סֵפֶק
chastisement; also satiety
Definition
The Hebrew noun סֵפֶק (çêpheq) carries two primary meanings in the Old Testament: 'chastisement' or 'stroke' of divine judgment, and 'sufficiency' or 'satiety.' In Job 36:18, it describes a severe 'stroke' or punishment from God that one should avoid. Conversely, in Job 20:22, the word is used in the context of 'sufficiency' or 'plenty,' where, ironically, in the midst of abundance, the wicked person will be in distress. This dual sense highlights a word that can signify either a punitive blow or a state of being filled to capacity.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the poetic discourse of the book of Job. In Job 20:22, it appears in Zophar's speech about the fate of the wicked, describing a paradoxical 'sufficiency' that brings torment. In Job 36:18, Elihu uses it to warn Job against letting wrath entice him into scoffing, lest a divine 'stroke' or chastisement befall him. The usage is exclusively in wisdom literature, within debates about suffering, justice, and divine retribution.
Etymology
The noun סֵפֶק (çêpheq) derives from the root verb סָפַק (sâphaq, H5606), which means 'to clap, slap, or strike.' This root connection clearly informs the meaning of 'stroke' or 'chastisement.' The development of the meaning 'sufficiency' or 'satiety' is likely an extension, perhaps from the idea of being 'struck' or 'filled' to a point of completion or excess. An alternate form, שֶׂפֶק (śepheq), is noted in the Masoretic Text for the two Job references.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears in the profound dialogues of Job, a book grappling with the problem of suffering and God's justice. Its dual meaning enriches the text's irony and complexity. In Job 20:22, it underscores the theme that material 'sufficiency' is meaningless without righteousness and can itself become a form of judgment. In Job 36:18, it contributes to the theme of divine discipline, suggesting that God's corrective 'stroke' is a reality to be heeded. Understanding this Hebrew term deepens the reader's appreciation for the nuanced arguments in the wisdom literature about God's interaction with humanity.
In the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition reflected in Job, concepts of retribution and the limits of prosperity were heavily debated. The idea that 'sufficiency' could be a source of anguish (Job 20:22) challenges simple cultural assumptions that wealth equals blessing. The 'stroke' of chastisement (Job 36:18) aligns with a cultural understanding of divine intervention as direct and tangible, often perceived in physical or societal calamities.
שֶׁבֶט (shebet, H7626) — a rod for correction or ruling; more commonly denotes authority or tribe. יִסּוּר (yissûr, H4148) — chastisement, discipline; focuses more on the instructive, formative aspect. שָׂבַע (śâbaʿ, H7646) — to be satisfied, sated; a verb for the concept of sufficiency.
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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