רִצְפָּה
a hot stone; also a tessellated pavement
Definition
The Hebrew noun רִצְפָּה (ritṣpâh) primarily refers to a 'pavement' made of stone, often specifically a tessellated or mosaic pavement of colored stones, as seen in the description of the Persian palace in Esther 1:6. In other contexts, it denotes a 'hot stone' or 'glowing coal,' such as the live coal taken from the altar by the seraph in Isaiah 6:6. In Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezekiel 40:17-18, 42:3), it describes the paved courtyards and areas surrounding the sacred structure.
Biblical Usage
This word is used six times in the Old Testament, appearing in historical, prophetic, and visionary contexts. Its meaning as an ornate 'pavement' is found in Esther 1:6 (describing Ahasuerus's palace) and in the architectural details of Ezekiel's temple (Ezekiel 40:17-18, 42:3). The sense of a 'hot stone' or 'live coal' appears in 2 Chronicles 7:3 (referring to the altar) and most famously in Isaiah 6:6, where a seraph uses a coal to purify the prophet's lips.
Etymology
רִצְפָּה is the feminine form of the noun רֶצֶף (reṣep̱, H7529), which means 'a hot stone, a live coal.' The root ר־צ־ף (r-ṣ-p) is associated with the concept of glowing or burning heat. The development from 'hot stone' to 'pavement' likely stems from the idea of stones laid closely together, perhaps evoking the image of a paved surface made of fitted stones.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant in Isaiah 6:6-7, where the 'live coal' (רִצְפָּה) from the altar is the instrument of Isaiah's purification and commissioning. It symbolizes God's purifying grace, which prepares a sinner for holy service. In Ezekiel's temple visions, the 'pavement' signifies the order, beauty, and sacred separation of God's dwelling place, enriching our understanding of divine holiness and the careful design of worship spaces.
In the ancient Near East, tessellated pavements of colored stone were a sign of immense wealth and royal luxury, as evidenced in the Persian court (Esther 1:6). A 'hot stone' could refer to a tool for baking or, in a cultic context, an item from an altar. The dual meaning reflects objects of both everyday utility and sacred ritual.
אֶבֶן (ʾeven, H68) — a general term for 'stone,' not specifying heat or pavement. גַּחַל (gaḥal, H1513) — 'coal,' often charcoal or burning embers, but not specifically a stone. רֶצֶף (reṣep̱, H7529) — the masculine form, meaning 'hot stone' or 'live coal.'
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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