עָדַף (a.daph)
a.daph
to remain
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb `a.daph` conveys the idea of remaining over or being in excess. It describes a state where something is left behind after the main portion has been taken or used, resulting in a surplus. This word appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily within the legal and ritual texts of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
In these contexts, `a.daph` often refers to leftover food or materials that remain after a sacrifice or meal. For instance, it is used to describe portions of sacrificial meat that must be burned because they have remained over until morning (Leviticus 7:15-18; 19:6). The term highlights the importance of proper disposal and the consequences of neglecting ritual purity regarding these excess items.
The word underscores a practical concern in ancient Israelite worship: nothing consecrated or set apart should be wasted or treated carelessly. The surplus is not merely extra; it carries specific instructions for its handling, reflecting a theology where even the remnants of holy things require respect and order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ‘adaph describes what remains after the main portion has been taken or used. It points to a surplus, a leftover, or an excess that exists beyond the immediate need. In the Old Testament, this term often appears in legal texts concerning sacrifices and offerings. When meat from a peace offering was not eaten by the third day, it became ‘adaph—leftover—and had to be burned because it was no longer acceptable for consumption.
This concept teaches us about stewardship and reverence for what is set apart. The Israelites were instructed not to waste or carelessly discard these remnants. Even the surplus carried weight; it required specific handling to maintain ritual purity. For believers today, this reminds us that God cares about order and respect in all things, including how we treat resources and gifts given to us.
While the ancient context focused on physical leftovers from meals or sacrifices, the principle extends to our daily lives. We are called to handle everything with care, recognizing that nothing is truly insignificant in God’s eyes. Whether it is time, talent, or treasure, what remains after fulfilling our duties should still be managed with integrity and gratitude.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ surplus3×
- who/ are in excess1×
- which/ is surplus1×
- those/ [who] were in excess1×
- those/ [who] are in excess1×
- in the/ surplus1×
- he had a surplus1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ֣/עֹדֵ֔ף2×
- הָ/עֹדֶ֔פֶת1×
- הָ/עֹדֵ֔ף1×
- הָ/עֹדְפִ֖ים1×
- הָ/עֹֽדְפִים֙1×
- הָ/עֹ֣דְפִ֔ים1×
- הֶעְדִּיף֙1×
- בָּ/עֹדֵ֔ף1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 16:18
When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating.
This verse shows that when God provides exactly what is needed for each person, there is no ‘adaph, or surplus left over.
-
Numbers 3:46
For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites,
The term identifies the excess number of firstborn Israelites over the Levites, necessitating a redemption payment for those remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ‘adaph mean?
How is ‘adaph different from other words for 'leftover'?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 3 books)
Exodus 4 verses
When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They…
Exodus 16:23He said to them, “This is that which Yahweh has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Bake that…
Exodus 26:12The overhanging part that remains of the curtains of the tent—the half curtain that remains—shall hang over the back of…
Exodus 26:13The cubit on the one side and the cubit on the other side, of that which remains in the length of the curtains of the…