Ezekiel—both contexts involve places or implements that support God-given activity: the rest and protection of His people and the orderly handling of sacrificial meat. Psalm 68:13 – Rest within Conflict “Even while you sleep among the sheepfolds, the wings of a dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.” (Psalm 68:13) David pictures Israel “lying among the sheepfolds,” a symbol of pastoral calm, immediately before describing a triumphant procession. The juxtaposition magnifies the Lord’s ability to confer security in the midst of warfare (Psalm 68:11-14). שָׁפָת marks the boundary between danger and safety. The shepherd’s enclosure evokes earlier images of tribal life (Genesis 49:14; Judges 5:16) and anticipates Christ the Good Shepherd, whose flock rests secure even when enemies surround them (John 10:11, 28). Ezekiel 40:43 – Order in Worship “The double hooks, a handbreadth in length, were fastened all around the inside; and the flesh of the offerings was placed on the ledge.” (Ezekiel 40:43) In Ezekiel’s visionary temple the same term denotes “ledges” or “hooks” on which priests lay sacrificial portions. The verse underscores meticulous provision for handling holy things. שָׁפָת therefore moves from pastoral protection to priestly precision, revealing God’s concern for both the everyday needs of His people and the exacting requirements of worship. Literary and Theological Themes 1. Protection and Provision Historical-Cultural Notes • Sheepfolds in the Ancient Near East were low-walled enclosures, often with a single opening that the shepherd himself guarded (compare John 10:1-3). Ministry Significance • Pastoral Care: Leaders today mirror the Psalm image when they create environments where believers can “lie down” in spiritual safety while the Lord secures victory. Devotional Reflection The dual use of שָׁפָת invites trust. Whether God calls His people to rest or to minister, He supplies an ordered space—be it a quiet fold or a sanctified ledge—so that His glory may be displayed and His people strengthened for His purposes. Forms and Transliterations וְהַֽשְׁפַתַּ֗יִם והשפתים שְׁפַ֫תָּ֥יִם שפתים šə·p̄at·tā·yim šəp̄attāyim sheFatTayim vehashfatTayim wə·haš·p̄at·ta·yim wəhašp̄attayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 68:13 HEB: תִּשְׁכְּבוּן֮ בֵּ֪ין שְׁפַ֫תָּ֥יִם כַּנְפֵ֣י י֭וֹנָה NAS: among the sheepfolds, [You are like] the wings KJV: Though ye have lien among the pots, [yet shall ye be as] the wings INT: lie among the sheepfolds the wings of a dove Ezekiel 40:43 2 Occurrences |
    |