5602. sephel
Lexical Summary
sephel: Bowl, basin

Original Word: סֵפֶל
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: cephel
Pronunciation: SEH-fel
Phonetic Spelling: (say'-fel)
KJV: bowl, dish
NASB: bowl
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to depress]

1. a basin (as deepened out)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bowl, dish

From an unused root meaning to depress; a basin (as deepened out) -- bowl, dish.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a bowl
NASB Translation
bowl (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סֵ֫פֶל noun [masculine] bowl (√ unknown; perhaps foreign word; Assyrian saplu, bowl, basin (DIHWB 508 SchrCOT 2 Kings 9:2) [occurs as object of tribute or plunder]; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; ᵑ7 סִיפְלָא bowl, basin, Christian-Palestinian Aramaic (wash-)basin SchwIdioticon 64; Arabic bowl, jar FlLevy NHWB iii,320; Kl. Schr.ii. 556 f. is perhaps loan-word Frä67f.); — absolute ׳מְלֹא הַסּ Judges 6:38; for drinking, construct סֵפֶל אַדִּירִים Judges 5:25 a bowl of (fit for) nobles, huge bowl (GFM).

Topical Lexicon
Physical and Cultural Setting

The סֵפֶל was a sizeable domestic vessel, often of pottery or beaten metal, suited for liquids such as milk, water, or curds. Archaeological parallels from Late Bronze and early Iron Age Canaan show wide-mouthed bowls with rounded bottoms and simple rims, ideal for easy pouring and for offering refreshments to guests. In village homes a well-fashioned bowl communicated both abundance and dignity, marking a household’s capacity to extend hospitality.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Judges 5:25 – Jael “brought him curdled milk in a magnificent bowl.” The narrative presents the סֵפֶל as a symbol of her apparent generosity while she seeks Sisera’s trust, setting the stage for his downfall.
2. Judges 6:38 – After Gideon’s fleece test, “he wrung out enough dew to fill a bowl of water.” The vessel becomes a tangible measure of divine assurance, holding the evidence that the LORD would indeed save Israel through Gideon.

Symbolism and Theological Themes

Hospitality and Deception

The same bowl that offers sustenance can veil lethal intent. Jael’s use of a “magnificent bowl” heightens the irony: what looks like honor to a weary commander becomes the prelude to judgment. Scripture thus warns that outward tokens of honor may mask an altogether different inward purpose (compare Proverbs 27:6).

Confirmation of Divine Promise

Gideon’s overflowing bowl contrasts with human insufficiency. The vessel cannot create or attract dew on its own; it merely receives what God supplies. The image echoes later promises of superabundant provision—“pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38)—reinforcing that deliverance depends on the LORD, not on human might.

Measure and Fullness

Across the canon, bowls often signify measured fullness, whether of blessing (Psalm 23:5) or wrath (Revelation 16). In Judges 6 the filled סֵפֶל reassures Gideon that God’s word is complete and reliable. The physical measure in the bowl parallels the spiritual measure of faith granted to Gideon for the coming battle.

Historical Insights

Texts from Ugarit mention banquet bowls presented to honored guests, paralleling Jael’s action. Egyptian tomb reliefs likewise depict large bowls of milk and curds in hospitality scenes. Such extra-biblical witnesses affirm the narrative’s cultural realism: offering milk in an ornate vessel was both common courtesy and a status marker.

Lessons for Ministry and Application

1. True Hospitality: Ministry must extend tangible care without hidden agendas, mirroring Christ’s self-giving rather than Jael’s duplicity (Romans 12:13).
2. Seeking Assurance: Gideon’s experience legitimizes earnest requests for confirmation when faced with daunting callings; yet the final reliance rests on God’s word, not on repeated signs (John 20:29).
3. Vessels of Purpose: Like a bowl that merely receives what is poured, believers are called to be receptive instruments of grace, ready for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).
4. Measured Stewardship: Just as the סֵפֶל displayed a precise measure of dew, so Christians steward blessings rightly, neither hoarding nor wasting what God provides (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Thus the humble סֵפֶל, appearing only twice in the Old Testament, serves as a richly layered reminder of hospitality’s power, the certainty of divine promise, and the believer’s role as a vessel prepared for the Master’s use.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּסֵ֥פֶל בספל הַסֵּ֖פֶל הספל bə·sê·p̄el beSefel bəsêp̄el has·sê·p̄el hasSefel hassêp̄el
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 5:25
HEB: חָלָ֣ב נָתָ֑נָה בְּסֵ֥פֶל אַדִּירִ֖ים הִקְרִ֥יבָה
NAS: In a magnificent bowl she brought
KJV: butter in a lordly dish.
INT: milk gave bowl A magnificent brought

Judges 6:38
HEB: הַגִּזָּ֔ה מְל֥וֹא הַסֵּ֖פֶל מָֽיִם׃
NAS: from the fleece, a bowl full
KJV: out of the fleece, a bowl full
INT: the fleece full A bowl of water

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5602
2 Occurrences


bə·sê·p̄el — 1 Occ.
has·sê·p̄el — 1 Occ.

5601
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