רֶשֶׁף
a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever
Definition
The Hebrew noun רֶשֶׁף (resheph) carries a core idea of a burning or flashing object, leading to several distinct but related meanings in the Bible. Its primary sense is a 'live coal' or 'spark' (Song of Solomon 8:6). By analogy to its flashing nature, it extends to mean 'lightning' or a 'hot thunderbolt' (Psalm 78:48, Habakkuk 3:5). Figuratively, it describes an 'arrow' as it flashes through the air (Psalm 76:3). Finally, in a metaphorical application, it signifies 'fever' or 'burning heat' as a destructive force (Deuteronomy 32:24, Job 5:7).
Biblical Usage
רֶשֶׁף is used six times in the Old Testament, appearing in poetic and prophetic contexts. It describes divine weapons of judgment, such as arrows and lightning, in Psalms 76:3 and 78:48, and as a personified agent of plague alongside pestilence in Deuteronomy 32:24 and Habakkuk 3:5. In Job 5:7, it is used metaphorically for human suffering ('sparks fly upward'). Its most positive use is in Song of Solomon 8:6, where 'flame' (a translation of resheph) symbolizes the intensity of love.
Etymology
The word derives from the root שָׂרַף (śārap̄, H8313), meaning 'to burn' or 'to consume by fire.' This root connection clearly establishes the fundamental concept of burning or heat. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic, where *ršp* is the name of a god associated with plague and the underworld, which may inform the biblical usage of resheph as a destructive force.
Semantic Range
רֶשֶׁף is theologically significant as it vividly portrays God's power in both judgment and covenant love. As a weapon (arrow, lightning), it illustrates His active role in executing justice against enemies and disciplining His people (Psalm 78:48-50). Its association with pestilence in Deuteronomy 32:24 frames suffering within the context of covenant curses. Conversely, in Song of Solomon 8:6, the same 'flame' represents the unquenchable, divine-like intensity of committed human love, reflecting a key biblical metaphor. Understanding this range enriches reading by connecting images of destruction, discipline, and passionate fidelity.
In the broader ancient Near East, Resheph was also known as a Canaanite deity of plague, pestilence, and the underworld. While the biblical text does not explicitly endorse this pagan association, it likely uses the term with this cultural backdrop in mind, especially in poetic lines pairing 'resheph' with pestilence (Deuteronomy 32:24, Habakkuk 3:5). This personifies divine judgment using imagery familiar to the original audience, effectively demoting the pagan god to a mere tool in Yahweh's hand.
חֵץ (ḥēṣ, H2671) — a common, literal word for 'arrow,' whereas רֶשֶׁף emphasizes the arrow's flashing, fiery quality. בָּרָק (bārāq, H1300) — the standard word for 'lightning,' a more direct term compared to the metaphorical 'flashing bolt' sense of רֶשֶׁף. קֶדֶח (qedeḥ, H6920) — means 'fever' or 'inflaming disease,' a more clinical synonym for the metaphorical 'burning heat' sense of רֶשֶׁף.
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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