רֶצֶף (re.tseph)
re.tseph
coal
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word reṣep refers to a hot, glowing stone or coal. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Kings 19:12, where it describes the "sound of a thin silence" following the wind, earthquake, and fire. In this context, it likely denotes the crackling embers or the faint glow of burning stones, capturing a moment of intense, quiet heat.
This term is a variant spelling of ritspah (H7531), which carries the same meaning of a glowing stone or coal. The sources indicate that reṣep emphasizes the visual and thermal properties of the material—its brightness and heat—rather than its function as fuel. This distinction highlights the sensory detail in the narrative, focusing on the lingering presence of fire after the main event.
Its rarity makes this single occurrence particularly significant. By using a word associated with glowing embers, the text invites readers to perceive the divine presence not just in dramatic displays, but in the subtle, residual warmth that remains. This usage underscores the idea that God’s voice can be found in the quiet aftermath of powerful events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word reṣep describes the glowing embers that remain after a fire has burned through its fuel. In the story of Elijah on Mount Horeb, this term captures the quiet warmth left behind when the loud wind, earthquake, and fire have passed. It reminds us that God’s presence is not always found in the most dramatic moments, but often in the gentle, lingering heat that remains.
When life feels overwhelming or chaotic, we might look for God in the big signs. Yet this rare word invites us to notice the subtle details—the quiet after the storm, the small comforts that sustain us. Just as Elijah rested by the glowing coals and a jar of water, we too can find strength in the simple, peaceful moments where God’s care is quietly present.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- hot coals1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רְצָפִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 19:6
He looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on the coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again.
This verse mentions 'coals' (reṣep) in the context of a cake baked on them, showing how this glowing heat provided practical sustenance and comfort to Elijah after his exhausting journey.