סְפַרְוִי (se.phar.vi)
se.phar.vi
Sepharvaim
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The noun sephari refers to an inhabitant of Sepharvaim, a city mentioned in the Old Testament. The term appears only once in Scripture, specifically in 2 Kings 17:31. In this context, it identifies one of the groups brought by the Assyrian king to settle in Samaria after the fall of Israel.
The name Sepharvaim is generally understood to mean "enumeration" or "counting," suggesting a place associated with records or population lists. The suffix -i denotes belonging or origin, making sephari a demonym for someone from that location. This single occurrence highlights the historical reality of forced resettlement policies used by empires to disrupt local identities and loyalties.
Its limited usage underscores how these foreign populations were integrated into the religious landscape of Samaria, each bringing their own gods and customs. The text notes that the Sepharvites burned their children in fire as an offering to their deities, illustrating the diverse and often conflicting spiritual practices present in the region at that time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sepharvites appears in a difficult passage about cultural conflict and religious confusion. It identifies people brought to Samaria by Assyria, who practiced child sacrifice to their gods. This historical detail shows how foreign powers used resettlement to break local ties and impose new loyalties.
For believers today, this word serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of syncretism. When we mix our faith with worldly values or allow fear to dictate our actions, we drift from God’s clear commands. The story warns against compromising core beliefs for the sake of survival or social acceptance.
Yet, even in these dark chapters of history, God remains sovereign. He uses complex events to fulfill His purposes and protect His people. We can find comfort knowing that God sees our struggles with identity and pressure, offering us a path of integrity through Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ Sepharvites1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/סְפַרְוִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 17:31
and the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak; and the Sepharvites burned their children in the fire to Adrammelech and Anammelech, the gods of Sepharvaim.
This verse explicitly links the Sepharvites to the horrific practice of child sacrifice, highlighting the extreme spiritual corruption present in the resettled communities.