8315. Saraph
Lexical Summary
Saraph: Saraph

Original Word: שָׂרָף
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Saraph
Pronunciation: sah-RAHF
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-raf')
KJV: Saraph
NASB: Saraph
Word Origin: [the same as H8314 (שָׂרָף - Seraph)]

1. Saraph, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Saraph

The same as saraph; Saraph, an Israelite -- Saraph.

see HEBREW saraph

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from saraph
Definition
"burning," a man of Judah
NASB Translation
Saraph (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
III. שָׂרָף proper name, masculine a Judahite; — 1 Chronicles 4:22; Σαια, A ᵐ5L Σαραφ.

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence

“ …Jokim, the men of Cozeba, Joash, and Saraph, who ruled in Moab and Jashubi-Lehem. These were the records of ancient times.” (1 Chronicles 4:22)

Historical Placement

Saraph appears in the Chronicler’s Judahite genealogy that traces the posterity of Shelah, a son of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:21-23). The section offers post-exilic Israel an inspired reminder that the covenant community’s roots run deep, stretching back to pre-monarchic days. Saraph’s placement alongside craftsmen and administrators underscores the Chronicler’s broader purpose: to honor every stratum of Judah’s heritage—royal, priestly, artisan, and colonial alike.

Genealogical Context

1. Lineage: A descendant of Shelah, Judah’s third surviving son (Genesis 38:5; Numbers 26:20).
2. Siblings and Associates: Listed with Joash, Jokim, and the men of Cozeba.
3. Occupations in the Clan: Linen-workers (verse 21) and royal potters (verse 23) appear in the same paragraph, suggesting that Shelah’s line combined manual craftsmanship with civic leadership.

Cross-Border Leadership

The phrase “who ruled in Moab” indicates that Saraph and Joash exercised authority beyond Israel’s traditional borders. Several implications arise:

• Judahite Colonies: During seasons of famine, trade, or political alliance, Judahites settled east of the Dead Sea (compare Ruth 1:1-2). Saraph’s rule shows such ventures succeeded to the extent of establishing local governance.
• Diplomatic Bridges: Moab often oscillated between hostility and cooperation with Israel (Judges 3; 1 Samuel 14). A Judahite official in Moab would have functioned as a stabilizing emissary, foreshadowing the later inclusion of Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan (Isaiah 49:6).
• Preservation of Covenant Identity: Even while holding foreign office, Saraph remains cataloged among Judah’s sons, demonstrating that geographic dispersion did not nullify covenant ties.

Vocational Integration

The surrounding verses highlight guilds of linen-workers and royal potters “who lived there in the king’s service” (1 Chronicles 4:23). The Chronicler thereby links Saraph’s political authority with skilled labor, portraying a holistic picture of kingdom life: governance, craftsmanship, and worship converging under divine oversight.

Ministry Insights

1. God values forgotten leaders. Saraph’s lone mention shows that Heaven records every faithful act, even when human memory fades.
2. Geographic boundaries do not restrict covenant mission. Like Saraph in Moab, believers today serve Christ wherever providence assigns them (Acts 1:8).
3. Secular callings can be sacred. The potters and linen-workers illustrate how ordinary vocations advance kingdom purposes when performed “in the king’s service” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Prophetic Foreshadowings

• Gentile Inclusion: Saraph’s rule in Moab anticipates David’s Moabite ancestry through Ruth and, ultimately, the Messiah’s global reign (Matthew 1:5; Revelation 5:9-10).
• Restoration Hope: The Chronicler writes to a post-exilic audience longing for renewed influence. Saraph’s ancient example reassures them that God can once again extend Judah’s reach beyond its borders.

Practical Applications

• Christian leaders can look to Saraph as an early model of cultural engagement without compromise.
• Craftsmen and professionals find biblical validation for their trades as avenues of service.
• Genealogical study, often neglected, yields spiritual encouragement by tracing God’s faithfulness through obscure individuals like Saraph.

Summary

Though mentioned only once, Saraph embodies Judah’s enduring influence, the sanctity of secular vocations, and the foreshadowing of God’s expanding kingdom. His brief appearance in Scripture invites modern readers to recognize the significance of seemingly minor roles in the unfolding redemptive narrative.

Forms and Transliterations
וְשָׂרָ֛ף ושרף vesaRaf
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 4:22
HEB: כֹזֵבָ֗א וְיוֹאָ֧שׁ וְשָׂרָ֛ף אֲשֶׁר־ בָּעֲל֥וּ
NAS: of Cozeba, Joash, Saraph, who ruled
KJV: and Joash, and Saraph, who had the dominion
INT: of Cozeba and Joash Saraph who ruled

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8315
1 Occurrence


wə·śā·rāp̄ — 1 Occ.

8314b
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