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סְפֹרָה (se.pho.rah)

se.pho.rah

number

H5615 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The noun sephorah simply means "number" or "count." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Psalm 71:15. In this specific context, it refers to the numerical count of God’s mighty deeds.

While the common word for number is mispar, sephorah emphasizes the act of counting or enumeration itself. Its single occurrence highlights a desire to recount and proclaim the magnitude of divine actions, serving as a literary marker for listing or tallying God's works in praise.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

This rare word for 'number' appears just once in Scripture, anchoring our praise in the tangible reality of what God has done. It invites us to move beyond vague feelings and actively count the specific instances of His faithfulness in our lives. When we take time to list these moments, our gratitude becomes sharper and more grounded.

In Psalm 71:15, the psalmist uses this term to describe recounting God's righteousness and salvation throughout the day. This suggests that remembering is not passive; it is an active exercise of faith. By acknowledging the count of His deeds, we acknowledge His consistent presence, even when we cannot fully grasp the totality of His work.

Let this word encourage you to keep a simple record of grace. Whether it is a answered prayer or a moment of peace, naming these events helps your heart rest in the reliability of God. You are invited to look back with thanksgiving, knowing that every counted blessing points to His enduring love.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • numbers1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • סְפֹרֽוֹת\׃1×

Key Verses

  • Psalms 71:15
    My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.

    The word emphasizes the active effort to recount and proclaim the specific count of God's righteousness and salvation rather than just stating them generally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does sephorah mean in the Bible?

Sephorah is a Hebrew noun that means 'number' or 'count.' Unlike other words for quantity, it specifically highlights the act of enumeration or tallying. It appears only once in the Old Testament, where it refers to listing God's mighty deeds.

How is sephorah different from mispar?

While both words relate to numbers, mispar is the common term for a number or calculation. Sephorah carries a stronger emphasis on the process of counting or the result of an enumeration. In Psalm 71:15, it underscores the deliberate act of recounting God's works.

Why does this word only appear once?

Its single occurrence in Psalm 71:15 gives it special weight as a literary marker for praise. The psalmist uses it to signal a shift toward listing specific acts of salvation. This rarity makes the verse stand out as a focused declaration of God's faithfulness.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Psalms 1 verse
Psalms 71:15

My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure.