Lexical Summary saraph: To burn, to set on fire, to consume Original Word: שָׂרַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cause to, make a burning, up kindle, utterly A primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire -- (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, X utterly. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to burn NASB Translation brought (1), burn (35), burn it as he burned (1), burned (70), burns (5), completely burned (1), made (1), undertaker (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שָׂרַף117 verb burn (70 t. + בָּאֵשׁ, 2 t. + בְּמוֺאֵֿשׁ) (Late Hebrew (rare) = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian šarâpu; Aramaic שְׂרַף (rare); ![]() Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳שׂ Joshua 11:9 +, 3 feminine singular suffix שְׂרָפָ֫חַם Isaiah 47:14, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִשְׂרֹף Numbers 19:5 2t., more often וַיִּשְׂרֹף Exodus 32:20 +, 2 masculine plural תִּשְׂרְפוּן Deuteronomy 7:5 2t.; Infinitive absolute שָׂרוֺף 2 Samuel 23:7; construct שְׂרֹף Jeremiah 36:25 +; suffix שָׂרְפוֺ Judges 9:52; Amos 2:1; Participle active שׂרֵף Leviticus 16:28; Numbers 19:8, plural שׂרְפִים 2 Kings 17:31; passive masculine plural שְׂרֻפִים Numbers 17:4; feminine singular שְׂרוּפָה 1 Samuel 30:3, שְׂרֻפָה Psalm 80:17, plural שְׂרוּפוֺת Nehemiah 3:24, construct שְׂרֻפוֺת Isaiah 1:7; — burn (59 t. + בָּאֵשׁ, 2 t. + בְּמוֺאֵֿשׁ): 1 in making bricks, + לִשְׂרֵפָה Genesis 11:3 (J; object omitted). 2. a. with accusative of thing, usually to destroy, e.g. door Judges 9:52, house Judges 12:1; 1 Kings 16:18 (both with עַל person), Jeremiah 39:8 11t., compare passive participle Nehemiah 3:24, city Joshua 6:24; 1 Samuel 30:1,14 16t., compare passive participle 1 Samuel 30:3; Isaiah 1:7, chariots Joshua 11:6,9; 2 Kings 23:11; Psalm 46:10 (subject ׳י), idols, etc., Exodus 32:20 (accusative omitted), Deuteronomy 9:21 10t., roll Jeremiah 36:25,27,28,29,32, wood Isaiah 44:16,19 (both + בְּמוֺאֵֿשׁ), compare Psalm 80:17 (figurative), Jeremiah 51:32, hair Ezekiel 5:4; bones, to lime (as outrage) Amos 2:1; upon altars (in desecration) 1 Kings 13:2; 1Ki 23:16; 1Ki 23:20 2Chronicles 34:5; bodies, as funeral rite 1 Samuel 31:12 (rare custom, RSSemitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372; but Klo Bu read יִשְׂמְּדוּ [= ׳יִס]; compare BenzArchaeology 163; Ency. Bib. DEAD NowArchaeology i. 188); ׳שׂ as funeral rite also (object omitted, probably spices, compare 2 Chronicles 16:14), with ל person mort. Jeremiah 34:5, + accusative of congnate meaning with verb שְׂרֵפָה2Chronicles 16:14 (compare שְׂרֵפָה); in ceremonial of P (never of burning sacrifice on altar, הִקְטִיר, compare הֶעְֶלֶה, but) chiefly (14 t.) of consuming refuse, especially unused portions of victims, etc. (to prevent use), and infected objects, Exodus 29:14,34 +, sometimes מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה Leviticus 4:12 (+ עַעֵָֿצִים), Leviticus 4:21 Leviticus 4:21 4t., etc., compare Ezekiel 43:21; also of burning red heifer (to produce ashes for purification) Numbers 19:5 (twice in verse); Numbers 19:3. b. burn, with accusative of person, (1) as penalty Joshua 7:25 (JE), Judges 14:15; Judges 15:6; Leviticus 20:14, compare Numbers 17:4 (passive participle), so, אֵשׁ subject, Isaiah 47:14, with accusative of congnate meaning with verb שְׂרֵפָה Leviticus 10:6 (P); (2) as sacrifice, Jeremiah 7:31; Jeremiah 19:5; + ל dei Deuteronomy 12:31; 2 Kings 17:31. Niph`al Imperfect3masculine singular יִשָּׂרֵף Joshua 7:15 +, 3 feminine plural תִּשָּׂרַפְנָה Proverbs 6:27, etc.; — be burned (11 t. + בָּאֵשׁ): of city Jeremiah 38:17 + Jeremiah 38:23 (read תִּשָּׂרֵף for תִּשְׂרֹף ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Hi Ew Gf Gie Du), idols, etc., Micah 1:7; 1 Chronicles 14:12; ritually (compare Qal 2 a near the end) Leviticus 4:12; Leviticus 6:23; Leviticus 7:17,19; Leviticus 13:52; Leviticus 19:6; of person, as penalty Genesis 38:24 (J), Joshua 7:15 (JE), 2 Samuel 23:7 (poetry), Leviticus 21:9 (H). Pi`el Participle suffix מְסָֽרְפוֺ Amos 6:10 his burner, usually one burning him, but probably burning spices for him, see Dr and compare Qal above Pu`al Perfect3masculine singular שֹׂרָ֑ף, of goat Leviticus 10:16 it was burnt up (and gone). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Hebrew verb שָׂרַף (saraph) means “to burn, consume or destroy with fire.” It appears about 117 times and spans every major section of the Old Testament. The verb can describe an intentional ritual act, a judicial sentence, an act of warfare, or a direct work of God. Distribution of Usage • Torah: foundational sacrificial, purity and judicial contexts (Genesis–Deuteronomy) Sacrificial and Ritual Burning Saraph occurs frequently in instructions for burnt offerings and sin offerings, underscoring the complete consecration required in worship. The repeated command to “burn” the fat, entrails, or whole animal teaches total devotion and the holiness of God that consumes impurity. Purging Idolatry Saraph is God’s prescribed method for eradicating every trace of false worship. The verb reinforces that idolatry must not merely be removed but utterly destroyed, lest it resurface. Judicial Penalty Certain crimes warranted burning, demonstrating the severity of covenant violation. Such texts show sin’s deadly cost while foreshadowing Christ, who bore the fire of divine wrath for believers. Military Conflagrations Saraph routinely describes cities, fortresses and enemy goods set ablaze during conquest. These events portray God’s sovereignty in warfare and the transience of earthly strongholds. Divine Judgment God Himself “burns” in holy anger against sin. Fire reveals unapproachable holiness; everything incompatible is consumed (Hebrews 12:29). Refinement and Purification Prophets employ saraph metaphorically for refining a remnant. Such usage emphasizes redemptive discipline aimed at producing holiness, not mere destruction. Figures of Suffering and Passion Wisdom literature uses the verb in personal lament. Physical burning mirrors intense inward anguish or ardor. Christological Trajectory Every burnt offering, every fiery judgment and every cleansing flame anticipates the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ. Isaiah speaks of the Servant who will be “a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6); at Calvary He endures the fiery judgment so that believers might become “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). Pentecost’s tongues of fire (Acts 2:3) signal the Spirit’s purifying indwelling promised in the prophets. Ministry Applications 1. Worship: Genuine worship demands total surrender—nothing held back from God’s consuming holiness. See Also Burnt Offering; Fire of the LORD; Holiness; Judgment; Purification; Seraphim (noun, Strong’s 8314). Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׂרֻפִ֑ים השרפים וְהַשֹּׂרֵ֣ף וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה וְשָֽׂרְפ֛וּ וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ וְשָׂרְפ֤וּ וְשָׂרַ֣ף וְשָׂרַ֥ף וְשָׂרַ֨ף וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֤ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֥ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֨ וְתִשָּׂרֵֽף׃ וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֵ֞ם וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֽוּהָ׃ וַֽיִּשְׂרְפוּ֙ וַיִּשְׂרְפ֤וּ וַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ וַיִּשְׂרְפָ֣הּ וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ־ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֛ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֧ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֨ף וַיִּשָּׂרְפ֖וּ וָאֶשְׂרֹ֣ף וּשְׂרָפ֑וּהָ וּשְׂרָפ֖וּהָ וּשְׂרָפָ֖הּ וּשְׂרָפָ֖ם וּשְׂרָפֻ֣הָ וּשְׂרָפֻ֥הָ וּשְׂרָפוֹ֙ ואשרף והשרף וישרף וישרפה וישרפו וישרפו־ וישרפוה׃ וישרפם ונשרפה ושרף ושרפה ושרפו ושרפוה ושרפם ושרפת ותשרף׃ יִשְׂרְפ֤וּ יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ יִשְׂרְפוּ־ יִשְׂרֹ֥ף יִשְׂרֹֽף׃ יִשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃ יִשָּׂרְפ֖וּ יִשָּׂרְפ֣וּ יִשָּׂרֵ֑ף יִשָּׂרֵ֣ף יִשָּׂרֵֽף׃ ישרף ישרף׃ ישרפו ישרפו־ ישרפו׃ לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ לִשְׂרֹ֛ף לִשְׂרֹ֧ף לשרף לשרפו נִשְׂרֹ֥ף נשרף שְׂרָפָ֔תַם שְׂרָפָ֖ם שְׂרֹ֖ף שְׂרֹ֣ף שְׂרֻפ֣וֹת שְׂרֻפָ֣ה שְׂרוּפָ֖ה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת׃ שָׂר֥וֹף שָׂרְפ֖וּ שָׂרְפ֛וֹ שָׂרְפ֣וּ שָׂרְפ֥וּ שָׂרַ֔ף שָׂרַ֖ף שָׂרַ֛ף שָׂרַ֜פְתָּ שָׂרַ֣ף שָׂרַ֣פְתִּי שָׂרַ֥ף שָׂרַ֥פְנוּ שֹׂרְפִ֤ים שֹׂרָ֑ף שרוף שרופה שרופות׃ שרף שרפה שרפו שרפות שרפים שרפם שרפנו שרפת שרפתי שרפתם תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּן תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֔נּוּ תִּשְׂרֹ֣ף תִּשְׂרֹ֥ף תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃ תִּשָּׂרֵֽף׃ תִשָּׂרֵ֖ף תִשָּׂרַֽפְנָה׃ תשרף תשרף׃ תשרפו׃ תשרפון תשרפנה׃ תשרפנו haś·śə·ru·p̄îm hasseruFim haśśərup̄îm lə·śā·rə·p̄ōw lesareFo ləśārəp̄ōw liś·rōp̄ lisRof liśrōp̄ niś·rōp̄ nisRof niśrōp̄ śā·rap̄ śā·rap̄·nū śā·rap̄·tā śā·rap̄·tî śā·rə·p̄ōw śā·rə·p̄ū śā·rō·wp̄ saRaf saRafnu saRafta saRafti śārap̄ śārap̄nū śārap̄tā śārap̄tî sareFo sareFu śārəp̄ōw śārəp̄ū saRof śārōwp̄ śə·rā·p̄ā·ṯam śə·rā·p̄ām śə·rōp̄ śə·ru·p̄āh śə·rū·p̄āh śə·ru·p̄ō·wṯ śə·rū·p̄ō·wṯ seraFam seraFatam śərāp̄ām śərāp̄āṯam seRof śərōp̄ seruFah seruFot śərup̄āh śərūp̄āh śərup̄ōwṯ śərūp̄ōwṯ śō·rāp̄ śō·rə·p̄îm soRaf śōrāp̄ soreFim śōrəp̄îm tiś·rə·p̄en·nū tiś·rə·p̄ūn tiś·rō·p̄ū tiś·rōp̄ ṯiś·śā·rap̄·nāh tiś·śā·rêp̄ ṯiś·śā·rêp̄ tisreFennu tisreFun tiśrəp̄ennū tiśrəp̄ūn tisRof tisRofu tiśrōp̄ tiśrōp̄ū tissaRafnah ṯiśśārap̄nāh tissaRef tiśśārêp̄ ṯiśśārêp̄ ū·śə·rā·p̄āh ū·śə·rā·p̄ām ū·śə·rā·p̄ōw ū·śə·rā·p̄u·hā ū·śə·rā·p̄ū·hā useraFah useraFam useraFo useraFuha ūśərāp̄āh ūśərāp̄ām ūśərāp̄ōw ūśərāp̄uhā ūśərāp̄ūhā vaesRof vaiyisreFah vaiyisreFem vaiyisreFu VaiyisreFuha vaiyisRof vaiyissareFu vehassoRef venisreFah vesaRaf vesarafTa vesareFu vetissaRef wā’eśrōp̄ wā·’eś·rōp̄ way·yiś·rə·p̄āh way·yiś·rə·p̄êm way·yiś·rə·p̄ū way·yiś·rə·p̄ū- way·yiś·rə·p̄ū·hā way·yiś·rōp̄ way·yiś·śā·rə·p̄ū wayyiśrəp̄āh wayyiśrəp̄êm wayyiśrəp̄ū wayyiśrəp̄ū- wayyiśrəp̄ūhā wayyiśrōp̄ wayyiśśārəp̄ū wə·haś·śō·rêp̄ wə·niś·rə·p̄āh wə·śā·rap̄ wə·śā·rap̄·tā wə·śā·rə·p̄ū wə·ṯiś·śā·rêp̄ wəhaśśōrêp̄ wəniśrəp̄āh wəśārap̄ wəśārap̄tā wəśārəp̄ū wəṯiśśārêp̄ yiś·rə·p̄ū yiś·rə·p̄ū- yiś·rō·p̄ū yiś·rōp̄ yiś·śā·rə·p̄ū yiś·śā·rêp̄ yisreFu yiśrəp̄ū yiśrəp̄ū- yisRof yisRofu yiśrōp̄ yiśrōp̄ū yissaRef yissareFu yiśśārêp̄ yiśśārəp̄ūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 11:3 HEB: נִלְבְּנָ֣ה לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י NAS: let us make bricks and burn [them] thoroughly. KJV: brick, and burn them throughly. INT: make brick and burn thoroughly used Genesis 38:24 Exodus 12:10 Exodus 29:14 Exodus 29:34 Exodus 32:20 Leviticus 4:12 Leviticus 4:12 Leviticus 4:21 Leviticus 4:21 Leviticus 6:30 Leviticus 7:17 Leviticus 7:19 Leviticus 8:17 Leviticus 8:32 Leviticus 9:11 Leviticus 10:6 Leviticus 10:16 Leviticus 13:52 Leviticus 13:52 Leviticus 13:55 Leviticus 13:57 Leviticus 16:27 Leviticus 16:28 Leviticus 19:6 117 Occurrences |