5605. saphaph
Strong's Lexicon
saphaph: To stand at the threshold, to guard, to wait at the door

Original Word: סָפַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: caphaph
Pronunciation: sah-FAHF
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-faf')
Definition: To stand at the threshold, to guard, to wait at the door
Meaning: to wait at the threshold

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "saphaph," the concept of watchfulness and standing guard can be related to Greek terms such as "γρηγορέω" (gregoreó - Strong's Greek 1127), which means to be watchful or vigilant.

Usage: The Hebrew verb "saphaph" primarily conveys the action of standing at or guarding a threshold. It implies a position of vigilance and readiness, often associated with waiting or watching at a doorway. This term can also suggest a sense of anticipation or expectation, as one might stand at the threshold awaiting entry or the arrival of someone.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the threshold of a home or building held significant symbolic meaning. It was often considered a place of transition and protection, marking the boundary between the outside world and the sanctity of the home. Guardianship of the threshold was a role of importance, ensuring the safety and sanctity of the household. This cultural context underscores the connotations of vigilance and readiness associated with "saphaph."

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
denominative verb from saph
Definition
to stand at or guard the threshold
NASB Translation
stand at the threshold (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[ספף verb denominative Hithpô`. stand at, or guard, the threshold; — Infinitive construct בָּחַ֫רְתִּי אֱלֹהַי הִסְתּוֺפֵף בְּבֵית Psalm 84:11 I choose standing at the threshold in the house of my God.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be a doorkeeper

A primitive root; properly, to snatch away, i.e. Terminate; but used only as denominative from caph (in the sense of a vestibule), to wait at the threshold -- be a doorkeeper.

see HEBREW caph

Forms and Transliterations
הִ֭סְתּוֹפֵף הסתופף his·tō·w·p̄êp̄ Histofef histōwp̄êp̄
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Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 84:10
HEB: מֵ֫אָ֥לֶף בָּחַ֗רְתִּי הִ֭סְתּוֹפֵף בְּבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהַ֑י
NAS: a thousand [outside]. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house
KJV: I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house
INT: A thousand had rather stand of the house of my God

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5605
1 Occurrence


his·tō·w·p̄êp̄ — 1 Occ.















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