שָׂפָם (sa.pham)
sa.pham
mustache
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew word sa.pham refers specifically to a mustache, appearing only twice in the entire Old Testament. In both instances, it is linked to ritual purity laws regarding mourning practices. The term denotes facial hair grown on the upper lip, distinct from general beards or sideburns.
Its usage highlights ancient cultural boundaries between Israelite identity and neighboring nations. Leviticus 19:27 prohibits cutting the corners of one’s beard, while Micah 1:11 uses the image of shaving off a mustache as a sign of profound grief and humiliation for the inhabitants of Lachish. These rare occurrences show how deeply personal grooming was tied to religious obedience and social status in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word sa.pham refers specifically to a mustache, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 13:45, it describes how a person with a skin disease would cover their upper lip while crying out 'Unclean!' This act marked them as separate from the community for health reasons. It shows that even in times of physical separation, there was a visible sign of their condition.
In Micah 3:7, prophets who failed to hear from God covered their lips in shame. This gesture signaled that their spiritual authority had ended because they could no longer speak with divine clarity. For us today, these rare uses remind us that our words and appearance can reflect our inner state before God.
Understanding this word helps us see how deeply personal grooming was tied to religious obedience in ancient Israel. It invites us to consider how we present ourselves and speak in ways that honor God and bring clarity to those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a moustache2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׂפָ֖ם2×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 13:45
“The leper in whom the plague is shall wear torn clothes, and the hair of his head shall hang loose. He shall cover his upper lip, and shall cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’
This verse uses the word to describe a physical sign of ritual impurity, showing how outward appearance communicated inner spiritual and health status.
-
Micah 3:7
The seers shall be disappointed, and the diviners confounded. Yes, they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.”
Here the covering of the lips signifies the silence of false prophets who have lost God's voice, highlighting the connection between speech and divine authority.