שֶׁ֫פַע (she.pah)
she.pah
abundance
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shepa denotes a state of abundance or plenty. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, within the blessing of the tribe of Zebulun in Deuteronomy 33:19. In this context, it describes the material wealth and resources that come from the sea and hidden treasures of the sand.
Because the word is so rare, its meaning is defined almost entirely by this single occurrence. It points to a tangible overflow of goods rather than an abstract concept. The phrase "abundance of seas" suggests a rich supply of fish or trade goods, highlighting Zebulun’s role as a people connected to water and commerce.
Translators typically render shepa as "abundance," "plenty," or "wealth." This choice captures the sense of fullness that characterizes the blessing. The word underscores the idea that divine favor can manifest in physical prosperity and sufficient resources for a community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shepa appears just once in Scripture, nestled within Moses’ blessing for Zebulun. It describes a tangible overflow of resources—fish from the sea or wealth from trade—that sustains a community. This rare term reminds us that God’s care often meets our needs through practical provision and the opportunities we encounter in daily life.
When you see abundance in your own path, it can be a gentle sign of divine favor. It is not merely about having more, but about having enough to share with others. This single verse invites us to look at our surroundings with gratitude, recognizing that even the hidden treasures of the sand can become sources of blessing for those who seek them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] abundance of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שֶׁ֤פַע1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 33:19
They will call the peoples to the mountain. There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness, for they will draw out the abundance of the seas, the hidden treasures of the sand.”
This verse uniquely uses shepa to describe the material wealth drawn from the seas, linking physical provision directly to tribal identity and trade.