עָנָף (a.naph)
a.naph
branch
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun anaph refers to a branch or bough of a tree. It appears in the Old Testament primarily within legal and ritual contexts, describing physical parts of vegetation rather than metaphorical lineages.
This term occurs only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Leviticus 23:40. There, it is part of the command to take fruit from fine trees, palm fronds, branches of thick trees, and willows of the brook for the Feast of Tabernacles. The word specifies the leafy or woody extensions used in the celebration.
Its Aramaic equivalent is anaph (H6056), which carries the same meaning. The consistency between the Hebrew and Aramaic forms highlights a stable lexical tradition for describing tree limbs across different biblical languages.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anaph simply means a branch or bough of a tree. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Leviticus 23:40. Here, it is part of a command to gather specific vegetation for the Feast of Tabernacles. This includes branches from thick trees, which were used alongside palm fronds and willows.
For your faith life, this single occurrence reminds us that worship often involves tangible, physical elements. God did not ask for abstract ideas alone but for real branches and fruits. This shows that our gratitude can be expressed through the created world around us. Using natural items in celebration connects us to the earth and to God’s provision.
When you think about joy before the Lord, consider how ordinary things like tree limbs can become part of sacred moments. This verse invites us to see beauty in nature as a way to honor God. It is a simple but profound reminder that rejoicing can be both physical and spiritual at the same time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ branch[es] of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/עֲנַ֥ף1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 23:40
You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days.
This verse specifies the 'boughs of thick trees' as one of the four required elements for the Feast of Tabernacles, highlighting its role in communal worship.