צְפִיר (tse.phir)
tse.phir
male goat
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun tsephir refers specifically to a male goat or he-goat. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the book of Ezra, marking it as a rare lexical item in that language.
In Ezra 6:17, the word is used in the plural construct form to describe the animals offered for a sin offering during the dedication of the rebuilt temple. This usage aligns with broader biblical patterns where goats served as ritual sacrifices, distinguishing this term from its Hebrew counterpart, tsa’ir.
Though limited in occurrence, its presence in Ezra highlights the continuity of worship practices among the returned exiles. The specific mention of he-goats underscores the precision required in temple rites, reflecting a community reestablishing its religious identity under Persian rule.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsephir refers specifically to a male goat, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible within Ezra 6:17. This rare term describes the animals offered during the dedication of the rebuilt temple. Its presence highlights the careful attention to detail required in worship practices as the returned exiles reestablished their religious identity under Persian rule.
For your faith, this single occurrence reminds us that God values precision and reverence in how we approach Him. The community did not offer just any animal but followed specific instructions for a sin offering. This shows that sincere worship involves both heart and obedience to God's commands. When you seek God, remember that He appreciates the care and intentionality you bring to your prayers and devotion.
This verse also points to the broader biblical pattern where goats served as ritual sacrifices. The twelve male goats represented the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing unity and collective repentance. In your own life, consider how your personal faith connects with the wider community of believers. Together, we offer our lives as living sacrifices, honoring God through shared worship and mutual support.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he-goats of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/צְפִירֵ֨י1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:17
They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
This is the only occurrence of tsephir in the Hebrew Bible, where it specifies the male goats offered as a sin offering for all Israel during the temple dedication.