Bible Word Study
סַף
Çaph · Saph, a Philistine
סַף
Saph, a Philistine
Definition
Saph is the name of a Philistine warrior, specifically one of the descendants of the giants (Raphaim) who was killed by Sibbecai the Hushathite during a battle at Gob (2 Samuel 21:18). As a proper noun, it refers solely to this individual. The name itself is identical to the common Hebrew noun meaning 'threshold' or 'basin' (H5592), but in this context, it functions purely as a personal identifier. No other meanings or biblical references are associated with this specific term.
Biblical Usage
The word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 21:18, within a narrative detailing David's wars against the Philistines. It identifies one of four Philistine giants slain by David's warriors. The usage is strictly as a proper name with no symbolic or repeated application elsewhere in Scripture.
Etymology
The name Saph is the same as the Hebrew common noun סַף (saph, H5592), which means 'threshold,' 'basin,' or 'bowl.' It is derived from the root סוף (sûph), relating to a limit or edge. As a Philistine name, it was likely adopted or adapted from their own language, though it appears identical to the Hebrew word. A related proper name is Sippai (סִפַּי, H5598), another Philistine giant mentioned in 1 Chronicles 20:4, possibly a variant or from the same linguistic background.
Semantic Range
Saph was a Philistine, part of a group described as descendants of the Raphaim (giants), indicating he was likely of notable stature and feared in warfare. His death by Sibbecai, one of David's mighty men, demonstrates God's deliverance of Israel from formidable enemies, reinforcing themes of divine support for the king and the nation against pagan opposition. The cultural setting is one of ongoing military conflict between Israel and the Philistine city-states. Sippai (Çippay, H5598) — Another Philistine giant, possibly a variant name or a related individual, mentioned in the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 20:4.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]