סָפַן (sa.phan)
sa.phan
to cover
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb saphan means to cover a surface, specifically with boards or panelling. It appears only six times in the Old Testament, mostly describing the construction of sacred spaces. In 1 Kings and Jeremiah, it refers to lining the walls of the temple and its inner rooms with cedar planks. This usage highlights a practical building technique rather than a metaphorical covering.
The word carries a sense of structural completion and protection. By sheathing the interior walls, builders created a smooth, finished surface that concealed the underlying framework. The participle form describes something that is already panelled or wainscotted. This concrete imagery emphasizes order and care in the preparation of holy spaces.
Its rarity makes each occurrence significant. When used for the temple’s interior, it underscores the attention to detail required for God’s dwelling place. The term does not appear in poetic or prophetic metaphors about covering sin or shame. Instead, it remains firmly rooted in physical construction, marking a specific stage in building projects where walls are sealed and finished.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word saphan describes the careful act of covering walls with cedar planks during the construction of Solomon’s temple. This was not merely aesthetic; it concealed the rough framework, creating a smooth and finished interior space fit for God’s presence. The builders took great care to ensure every surface was sealed and protected, reflecting a deep reverence for the sanctity of the dwelling place.
When we consider how much effort went into sheathing these walls, we see that God values order and detail in His holy spaces. This physical preparation mirrors the spiritual care Christians are called to show in their lives and worship. Just as the temple was built with precision, our hearts and communities can be prepared with intentionality, creating environments where God’s presence is honored.
Even when the temple fell into disrepair, as seen in Haggai, the memory of that careful covering remained significant. It reminds us that maintaining what is holy requires ongoing attention. We are invited to reflect on how we prepare our own lives and spaces for God, ensuring they are not just functional, but truly fitting for His glory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [it was] paneled2×
- covered1×
- and/ paneled1×
- and/ he covered1×
- [was] reserved1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/סָפ֣וּן2×
- סָפ֑וּן1×
- סְפוּנִ֑ים1×
- וַ/יִּסְפֹּ֤ן1×
- וְ/סָפֻ֣ן1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 6:9
So he built the house and finished it; and he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar.
This verse marks the completion of the main structure, where cedar planks were used to cover the entire house, signifying the final stage of interior finishing.
-
I Kings 7:3
It was covered with cedar above over the forty-five beams that were on the pillars, fifteen in a row.
Here the covering extends over the beams and pillars, showing how the cedar sheathing integrated with the structural supports to create a unified whole.
-
Jeremiah 22:14
who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house and spacious rooms,’ and cuts out windows for himself, with a cedar ceiling, and painted with red.
The prophet uses this term to criticize a king’s pride in his lavish, paneled home, contrasting its beautiful exterior covering with moral decay inside.
-
Haggai 1:4
“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste?
This occurrence highlights the contrast between the people’s comfortable, cedar-paneled homes and the neglected state of God’s temple, urging them to prioritize His house.