סֵפֶל
a basin (as deepened out)
Definition
The Hebrew word סֵפֶל (çêphel) refers to a specific type of bowl or basin, likely characterized by its deep, hollowed-out shape. It is used in the Old Testament to describe a vessel used for holding liquids, such as milk or broth. In Judges 5:25, it is the 'bowl' brought by Jael to offer milk to the Canaanite commander Sisera. In Judges 6:38, it is the 'bowl' into which Gideon wrings dew from a fleece. In both contexts, it signifies a domestic container for serving or collecting liquid.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the Book of Judges. Its usage is consistently domestic and practical, describing a vessel used in two distinct narrative contexts: one for hospitality (Judges 5:25) and one for a divine sign (Judges 6:38). There is no evidence of ritual or ceremonial use; it is an ordinary household item.
Etymology
The noun סֵפֶל derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to depress' or 'to sink.' This root sense directly informs its meaning, pointing to a vessel that is 'deepened out' or hollowed. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian *sapālu* ('to sink'), support this understanding of a deep basin.
Semantic Range
While סֵפֶל itself is a mundane object, its use in Judges 6:38 connects it to a pivotal moment of divine confirmation. The 'bowl' becomes the instrument for collecting the miraculous dew, a sign from God that affirms Gideon's calling to deliver Israel. This illustrates how God can use ordinary, everyday items within His sovereign plan.
In ancient Israelite culture, a סֵפֶל was a common domestic bowl, likely made of clay or perhaps metal. Its deep shape made it suitable for holding liquids like milk, water, or broth. The act of serving from such a bowl, as Jael does, was a basic gesture of hospitality. Its appearance in these stories reflects everyday life in the period of the Judges.
סַף (çaph, H5592) — a broader term for a basin or bowl, often used in ritual contexts (e.g., Exodus 12:22). כּוֹס (kôwç, H3563) — a cup or drinking vessel, typically for wine. מִזְרָק (mizrâq, H4219) — a sacrificial bowl for sprinkling blood (e.g., Exodus 27:3).
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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