מִשְׂרָפָה (mis.ra.phah)
mis.ra.phah
burning
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun misraifah denotes a place of burning or a site where something is consumed by fire. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only twice, both within prophetic literature addressing judgment and purification.
In Jeremiah 19:5, the word describes a valley designated for sacrifices to Baal, highlighting its use as a location associated with pagan ritual and defilement. Isaiah 66:24 employs the term to depict the aftermath of divine judgment, where the corpses of rebels are left to be consumed by fire outside Jerusalem.
The word derives from the root saraph, meaning "to burn." Its limited usage underscores a specific theological image: fire as an instrument of either idolatrous corruption or final, irreversible judgment. Translators typically render it as "burning" or "place of burning," preserving the stark imagery of destruction without elaboration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word misraifah points to a place of burning or a site where something is consumed by fire. It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within prophetic literature addressing judgment and purification. In Jeremiah 19:5, it describes a valley designated for sacrifices to Baal, highlighting its use as a location associated with pagan ritual and defilement. Isaiah 66:24 employs the term to depict the aftermath of divine judgment, where the corpses of rebels are left to be consumed by fire outside Jerusalem.
This limited usage underscores a specific theological image: fire as an instrument of either idolatrous corruption or final, irreversible judgment. Translators typically render it as "burning" or "place of burning," preserving the stark imagery of destruction without elaboration. The word derives from the root saraph, meaning "to burn." Its presence in Scripture reminds us of the seriousness with which God views idolatry and rebellion, while also pointing to the ultimate purification that comes through His justice.
For your faith, this word offers a sobering perspective on the consequences of turning away from God. It invites reflection on the importance of remaining faithful to Him, avoiding the pitfalls of idolatry, and trusting in His righteous judgment. While the imagery is stark, it ultimately points to God's holiness and His commitment to justice. May this understanding deepen your reverence for God and your desire to live in accordance with His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- burnings of1×
- and/ like/ [the] burnings of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת1×
- וּֽ/כְ/מִשְׂרְפ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 34:5
You will die in peace; and with the burnings of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they will make a burning for you. They will lament you, saying, “Ah Lord!” for I have spoken the word,’ says Yahweh.”
This verse uses the word to describe a royal funeral rite, contrasting the honor given to a faithful king with the judgment awaiting others.
-
Isaiah 33:12
The peoples will be like the burning of lime, like thorns that are cut down and burned in the fire.
Here the term illustrates how nations opposing God will be consumed like thorns in a fire, emphasizing the futility of resistance against divine authority.