Original Word: שִׁפְרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: shiphrah
Pronunciation: SHIF-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (shif-raw')
KJV: garnish
NASB: cleared
Word Origin: [from H8231 (שָׁפַר - To be beautiful)]

1. brightness

garnish

From shaphar; brightness -- garnish.

see HEBREW shaphar

Word Origin
from shaphar
Definition
fairness, clearness (of sky)
NASB Translation
cleared (1).

I. שִׁפְרָה noun feminine fairness, clearness, of sky; — absolute ׳שׁ Job 26:13 by his breath the sky becomes fair(ness), see especially De Di Bu Du; > Che^{JQ 1897, 578} (after ᵐ5) בְּרִיחֵי שָׁמַיִם סֹגֵר הוּא.

General Overview

שִׁפְרָה appears only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet its single use carries rich theological weight. The term conveys the idea of the heavens being made resplendent or adorned, underscoring the aesthetic excellence of God’s creative activity. It highlights the flawless order, beauty, and clarity imparted to the cosmos by the divine breath.

Scriptural Context

Job 26 records one of Job’s most exalted descriptions of God’s power. After considering the depths (Job 26:5-6) and the pillars of heaven (Job 26:11), Job declares:

“By His breath the skies were cleared; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent” (Job 26:13).

Here, שִׁפְרָה depicts the radiant clarity given to the skies. Job’s speech climaxes with a recognition that what mortals perceive of God’s might is but the “outer fringe” of His ways (Job 26:14). The beauty of the heavens is thus presented both as revelation and as a gentle reminder of human finitude.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Breath and Creative Order
• The “breath” (Hebrew ruach) of God not only animates but also beautifies creation. This harmonizes with Genesis 1:2 where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, and with Psalms 33:6: “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”
• The same breath that gives life (Genesis 2:7) and sustains creation (Psalms 104:30) also imparts splendor, showing that utility and beauty coexist in God’s works.

2. Cosmic Warfare and Victory
• In the same verse, God’s hand “pierced the fleeing serpent,” an allusion to His triumph over chaotic forces. The pairing of celestial beauty with divine conquest suggests that order and aesthetics are inseparable from God’s moral and sovereign rule.

3. Revelation through Creation
• The shining heavens function as a universal testimony (Psalms 19:1). שִׁפְרָה therefore contributes to the doctrine of general revelation: creation itself communicates the Creator’s nature, leaving humanity without excuse (Romans 1:20).

Interplay with Creation Imagery

The adornment of the heavens in Job echoes the “very good” verdict of Genesis 1:31. Isaiah 45:18 affirms that God “did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited.” The beautification encapsulated by שִׁפְרָה signifies God’s intention that creation be both functional and delightful, reflecting His character.

Historical Interpretation

Rabbinic commentators have long connected Job 26:13 with Genesis 1:14-18, seeing the verse as a poetic reference to the setting of the luminaries in the firmament. Early Christian writers likewise cited the passage to defend the doctrine of creation ex nihilo and to refute dualistic notions of an eternal chaos opposing God.

Related Terms and Concepts

While שִׁפְרָה itself is unique, Scripture frequently speaks of God “adorning” or “establishing” the heavens (e.g., Psalms 8:1, Proverbs 3:19). Such parallels reinforce that beauty in creation is not accidental but a deliberate expression of divine wisdom.

Implications for Believers

• Worship and Awe: Contemplating the night sky should inspire humble praise, echoing Job’s realization that human understanding only touches the fringe of God’s ways.
• Confidence in Providence: If God orders and beautifies the vast heavens, He is more than capable of ordering individual lives (Matthew 6:26-30).
• Stewardship: Recognizing the heavens as divinely adorned encourages responsible care for creation, aligning with the mandate of Genesis 2:15.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Teaching and Preaching
• Use Job 26:13 as a springboard to discuss the relationship between creation and revelation, connecting with Romans 1 and Psalms 19.
• Illustrate the doctrine of sanctification by analogy: just as God beautifies the heavens, He progressively beautifies His people (Ephesians 5:26-27).

2. Pastoral Counseling
• When believers face chaos or suffering, point to the God who brings order and beauty out of darkness, as Job acknowledged amid his trials.

3. Apologetics
• The observable precision and elegance of the cosmos serve as accessible evidence of intelligent design, supporting arguments from design in dialogues with skeptics.

Summary

Though occurring only once, שִׁפְרָה encapsulates a profound truth: God’s breath not only creates but adorns. The word anchors Job’s testimony to divine majesty, integrates with broader biblical themes of order, beauty, and victory over chaos, and continues to shape worship, theology, and ministry today.

שִׁפְרָ֑ה שפרה shifRah šip̄·rāh šip̄rāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts