סֹפֶ֫רֶת (so.phe.ret)
so.phe.ret
Sophereth
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Sophereth designates a specific ancestor of a family that returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian exile under Zerubbabel. Listed in Ezra 2:55 and Nehemiah 7:57, this individual heads a household identified as Hassophereth, a variant form found in the parallel genealogical records.
Etymologically, the name derives from the Hebrew root for "writing" or "scribe." This linguistic connection suggests that the family likely held a role involving literacy or administrative duties during the restoration period. In an era when written records were essential for rebuilding community structure and religious identity, such a background would have been significant.
These two biblical references serve as historical markers rather than narrative accounts. They preserve the memory of ordinary families who participated in the return from exile. The repetition of the name across Ezra and Nehemiah highlights the careful preservation of lineage, ensuring that each household could trace its roots back to the restoration era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sophereth connects us to a time when writing was not just a skill but a sacred duty. Derived from the root for 'scribe,' it points to families who preserved the community’s history and religious identity through careful record-keeping. In Ezra and Nehemiah, this name appears alongside others returning from exile, showing that ordinary households played vital roles in rebuilding Jerusalem.
For your faith today, this reminds us that every part of God’s story matters. Whether you keep records or share a message, your work contributes to the larger narrative of restoration. The Bible preserves these names not for their fame, but to show that God values faithfulness in everyday roles. You are part of this ongoing story of renewal and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Sophereth1×
- Sophereth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סוֹפֶ֖רֶת1×
- הַ/סֹּפֶ֖רֶת1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:55
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
This verse lists Sophereth among Solomon’s servants, highlighting the family’s specific role in the post-exilic community structure.
-
Nehemiah 7:57
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
The parallel record confirms the family’s lineage, emphasizing the importance of accurate genealogies for identity during the restoration.