סָעַף (sa.aph)
sa.aph
to lop
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sa‘aph appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Isaiah 10:33. In this specific context, it describes the act of lopping off branches or boughs from a tree. The image is one of decisive, physical pruning, where the upper parts of a tree are removed to reduce its height or shape its form.
This single occurrence carries significant metaphorical weight. Isaiah uses the action to describe how the Lord will cut down Assyria’s pride. Just as a worker trims a dense canopy to make it manageable, God is depicted as actively reducing the power and arrogance of the invading army. The word highlights a deliberate act of removal rather than accidental breakage.
Because the term is so rare, its meaning is anchored entirely by this prophetic scene. It does not refer to general harvesting or casual gardening, but to a targeted intervention that diminishes something towering and imposing. The imagery serves to illustrate divine judgment as a precise and effective process of curbing human hubris.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb sa‘aph appears only once in Scripture, nestled within Isaiah 10:33. Here, it describes the physical act of lopping branches from a tree. The image is stark and deliberate: just as a worker trims a dense canopy to manage its growth, God acts to reduce the power of arrogant nations. This single occurrence anchors our understanding of divine judgment not as chaotic destruction, but as precise intervention.
For your faith life, this word offers comfort in times of overwhelming pride or oppression. It reminds us that God sees the towering heights of human arrogance and actively works to bring them low. You do not need to fight these battles alone; He handles the pruning. This assurance allows you to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that justice is both real and carefully executed.
When you face situations where power seems unjustly stacked against you, remember this image. God’s actions are purposeful. He removes what hinders righteousness with a clarity that human eyes often miss. Trust that He is at work, even when the process feels severe or sudden.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] about to lop off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְסָעֵ֥ף1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 10:33
Behold, the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low.
This verse uses sa‘aph to depict God actively lopping off the boughs of Assyria, symbolizing the deliberate reduction of their military pride and height.