צָעִיף (tsa.iph)
tsa.iph
shawl
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsaiph refers to a large piece of fabric used as a wrapper, shawl, or veil. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, all within the narrative of Genesis. In these instances, the word describes a garment that covers the body, serving both practical and social functions for the wearer.
The term likely denotes a substantial cloth rather than a light scarf, given its use as a covering that can be removed or adjusted. The most notable occurrence is in Genesis 24:65, where Rebekah asks her servant who the approaching man is. Upon hearing his reply, she takes her tsaiph and covers herself. This action highlights the word’s association with modesty and privacy in ancient Near Eastern culture.
Translators typically render tsaiph as "veil" or "shawl," depending on the context. While some versions emphasize the covering aspect ("veil"), others focus on its form as a garment ("shawl"). The distinction is minor, as the word encompasses both ideas: a large cloth used to wrap or conceal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsaiph describes a substantial cloth used as a shawl or veil in ancient Israel. It was not merely decorative but served practical roles, offering warmth and protection from the elements. More significantly, it functioned as a marker of social status and modesty. When a woman covered herself with this garment, she signaled her identity within the community and her adherence to cultural norms regarding propriety.
In Genesis 24:65, Rebekah uses her tsaiph upon meeting Isaac. This simple act of covering herself reflects a deep sense of reverence and humility in the presence of a future husband she had not yet met. It reminds us that our outward appearance can express inner attitudes of respect and seriousness about relationships. The garment becomes a tangible symbol of her transition from daughter to wife, grounded in faith and obedience.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the cultural context of biblical narratives. It shows how everyday objects carried spiritual and social weight. We are encouraged to consider how our own actions and appearances reflect our values and respect for others, fostering dignity in our interactions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with the/ veil1×
- veil/ her1×
- the/ veil1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְעִיפָ֖/הּ1×
- הַ/צָּעִ֖יף1×
- בַּ/צָּעִיף֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 24:65
She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself.
This verse highlights the word's association with modesty and reverence, as Rebekah covers herself upon realizing she is meeting her future husband.
-
Genesis 38:14
She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate of Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah; for she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she wasn’t given to him as a wife.
Here the garment marks a shift in status, as Tamar removes her widowhood clothes to adopt a different social identity.
-
Genesis 38:19
She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
The removal of the veil signifies a return to her previous state, showing how the item functioned as a visible marker of her current situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word tsaiph mean?
Why did Rebekah cover herself with her tsaiph?
How is tsaiph different from other words for clothing?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 3 verses
She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.”…
Genesis 38:14She took off the garments of her widowhood, and covered herself with her veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in the gate…
Genesis 38:19She arose, and went away, and put off her veil from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.