Original Word: שָׂפָם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: sapham
Pronunciation: sah-fahm'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-fawm')
Definition: the beard
Meaning: The term refers to the "beard," specifically the mustache or upper lip area.

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to snip or shave.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for the Hebrew term שָׂפָם in the Strong's Concordance. However, related concepts of facial hair and grooming can be found in Greek terms that describe similar practices or features, though they do not correspond directly to the Hebrew term for mustache or beard.

Usage: The word שָׂפָם is used in the context of describing the facial hair, particularly the mustache or the area around the mouth. It is often associated with cultural and ritual practices in ancient Israelite society.

Context: The Hebrew term שָׂפָם (sapham) appears in the context of various laws and customs concerning personal grooming and ritual purity. In Levitical law, specific instructions were given regarding the treatment of the beard, which included the mustache or upper lip area. For instance, in Leviticus 13:45, the leper is instructed to cover his mustache and cry out "Unclean, unclean!" as a sign of his condition. This indicates the cultural significance of the beard and mustache as symbols of identity and status. The beard was often seen as a sign of maturity and dignity, and its treatment was subject to religious and social norms. The act of shaving or trimming the beard, including the mustache, could be associated with mourning or other significant life events. The preservation or alteration of the beard was thus a matter of both personal and communal importance.

Word Origin
from the same as saphah
Definition
mustache
NASB Translation
mouths (1), mustache (4).

שָׂפָם noun [masculine] moustache (compare N Syriac rete; on meaning and form see Thes Ol⁴⁰⁸ Kö^{ii. 73}); — absolute ׳שׂ Micah 3:7 +, suffix שְׂפָמוֺ 2 Samuel 19:25; — moustache: ׳עָשָׂה שׂ 2 Samuel 19:25 (ᵐ5 μύστάξ) i.e. trim it; ׳עָטָה עַלשֿׂ Micah 3:7; Ezekiel 24:17,22; Leviticus 13:45 (P; see I. עטה 1).

שִׂמַּח see III. ספח. מִשְׂמָּח see II. ספח.

ִ˜שׂפְמוֺת 1 Samuel 30:28 see ׳שִׁפ.

שׂפן see ספן. I. שׂפק, שֶׂ֫פֶק see ספק.

beard, upper lip

From saphah; the beard (as a lip-piece) -- beard, (upper) lip.

see HEBREW saphah

שְׂפָמ֗וֹ שָׂפָ֔ם שָׂפָ֖ם שָׂפָם֙ שפם שפמו śā·p̄ām saFam śāp̄ām śə·p̄ā·mōw sefaMo śəp̄āmōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts