Original Word: שָׂרָף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: saraph
Pronunciation: sah-raf'
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-rawf')
Definition: Seraph, fiery serpent
Meaning: burning, poisonous, a saraph, symbolical creature

fiery serpent, seraph

From saraph; burning, i.e. (figuratively) poisonous (serpent); specifically, a saraph or symbolical creature (from their copper color) -- fiery (serpent), seraph.

see HEBREW saraph

I. שָׂרָף noun masculine^{Isaiah 14:29} a serpent, usually venomous (possibly from above v, from burning effect of poison); — absolute ׳שׂ Numbers 21:8 (J E; on Arabic parallels see Jacob^{Arabic Dichter ii. 93, iv. 10 f.}), apposition ׳נָחָשׁ שׂ Deuteronomy 8:15, plural הַנְּחָשִׁים הַשְּׂרָפִים Numbers 21:6; a flying serpent, or dragon, שָׂרָף מְעוֺפֵף Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6.

II. [שָׂרָף] noun masculine^{Isaiah 6:2} plural שְׂרָפִים seraphim (probably akin to I. ׳שׂ, as beings originally mythically conceived with serpents' bodies (serpent-deities, compare Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 30:6), or (Che^Comm.) personified of lightning, compare arts. SERAPHIM, Strachan^{Hast. DB} Che^{Ency. Bib}.; Di Marti and others compare also Egyptian guardian-griffins, called Šerref; see also כְּרוּב; on Assyrian Šarrapu (-bu), epithet of god Nergal, connected by Dl^WB with √ שָׂרַף, see שָׁרָב, Zim^{KAT 3. 415}); — in OT. majestic beings with six wings, and human hands and voices, attendant upon ׳י Isaiah 6:2,6.

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb שָׂרַף (saraph), meaning "to burn."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G785 (seraphim): This Greek term is used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew "saraph" when referring to the seraphim, maintaining the connection to the angelic beings described in Isaiah.
• G3789 (ophis): This Greek term translates to "serpent" and is used in the New Testament to describe serpents, including the context of the fiery serpents in the wilderness, as seen in John 3:14, which alludes to the event in Numbers 21.

The term "saraph" thus encompasses both the literal and metaphorical aspects of burning, from the physical danger of venomous serpents to the spiritual majesty of the seraphim, reflecting the multifaceted nature of divine interaction with humanity.

Usage: The word "saraph" appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, primarily in reference to fiery serpents and the seraphim, a class of angelic beings. It is used to convey both physical and spiritual concepts of burning or fiery presence.

Context: • Fiery Serpents: In the context of Numbers 21:6, the term "saraph" is used to describe the "fiery serpents" sent among the Israelites as a form of divine judgment. These serpents were both venomous and symbolically associated with burning due to their deadly bite. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as: "So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died."

• Seraphim: In Isaiah 6:2, the term "saraph" is used to describe the seraphim, celestial beings that attend to God. These beings are depicted as having six wings and are associated with the holiness and glory of God. The Berean Standard Bible describes this scene: "Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying."

• Symbolic Use: The term "saraph" is also used symbolically to represent purification and divine presence. The burning aspect of the word conveys the idea of consuming fire, which is often associated with God's holiness and judgment.

הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים השרפים וְשָׂרָ֣ף ושרף שְׂרָפִ֨ים שָׂרָ֔ף שָׂרָ֥ף שָׂרָף֙ שרף שרפים haś·śə·rā·p̄îm hasseraFim haśśərāp̄îm śā·rāp̄ saRaf śārāp̄ śə·rā·p̄îm seraFim śərāp̄îm vesaRaf wə·śā·rāp̄ wəśārāp̄Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts