Strong's Lexicon tsaphaph: To chirp, to peep, to whisper Original Word: צָפַף Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Greek equivalent for "tsaphaph," the concept of whispering or muttering in a context of divination can be related to Greek words like "ψιθυρισμός" (psithurismos - whispering) or "ἐγγαστρίμυθος" (engastrimuthos - ventriloquist, often used for a medium). Usage: The Hebrew verb "tsaphaph" primarily means to make a high-pitched sound, akin to chirping or peeping. It is often used in the context of the sounds made by birds or small creatures. In a metaphorical sense, it can also refer to whispering or muttering, particularly in contexts involving necromancy or divination, where such sounds are associated with the calling of spirits or the practice of sorcery. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the practice of necromancy and divination was strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The sounds described by "tsaphaph" were often linked to these forbidden practices, as necromancers were believed to communicate with the dead through whispering or muttering. This cultural context highlights the Israelites' emphasis on seeking guidance from God rather than through occult practices. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to chirp, peep NASB Translation chirped (1), twitter (1), whisper (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [צַפַף] verb Pilpel chirp, peep (onomatopoetic; Late Hebrew Pilpal id.; Jewish-Aramaic צַפְצֵף chirp; Arabic  sparrow, etc.); — Imperfect3feminine singular תְּצַפְצֵף Isaiah 29:4, 1singular אֲצַפְצֵף Isaiah 38:14; Participle מְצַפְצֵף Isaiah 10:14, plural הַמְפְצְפִים Isaiah 8:19; — chirp, peep: 1 of birds Isaiah 10:14 (figurative of conquered peoples); of mourning, ׳בְּסוּסאֲ֗֗֗צ Isaiah 38:14 ("" אֶהְנֶּה בַּיּוֺנָה). 2 of spirits, ghosts Isaiah 8:19 (+ הַמַּהְגִּים), ׳מֵעָפָר אִמְרָתֵךְ תְּצ Isaiah 29:4 (like a spirit's). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chirp, chatter, peep, whisper A primitive root; to coo or chirp (as a bird) -- chatter, peep, whisper. Forms and Transliterations אֲצַפְצֵ֔ף אצפצף הַֽמְצַפְצְפִ֖ים המצפצפים וּמְצַפְצֵֽף׃ ומצפצף׃ תְּצַפְצֵֽף׃ תצפצף׃ ’ă·ṣap̄·ṣêp̄ ’ăṣap̄ṣêp̄ atzafTzef ham·ṣap̄·ṣə·p̄îm hamṣap̄ṣəp̄îm hamtzaftzeFim tə·ṣap̄·ṣêp̄ təṣap̄ṣêp̄ tetzafTzef ū·mə·ṣap̄·ṣêp̄ ūməṣap̄ṣêp̄ umetzafTzefLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 8:19 HEB: וְאֶל־ הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים הַֽמְצַפְצְפִ֖ים וְהַמַּהְגִּ֑ים הֲלוֹא־ NAS: and the spiritists who whisper and mutter, KJV: and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: INT: and to the spiritists whisper and mutter should not Isaiah 10:14 Isaiah 29:4 Isaiah 38:14 4 Occurrences |
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