סָפָה (sa.phah)
sa.phah
to snatch
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb saphah describes a sudden, violent removal, often translated as "snatch away" or "sweep away." It conveys an image of forceful displacement rather than gradual decline. In the Old Testament, it frequently appears in contexts where people or things are taken by power, such as when enemies capture a city or when a person is abruptly removed from life.
This word carries a heavy sense of loss and helplessness against overwhelming force. It is used in Genesis to describe how Lot was snatched from Sodom before its destruction (Genesis 19:16), highlighting divine intervention that rescues by removing someone from danger. Similarly, it appears in Isaiah and Samuel to depict nations or individuals being swept away by war or judgment, emphasizing the abruptness of their downfall.
Its root suggests a swift motion, like wind sweeping debris or a hand grabbing something. Translators often choose "snatch" or "carry off" to capture this immediacy. The term underscores that what is taken cannot be recovered, marking a definitive end to the subject's presence in its former context.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word saphah paints a picture of sudden force, like wind sweeping debris or a hand grabbing something in haste. It describes a removal that is abrupt and often violent, leaving no room for gradual decline or recovery. In the Old Testament, this verb frequently appears when people are taken by overwhelming power, whether by enemies capturing a city or by divine judgment sweeping away the wicked.
Yet there is a profound comfort in how this word is used in Genesis 19:15-17. When angels urged Lot to escape Sodom, they warned him not to look back lest he be consumed. Here, saphah describes not just destruction, but a rescue that requires immediate action. God’s intervention was swift, pulling Lot out of danger before the city fell. This reminds us that divine protection can be sudden and decisive.
For your faith, this word highlights the reality that some things in life are beyond our control. We cannot hold on to what is being taken by forces greater than ourselves. Instead, we are called to trust in God’s timing and power. Whether facing loss or awaiting deliverance, we can rest in the knowledge that God sees the end from the beginning and acts with purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you should be swept away3×
- you will be swept away1×
- will you sweep away1×
- will you sweep [it] away1×
- to/ add1×
- to add1×
- it will sweep away1×
- it has dwindled away1×
- being swept away1×
- and/ people will snatch away1×
- and/ he will be carried away1×
- [is what] is swept away1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּסָּפֽוּ\׃\ \פ1×
- תִּסָּפֶֽה\׃1×
- תִּסָּפֶ֖ה1×
- תִּסָּפ֖וּ1×
- תִּסְפֶּה֙1×
- תִּסְפֶּֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- תִּסְפֶּ֔ה1×
- סָפְתָ֤ה1×
- סְפ֥וֹת1×
- נִסְפֶּ֥ה1×
- נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה1×
- לִ/סְפּ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:17
It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be consumed!”
This verse uses saphah to describe the urgent command to escape Sodom, highlighting divine rescue through sudden removal from danger.
-
Numbers 16:26
He spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins!”
Here the word warns the congregation against touching the property of Korah’s rebels, emphasizing that sin can be consumed by God’s judgment if approached carelessly.
-
I Samuel 12:25
But if you keep doing evil, you will be consumed, both you and your king.”
Samuel uses this term to warn Israel that disobedience will lead to their consumption alongside their king, showing the collective consequence of rebellion.
-
Proverbs 13:23
An abundance of food is in poor people’s fields, but injustice sweeps it away.
This proverb illustrates how injustice can suddenly sweep away the abundance of the poor, demonstrating the fragility of earthly security without righteousness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word saphah mean?
How is saphah different from other words for destruction?
Where does this word appear in the Bible?
Why is this word significant for understanding God’s judgment?
Every Occurrence (17 verses across 9 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked?
Genesis 18:24What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who…
Genesis 19:15When the morning came, then the angels hurried Lot, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are…
Genesis 19:17It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t…