Lexical Summary shaphrur or shaphrir: Splendor, brightness, beauty Original Word: שַׁפְרוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance royal pavilion From shaphar; splendid, i.e. A tapestry or canopy -- royal pavilion. see HEBREW shaphar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shaphar Definition perhaps splendor, pavilion, canopy NASB Translation canopy (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [שׁפרור Kt, שַׁפְרִיר Qr] noun [masculine] doubtful, Thes splendour (√שׁפר; DlProl. 126 compare Assyrian verb šuparruru, spread out (IdHAW 684)); apparently of (brightly-coloured ?) royal pavilion, canopy, or possibly carpet, suffix נָטָה שׁפרורו Jeremiah 43:10 (Qr שַׁפָרִירוֺ). [שָׁפַת], אַעשׁמֹּת, מִשְׁמְּתַיִם see II. שׁפה. Topical Lexicon Lexical Setting and Visual PictureShaphrur (Strong’s Hebrew 8237) denotes the fabric-covered frame or awning that was stretched out above an oriental throne to display royal dignity and afford shade. The one occurrence of the term anchors it firmly in a courtly context and supplies vivid color to Jeremiah’s acted prophecy. Historical Context: Jeremiah’s Sign-Act at Tahpanhes After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, a remnant of Judeans forced Jeremiah to accompany them into Egypt (Jeremiah 42–44). At the frontier fortress of Tahpanhes, the prophet buried large stones in the pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh’s palace. He then proclaimed, “I will set his throne over these stones that I have embedded, and he will spread out his royal canopy above them.” (Jeremiah 43:10) The shaphrur is that “royal canopy.” Jeremiah’s sign conveyed that Nebuchadnezzar, not Pharaoh, would soon preside in Egypt; the Babylonian king would literally “pitch” his own canopy on Egyptian soil, asserting supremacy over both Egypt and the wayward Judeans who had sought refuge there. Royal Symbolism 1. Display of Sovereignty In the ancient Near East, a throne canopy was as unmistakable a symbol of rule as the throne itself. To “spread” the shaphrur signified the public, formal exercise of authority. Jeremiah’s prophecy thus warned that God would transfer sovereignty from Egypt to Babylon, fulfilling earlier oracles (Jeremiah 25:9; Ezekiel 29:18-20). 2. Shadow and Ownership The canopy provided shade, an image often tied to dominion (Isaiah 30:2-3; Daniel 4:12). By forecasting that Nebuchadnezzar would cast his shadow over Tahpanhes, Jeremiah announced that every life under that shade would be subject to Babylon’s power. 3. Rivals to Yahweh’s Throne The visual of a foreign monarch erecting his pavilion inside Pharaoh’s precincts dramatized the futility of trusting any earthly power against the Lord’s decree. As Nebuchadnezzar’s shaphrur supplanted Egypt’s, so God’s sovereignty overrides all competing claims (Psalm 2:1-6; Isaiah 40:23). Theological Emphases • Divine Control of International Affairs Nations rise and fall at God’s word (Jeremiah 27:6-7). The single appearance of shaphrur underscores the certainty with which He orchestrates even the minute details of conquest—the choice of stones, the placement of a canopy. • Inevitability of Judgment The exiles imagined that distance from Jerusalem would spare them. The shaphrur over Tahpanhes rebuked that presumption. “Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Geography offers no refuge from covenant accountability. • Hope through Servant Language Although Babylon was an instrument of chastisement, God still called Nebuchadnezzar “My servant” (Jeremiah 43:10). The canopy episode foreshadows how divine purposes can be advanced through unlikely agents, pointing ultimately to the Messianic Servant whose dominion will be universal (Daniel 7:13-14). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Warning Against False Security Modern believers can repeat Judah’s error by relocating problems rather than repenting. The shaphrur reminds congregations that relocation, new alliances, or fresh programs cannot replace obedience. 2. Affirmation of God’s Sovereignty Pastors may confidently preach God’s supremacy over global events. The same Lord who positioned Nebuchadnezzar’s canopy governs contemporary geopolitical shifts. 3. Encouragement to Live Under the Right Canopy Scripture offers a contrasting canopy: “He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4). The only safe shadow is the Lord’s own. Related Biblical Imagery • “Pavilion” of the Lord’s Presence – Psalm 27:5; Psalm 31:20 While shaphrur itself appears only in Jeremiah 43:10, its lone occurrence casts a long theological shadow, illustrating in one unforgettable scene the invincible rule of God, the emptiness of human refuge, and the urgency of surrendering to the true King whose canopy will ultimately cover the whole earth. Forms and Transliterations שַׁפְרִירֹ֖ו שפרירו šap̄·rî·rōw šap̄rîrōw shafriRoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 43:10 HEB: [שַׁפְרוּרֹו כ] (שַׁפְרִירֹ֖ו ק) עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ NAS: and he will spread his canopy over KJV: and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them. INT: have hidden will spread royal pavilion over 1 Occurrence |
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