שַׁפְרִיר (shaph.rur)
shaph.rur
pavilion
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 shaph.rur appears only once in the Bible, in Jeremiah 43:10. It likely refers to a canopy or royal pavilion, possibly one made of brightly colored fabric. The exact meaning remains uncertain among scholars, with some suggesting it could denote a carpet or tent covering instead.
Its rarity makes it a linguistic curiosity rather than a theological cornerstone. In its single occurrence, Nebuchadnezzar is told to spread his royal pavilion over the ruins of Jerusalem’s palaces—a vivid image of Babylonian dominance replacing Judah’s former glory. This solitary usage highlights how specific architectural or cultural details from the ancient Near East occasionally surface in prophetic literature.
Because no other biblical text clarifies its sense, translators must choose between plausible options: canopy, pavilion, or carpet. Each conveys a sense of royal display and temporary authority. The word’s ambiguity reminds readers that not every term yields to easy definition, yet even obscure words can carry powerful imagery when they appear in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about Nebuchadnezzar spreading his royal pavilion over Jerusalem, it paints a stark picture of power replacing what was once holy. This rare Hebrew word describes that canopy of authority, reminding us how quickly human empires can rise and cast shadows over the lives of others. It is a sobering image of dominance, yet it sits within God’s larger story.
Even in these moments of overwhelming change or loss, Scripture shows us that earthly structures are temporary. The pavilion was a symbol of control, but it could not erase God’s sovereignty. We find comfort knowing that no political force or personal crisis has the final word over our lives or history.
This single occurrence invites us to look beyond the immediate circumstances of fear or displacement. It assures us that while human powers may seem absolute for a season, they are ultimately subject to the Lord. Our hope rests not in the stability of earthly thrones, but in the enduring faithfulness of God who guides history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- state tent/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁפְרִיר֖/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 43:10
Tell them, Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne on these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his royal pavilion over them.
This verse uses the word to depict Nebuchadnezzar’s royal canopy as a symbol of Babylonian dominance over Judah's ruins.