רֶ֫שֶׁף (re.sheph)
re.sheph
flash
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun re.sheph denotes a flash of light, specifically describing either a glowing flame or a lightning bolt. It captures the sudden, bright appearance of fire, whether it is the steady burn of a blaze or the sharp, striking arc of lightning across the sky.
This word appears in five verses, with notable usage in Job and Song of Solomon. In Job 40:23, it describes the movement of the river as "re.sheph" passes by, likely evoking the image of lightning flashing along the water’s surface or the swift, bright flow itself. In Song of Solomon 8:6, love is compared to a "flame of fire," using re.sheph to convey its intense, consuming brightness and power.
The term distinguishes between different kinds of fire-related imagery in Scripture. While other words might describe the fuel or the act of burning, re.sheph focuses on the visual phenomenon—the flash or bolt itself. This makes it particularly effective for describing sudden, powerful displays of light, whether natural or metaphorical.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word re.sheph captures the sudden, bright appearance of fire or lightning. It focuses on the visual flash itself rather than the fuel or the act of burning. This imagery helps us understand how Scripture describes intense, consuming power that appears with speed and clarity.
In Song of Solomon 8:6, love is compared to these flashes of fire. The text suggests that genuine affection carries a weight and intensity that mirrors divine presence. It is not a gentle glow but a powerful force that marks the heart and arm permanently.
When we encounter this concept in our lives, it reminds us that meaningful connections and spiritual realities often leave a lasting impression. Like a flash of lightning, some experiences are brief yet unforgettable, shaping how we view our relationships and our faith journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to <the>/ lightning bolts1×
- plague1×
- lightning1×
- flashes/ its1×
- flame1×
- [are] flashes of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֶ֖שֶׁף2×
- רֶ֝֗שֶׁף1×
- רִשְׁפֵּ֕י1×
- רְשָׁפֶ֕י/הָ1×
- לָ/רְשָׁפִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 8:6
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yah.
This verse uses re.sheph to describe the intense, consuming brightness of love, linking it directly to the flame of Yahweh.
-
Job 5:7
but man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Here the term appears in the phrase 'sparks fly upward,' illustrating the natural and inevitable nature of human trouble.
-
Psalms 78:48
He also gave over their livestock to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.
The word describes hot thunderbolts sent as judgment, emphasizing the sudden and destructive power of divine wrath.