רִצְפָּה (rits.pah)
rits.pah
pavement; glowing stone
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun ritspah refers to a paved surface or pavement, often composed of glowing stone or coal-like material. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes hard, prepared ground rather than natural earth. This word appears in only three verses, linking distinct historical periods through its physical description.
Its usage spans from the royal courts of Israel to the Persian empire. Chronicles mentions it in relation to temple preparations, while Esther uses it to describe the vivid flooring of King Ahasuerus’s banquet hall (Esther 1:6). Isaiah also employs the term when describing the restored city’s foundations (Isaiah 60:11), suggesting durability and honor.
The root likely connects to words for coal or glowing embers, implying a surface that might appear dark, polished, or even fiery under certain light. This etymology highlights the material’s intensity and permanence. Translators typically render it as "pavement" or "flagstone," capturing its function as a solid, intentional foundation for significant events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ritspah describes a surface prepared for significance, often made of polished stone or glowing material. In II Chronicles, it is the ground where Israel bowed in awe as fire consumed the sacrifice and God’s glory filled the temple. This pavement held the weight of worship at a pivotal moment in history.
Esther uses the term to depict the lavish flooring of King Ahasuerus’s banquet hall, painted with colors like red and black marble. Isaiah envisions it again as part of a restored city, suggesting durability and honor for those who dwell there. These images remind us that God meets people in places of both grandeur and humility.
Whether on the temple floor or in a royal palace, this paved ground serves as a stage for divine encounters. It invites us to consider where we stand when we approach God—on solid, prepared earth, ready to receive His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ pavement1×
- a pavement of1×
- a live coal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִצְפָּ֑ה1×
- רִֽצְפַ֥ת1×
- הָ/רִֽצְפָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 7:3
All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and Yahweh’s glory was on the house. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever!”
The pavement here is the specific site of national worship and divine response, marking it as a place where heaven touched earth.
-
Esther 1:6
There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.
This verse highlights the word’s use in describing earthly power and splendor, contrasting human grandeur with God’s sovereignty.