Strong's Lexicon saraph: Seraph, fiery serpent Original Word: שָׂרָף Word Origin: From the root verb שָׂרַף (saraph), meaning "to burn" or "to set on fire." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G1411 (dynamis): While not a direct translation, this Greek word for "power" or "miraculous power" can be associated with the divine power and presence that seraphim represent. - G3789 (ophis): This Greek word for "serpent" can be related to the fiery serpents in the wilderness. Usage: The term "saraph" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both fiery serpents and celestial beings known as seraphim. In the context of fiery serpents, it refers to venomous snakes that inflicted the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 21:6). As celestial beings, seraphim are depicted as fiery, angelic creatures who serve in the presence of God, as seen in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:2-6). Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, serpents were often associated with both danger and healing. The fiery serpents in the wilderness narrative symbolize divine judgment and the need for repentance. The seraphim, on the other hand, reflect the majesty and holiness of God, emphasizing His transcendence and the reverence due to Him. The imagery of fire in both contexts underscores purification, judgment, and the presence of the divine. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. שָׂרָף noun masculineIsaiah 14:29 a serpent, usually venomous (possibly from above v, from burning effect of poison); — absolute ׳שׂ Numbers 21:8 (J E; on Arabic parallels see JacobArabic Dichter ii. 93, iv. 10 f.), apposition ׳נָחָשׁ שׂ Deuteronomy 8:15, plural הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְּׂרָפִים Numbers 21:6; a flying serpent, or dragon, שָׂרָף מְעוֺפֵף Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6. II. [שָׂרָף] noun masculineIsaiah 6:2 plural שְׂרָפִים seraphim (probably akin to I. ׳שׂ, as beings originally mythically conceived with serpents' bodies (serpent-deities, compare Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6), or (CheComm.) personified of lightning, compare arts. SERAPHIM, StrachanHast. DB CheEncy. Bib.; Di Marti and others compare also Egyptian guardian-griffins, called Šerref; see also כְּרוּב; on Assyrian Šarrapu (-bu), epithet of god Nergal, connected by DlWB with √ שָׂרַף, see שָׁרָב, ZimKAT 3. 415); — in OT. majestic beings with six wings, and human hands and voices, attendant upon ׳י Isaiah 6:2,6. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fiery serpent, seraph From saraph; burning, i.e. (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color) -- fiery (serpent), seraph. see HEBREW saraph Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים השרפים וְשָׂרָ֣ף ושרף שְׂרָפִ֨ים שָׂרָ֔ף שָׂרָ֥ף שָׂרָף֙ שרף שרפים haś·śə·rā·p̄îm hasseraFim haśśərāp̄îm śā·rāp̄ saRaf śārāp̄ śə·rā·p̄îm seraFim śərāp̄îm vesaRaf wə·śā·rāp̄ wəśārāp̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 21:6 HEB: אֵ֚ת הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ אֶת־ NAS: sent fiery serpents among the people KJV: sent fiery serpents INT: the people serpents fiery bit the people Numbers 21:8 Deuteronomy 8:15 Isaiah 6:2 Isaiah 6:6 Isaiah 14:29 Isaiah 30:6 7 Occurrences |
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