שֶׁ֫פֶר (she.pher)
she.pher
(Mount) Shepher
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun shapher, meaning beauty or splendor, appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible as a proper noun identifying a geographical location. In the wilderness narratives of Numbers, it serves as one of the many stopping points for the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land.
Its occurrence in Numbers 33:42 and 33:48 places it within the detailed itinerary of camps. The name itself suggests a place of aesthetic appeal or pleasantness, offering a brief moment of visual relief in the harsh desert landscape described by the text. This single lexical entry highlights how even transient locations in biblical history were given names reflecting their perceived character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Mount Shepher appears only twice in Scripture, listed simply as a campsite during Israel’s long journey through the wilderness. The name itself suggests beauty or splendor, offering a quiet contrast to the harsh desert landscape surrounding it. This brief mention reminds us that even transient places in our own lives can hold moments of grace and rest.
When we travel through difficult seasons, it is easy to overlook the small stops along the way. Yet these pauses are not empty; they are part of a larger story moving toward promise. God’s provision often comes in the form of safe resting places, however temporary they may seem. We can trust that He sees us in every stage of our journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shapher2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָֽׁפֶר\׃1×
- שָׁ֑פֶר1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 33:23
They traveled from Kehelathah, and encamped in Mount Shepher.
This verse marks the moment Israel leaves Kehelathah and settles at Mount Shepher, highlighting the name's meaning of beauty amidst the wilderness.
-
Numbers 33:24
They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah.
Here the text notes their departure from Mount Shepher to Haradah, showing that even places of splendor are stepping stones in God's plan.