צָלָף (tsa.laph)
tsa.laph
Zalaph
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper name Tsalaph appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Nehemiah 3:30 as the father of Hanun. This brief mention places him among the families who contributed to the restoration of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile. His identity is preserved not through personal deeds or speeches, but through his lineage and participation in this communal act of rebuilding.
Linguistically, the name likely derives from a root meaning "to wound" or possibly relates to the caper plant found in later Hebrew usage. While the exact semantic connection remains debated, the name serves as a historical marker for a specific family involved in the post-exotic return. Its solitary occurrence highlights how individual lives are woven into the broader narrative of national restoration, often remembered simply through genealogical records rather than extensive biographical detail.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Tsalaph appears in Nehemiah 3:30 as the father of Hanun, a man who helped repair Jerusalem’s walls after the exile. This brief mention shows how ordinary families played a vital role in restoring their community. Though we know little about him personally, his participation reminds us that God values quiet obedience and shared labor.
In our own lives, we may feel insignificant compared to larger historical events or grand spiritual milestones. Yet Tsalaph’s story encourages us that every contribution matters when done for the common good. Whether repairing a wall or supporting a neighbor, your faithful steps are part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zalaph1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צָלָ֛ף1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 3:30
After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room.
This verse identifies Hanun as the son of Zalaph, placing him among those who physically rebuilt Jerusalem's defenses after exile.