Biblica Analytica

שָׂפַן

sa.phan (H8226)

to treasure

1 verses 1 books OT 1 / NT 0
AI Word Study

# Analysis of H8226 (שָׂפַן, saphan) The Hebrew word *saphan* carries the meaning "to treasure," indicating the act of storing or preserving something of value. Based on the lexical data, this verb appears only once in the biblical text, which limits our ability to observe variations in its usage or extended applications within Scripture itself. The single occurrence of this word suggests it represents a specialized or less frequently employed term in biblical Hebrew. Rather than being part of common everyday vocabulary, *saphan* appears to have been selected for a specific rhetorical or thematic purpose in its one biblical context. This rarity means the word likely carried particular weight or significance in the passage where it appears, though without additional usage data, we cannot determine whether it was colloquial, formal, poetic, or archaic in register. The fundamental semantic field of "treasuring"—preserving something valuable—connects this word to themes of safekeeping, worth, and intentional retention. However, the single attestation prevents us from establishing whether *saphan* carried connotations of secrecy, protection, guardianship, or emotional attachment that might distinguish it from other Hebrew verbs related to storing or keeping.

AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.

Deuteronomy 33:19

They will call the peoples to the mountain. There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness, for they will draw out the abundance of the seas, the hidden treasures of the sand.”