סֵעֵף
divided (in mind), i.e. (concretely) a skeptic
Definition
The Hebrew noun סֵעֵף (çêʻêph) describes a state of being divided or double-minded, specifically in one's thoughts or loyalties. It refers to a person who is internally conflicted, wavering between two opinions or allegiances, often in a spiritual or moral context. In its single biblical occurrence, Psalm 119:113, it is used to characterize those who harbor 'divided thoughts' or are 'indecisive' in their devotion to God, contrasting sharply with the psalmist's wholehearted love for God's law. The term thus conveys the concrete idea of a skeptic or an unreliable person whose inner division leads to unfaithfulness.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 119:113. The psalmist declares, 'I hate those who are double-minded (סֵעֵף), but I love your law.' Here, it is used in a wisdom context to contrast the unstable, divided loyalty of the wicked with the psalmist's singular, steadfast commitment to God's commandments. The usage highlights a spiritual and ethical division within a person's heart and mind.
Etymology
סֵעֵף (çêʻêph) is derived from the root verb סָעַף (sāʿaph, H5586), which means 'to divide' or 'to split.' The noun form carries the sense of a 'division' or 'branching,' applied metaphorically to the human mind or will. This imagery of a split or forked path effectively conveys the concept of internal conflict and indecisiveness.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it addresses the critical biblical theme of wholehearted devotion to God. It condemns spiritual wavering and hypocrisy, emphasizing that God desires undivided loyalty (Deuteronomy 6:5, James 1:8). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Psalm 119:113 by highlighting the stark contrast between the integrity of faithful obedience and the instability of a divided heart, a warning relevant to personal faith and commitment.
In ancient Israelite wisdom literature, integrity of heart and singleness of purpose were highly valued virtues. A 'divided' person (סֵעֵף) was seen as untrustworthy and morally compromised, akin to being 'two-faced.' This cultural understanding of personal wholeness and reliability differs from some modern perspectives that may view indecisiveness or internal conflict as merely a psychological state without strong moral implications.
פָּגַע (pāgaʿ, H6293) — to meet or encounter; sometimes implies a chance or conflicted encounter, but not specifically internal division. לֵבָב (lēvāv, H3824) — heart or inner man; the seat of thought and will, which can be whole or divided, but is a more general term.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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