צָפַן (tsa.phan)
tsa.phan
to treasure
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tsa.phan means to hide, conceal, or store away. It covers a wide range of actions, from physically covering something up to metaphorically keeping wisdom safe in one’s heart. In Proverbs 2:1 and 7:1, it describes storing up God’s commands within the heart, while Job 10:13 uses it to describe how God hides His power or plans.
Its meaning shifts depending on context. It can mean to protect, as in Psalm 27:5 where God hides a person in His shelter. But it also describes danger, like when enemies lie in wait to ambush someone (Proverbs 1:11; Psalm 10:8). This duality shows that hiding is not always negative; it can be an act of care or a threat of violence.
Translators often use "lay up" or "hide" for this word. The core idea is preservation through concealment. Whether storing treasures for the future or hiding from harm, the word emphasizes keeping something safe from view or out of reach.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsa.phan suggests that what matters most is often kept close, hidden from public view but deeply held within. When Proverbs speaks of storing up commandments in the heart, it points to a quiet discipline. It is not about displaying piety for others to see. Instead, it describes an internal treasure that guides your steps when no one else is watching.
This concept brings comfort during difficult seasons. Just as a mother hid her child to protect him from harm, God hides those who trust in Him within His shelter. The act of hiding here is not about shame or fear. It is about safety and preservation. You are kept safe in His presence until the trouble passes.
Living with this word means valuing what is unseen by the world but precious to God. It invites you to hold His words close, like a treasure chest locked away for your own good. This inner storehouse becomes your strength when external circumstances feel unstable or threatening.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will treasure2×
- they lie hidden2×
- he stores up2×
- and/ she hid/ him2×
- you will hide/ me1×
- you hid1×
- you have kept1×
- to hide/ him1×
- they store up1×
- let us lie hidden1×
- it has been concealed1×
- he will conceal/ me1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּצְפֹּ֥ן2×
- צָפַ֣נְתָּ2×
- תַּצְפִּנֵ֗/נִי1×
- צֹפְנֶ֥י/הָ1×
- צָפַ֥נְתִּי1×
- צָפַ֣נְתִּי1×
- צָֽפַן\־1×
- צְפוּנָ֖ה1×
- נִצְפַּ֥ן1×
- נִצְפְּנָ֖ה1×
- נִצְפְּנ֥וּ1×
- נִצְפְּנ֣וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
This verse shows the practical purpose of hiding God's word: to provide a moral anchor that prevents sin when temptation arises.
-
Psalms 27:5
For in the day of trouble, he will keep me secretly in his pavilion. In the secret place of his tabernacle, he will hide me. He will lift me up on a rock.
Here the word shifts from human action to divine protection, illustrating how God conceals His people in His tabernacle during times of trouble.
-
Proverbs 2:1
My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you,
This occurrence links the act of storing commandments directly to receiving wisdom and understanding, framing obedience as a form of preservation.
-
Job 14:13
“Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time and remember me!
Job uses this word to ask for temporary concealment in Sheol, highlighting the human desire for rest and protection from divine wrath.