Bible Word Study
צַפִּיחִת
tsappîychith · a flat thin cake
צַפִּיחִת
a flat thin cake
Definition
צַפִּיחִת (tsappîychith) refers to a thin, flat cake or wafer, likely made from grain. It appears only in Exodus 16:31, where it describes the appearance of manna, the miraculous food God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The term emphasizes the manna's physical form—thin and flake-like, comparable to frost on the ground (Exodus 16:14). This specific usage highlights its role as a descriptor within the narrative of divine provision.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Exodus 16:31. It is employed in a descriptive context to illustrate the physical resemblance of manna to a thin wafer or cake, helping readers visualize the supernatural sustenance God provided during the Exodus.
Etymology
Derived from the root צפח (tsph), which relates to spreading out or being flat. It is connected to the noun צַפַּחַת (tsappachath, H6835), meaning a flat dish or cruse. The word's formation suggests something flattened or pressed thin, aligning with its meaning as a thin cake.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it describes the form of manna, a central symbol of God's faithful provision and sustenance for His people (Exodus 16). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Exodus 16:31 by clarifying that manna was not merely abstract 'bread' but had a tangible, wafer-like appearance, emphasizing God's attention to detail in caring for Israel's daily needs and reinforcing themes of dependence on divine grace. In ancient Near Eastern culture, thin cakes or wafers were common food items, often made from barley or wheat and baked on hot stones. The comparison in Exodus 16:31 would have immediately conveyed a familiar image to the original audience, helping them grasp the manna's edible, grain-based nature. This cultural context underscores that God provided nourishment in a form they recognized and could practically use. לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — a broader term for bread or food, not specifically thin. עֻגָה (ʿuggah, H5692) — a cake or round loaf, often thicker or baked. מַצָּה (matsah, H4682) — unleavened bread, thin due to lack of leaven but not necessarily identical in form.
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]