סָרַף (sa.raph)
sa.raph
to burn
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The word saraph, appearing only once in Amos 6:14, is a variant spelling of the more common Hebrew verb for burning (H8313). In this specific instance, it functions as a participle describing God’s action against Israel. The text states that He will burn within the house of Jacob, using this form to emphasize the intensity and active nature of the judgment being declared.
While the standard root simply means "to burn," this particular spelling highlights the agentive aspect—the one who burns or the burning itself. It is not merely a description of fire consuming wood, but a metaphor for divine wrath that permeates and destroys from within. The use of this variant form in Amos underscores the severity of the coming disaster, distinguishing it from ordinary fires.
Lexical sources note that this spelling is rare and likely serves to intensify the meaning rather than change it fundamentally. By choosing this form, the prophet amplifies the image of God’s judgment as an all-consuming force. The word reminds readers that divine justice is not passive but actively purges corruption, leaving no room for ambiguity about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word saraph, meaning to burn, appears in Amos 6:10 describing a relative who burns bodies. This image paints a picture of overwhelming disaster where normal burial rites are impossible. The fire consumes everything, leaving no room for proper mourning or remembrance.
This vivid metaphor reminds us that sin has serious consequences. It is not a gentle correction but a force that purges corruption from within. God’s justice acts like a consuming fire, exposing what is hidden and destroying what opposes His holiness.
Yet this warning also points to our need for purity. We are called to live lives that reflect God’s light rather than darkness. May we seek His forgiveness and walk in the way of righteousness, trusting in His mercy even when judgment seems near.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the one who] burns/ him1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מְסָרְפ֗/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Amos 6:10
“When a man’s relative carries him, even he who burns him, to bring bodies out of the house, and asks him who is in the innermost parts of the house, ‘Is there yet any with you?’ And he says, ‘No;’ then he will say, ‘Hush! Indeed we must not mention Yahweh’s name.’
The word describes a relative burning bodies to dispose of them, highlighting the severity of the disaster where normal burial is impossible.