סָפַק (sa.phaq)
sa.phaq
to slap; to suffice
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb sapak primarily describes the physical act of slapping or clapping hands. In its basic sense, it captures a sharp, percussive motion, whether directed at a person as a form of chastisement or applied to water in a splashing action. This concrete imagery grounds the word in bodily experience rather than abstract thought.
A significant shift occurs in the Hiphil stem, where the meaning expands from physical impact to sufficiency or adequacy. Here, the idea of "causing to clap" evolves into the notion of meeting a need or being enough. This semantic bridge connects the forceful nature of a slap with the finality of a satisfied requirement.
The sources highlight its use in 1 Kings 20:10, where the king of Aram boasts that even if Barak’s forces are as numerous as the dust of the earth, he will still defeat them. The text uses sapak to convey that his strength is sufficient, or "enough," to prevail. This usage underscores a confidence in personal power that stands in stark contrast to reliance on divine aid.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb סָפַק carries a striking duality in Scripture, moving from the sharp physicality of a slap or clap to the quiet assurance of sufficiency. In its basic sense, it describes a percussive action—hands clapping in derision or anger. Yet in the Hiphil stem, it shifts to mean being enough or satisfying a need. This linguistic bridge reminds us that while human confidence often manifests as loud boasts, true strength lies in meeting what is required.
In 1 Kings 20:10, the king of Aram claims his forces are sufficient to defeat Israel, relying on his own power. This stands in contrast to the biblical call to trust in God’s provision. When we face situations where our resources feel thin, this word invites us to look beyond our own capacity. It suggests that adequacy is not found in the volume of our efforts but in the faithfulness of the One who sustains us.
Understanding this range helps us see how Scripture uses concrete actions to teach spiritual truths. Whether it is the shame of rejection or the peace of being enough, these images ground our faith in reality. We are invited to rest in the knowledge that God’s provision is sufficient for every need, far exceeding what we can achieve on our own.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they have clapped1×
- they clap hands1×
- someone will clap1×
- it will suffice1×
- he slaps/ them1×
- he claps1×
- and/ it will splash1×
- and/ he clapped1×
- I slapped1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סָפַ֖קְתִּי1×
- סָֽפְק֨וּ1×
- סְפָקָ֗/ם1×
- יַשְׂפִּֽיקוּ\׃1×
- יִשְׂפֹּק֙1×
- יִשְׂפֹּ֣ק1×
- יִסְפּ֑וֹק1×
- וַ/יִּסְפֹּ֖ק1×
- וְ/סָפַ֤ק1×
Key Verses
-
Lamentations 2:15
All that pass by clap their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, “Is this the city that men called ‘The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth’?”
Here the word describes people clapping hands in derision at Jerusalem, illustrating how the physical act of clapping can express scorn and rejection.
-
Job 27:23
Men will clap their hands at him, and will hiss him out of his place.
The text uses this verb to depict the reaction of people who clap their hands at the wicked man, signaling a finality of judgment and social exclusion.