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צָפָה (tsa.phah)

tsa.phah

to overlay

H6823 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 40 verses

H:V

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
40 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb tsa.phah primarily means to cover or overlay, most often with a sheet of metal like gold or silver. In the Old Testament, it appears in contexts describing the careful construction of sacred objects, such as the Ark of the Covenant and the interior of Solomon’s Temple. The word emphasizes the act of sheathing an underlying material, usually wood, with a precious outer layer to protect it and display its value.

While the root may share an ancient connection with words for "watching" or "looking out," the biblical usage here is strictly physical and architectural. It describes the tangible process of plating surfaces, as seen when artisans overlaid the Ark’s wooden frame with gold (Exodus 25:11) or when Solomon covered the temple walls with cedar and gold (1 Kings 6:22). This usage highlights the contrast between the humble core material and the glorious finish.

A striking example of its range appears in Proverbs 26:23, where a "burnished bronze" coating is used metaphorically for deceitful lips. Here, the word illustrates how an attractive exterior can hide a corrupt interior. The term thus captures both the literal craftsmanship of biblical worship spaces and the deceptive nature of appearances that mask true character.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word tsa.phah describes a process of covering something humble with something precious, often overlaying wood with gold or bronze. In the construction of the Tabernacle and Solomon’s Temple, this technique protected the structural core while displaying its sacred value. It reminds us that God cares about the details of how we present what is holy, ensuring that the inner reality is honored by an outward beauty.

This imagery extends beyond architecture into our daily lives. Just as a vessel was sheathed to reflect glory, Christians are called to let their inner character shine through their actions. The contrast between the hidden wood and the visible gold illustrates how true worth often lies beneath the surface, waiting to be revealed with care and integrity.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • and/ he overlaid16×
  • and/ you will overlay10×
  • he overlaid6×
  • and/ he overlaid/ it6×
  • overlaid2×
  • you will overlay/ it1×
  • you will overlay1×
  • they are spreading out1×
  • he had overlaid1×
  • and/ they overlaid1×
  • and/ he overlaid/ them1×
  • and/ he overlaid [them]1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • וַ/יְצַ֥ף9×
  • וְ/צִפִּיתָ֥7×
  • צִפָּ֥ה4×
  • וַ/יְצַפֵּ֖/הוּ4×
  • צִפָּ֣ה2×
  • וַ/יְצַ֨ף2×
  • וְ/צִפָּ֣ה2×
  • וְ/צִפִּיתָ֤2×
  • תְּצַפֶּ֣ה1×
  • תְּצַפֶּ֑/נּוּ1×
  • צָפֹ֥ה1×
  • צִפָּ֔ה1×

Key Verses

  • Exodus 25:11
    You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around it.

    This verse establishes the standard for the Ark’s construction, requiring both interior and exterior overlay to signify that God’s presence must be fully honored from every angle.

  • Exodus 30:3
    You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding around it.

    The instruction to overlay the altar’s horns with gold emphasizes that even the most powerful points of contact in worship must reflect purity and divine glory.

  • I Kings 6:20
    Within the inner sanctuary was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in width, and twenty cubits in its height. He overlaid it with pure gold. He covered the altar with cedar.

    Here the term highlights the Holy of Holies, where the entire inner sanctuary was overlaid with gold to mark it as the most sacred space in Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does tsa.phah mean in the Bible?

It is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to overlay or cover with a layer of metal, such as gold or bronze. It appears frequently in Exodus and Kings when describing the construction of sacred furniture and temple structures.

Why was wood overlaid with gold in the Tabernacle?

The wood provided the structural strength for the Ark and tables, while the gold overlay protected it and signified its holiness. This combination showed that God’s presence was both sturdy and glorious.

Is tsa.phah used metaphorically in Proverbs?

Yes, in Proverbs 26:23 it describes lips that are silver-coated but hide wickedness. This usage contrasts the attractive exterior with a corrupt interior, warning against deceptive appearances.

Every Occurrence (40 verses across 6 books)

Exodus 23 verses
Exodus 25:11

You shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and outside, and you shall make a gold molding around…

Exodus 25:13

You shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exodus 25:24

You shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

Exodus 25:28

You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them.

Exodus 26:29

You shall overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars. You shall overlay the…

Exodus 26:32

You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, on four sockets of silver.

Exodus 26:37

You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold. You…

Exodus 27:2

You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze.

Exodus 27:6

You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.

Exodus 30:3

You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top, its sides around it, and its horns; and you shall make a gold molding…

Exodus 30:5

You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exodus 36:34

He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

Exodus 36:36

He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of…

Exodus 36:38

and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five…

Exodus 37:2

He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it.

Exodus 37:4

He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 37:11

He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it.

Exodus 37:15

He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table.

Exodus 37:26

He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it.

Exodus 37:28

He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold.

Exodus 38:2

He made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.

Exodus 38:6

He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze.

Exodus 38:28

From the one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and…

I Kings 9 verses
II Kings 1 verse
II Chronicles 5 verses
Proverbs 1 verse
Isaiah 1 verse