Lexical Summary serephah: Burning, fire, conflagration, destruction by fire Original Word: שָׂרֵפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance burning From saraph; cremation -- burning. see HEBREW saraph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom saraph Definition a burning NASB Translation blaze (2), burned (1), burning (4), burnt (2), fire (3), thoroughly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׂרֵפָה noun feminine burning; — absolute ׳שׂ Isaiah 9:4 +, construct שְׂרֵפַת Numbers 19:6 +; — ׳לשׁ of brick-burning Genesis 11:3 (+ שָׁרַף); destructive Amos 4:11; Isaiah 9:4, of land Deuteronomy 29:22, of temple, הָיָה לִשְׂרֵפַת אֵשׁ Isaiah 64:10, ׳הַר שׁ Jeremiah 51:25 i.e. a burnt-out volcano (figurative of Babylonian ); of heifer Numbers 19:6, compare Numbers 19:17; of spices (probably) as funeral rite 2Chronicles 16:14 (as accusative of congnate meaning with verb), 2Chronicles 21:19 (object of עָשָׂה), 2 Chronicles 21:19; of person (penal) Leviticus 10:6 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb, ׳י subject), Numbers 17:2. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope שָׂרֵפָה (serephah) denotes a burning, conflagration, or the place and aftermath of fire. Across its thirteen occurrences the term ranges from ordinary kiln‐fire to sacrificial flames, funeral pyres, and sweeping divine judgments. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Construction fire: Genesis 11:3. Symbol of Divine Judgment Serephah often marks the righteous retribution of God. Nadab and Abihu fell before “the burning of the LORD” (Leviticus 10:6). Korah’s censers were gathered “from among the flames” (Numbers 16:37) as lasting testimony that rebellion invites consuming holiness. Prophets employ the term to portray covenant curses (Deuteronomy 29:23), military devastation (Isaiah 9:5), and cosmic overthrow: “I am against you, O destroying mountain… I will make you a burnt mountain” (Jeremiah 51:25). Amos heightens the warning: “Yet you were like a firebrand snatched from the blaze” (Amos 4:11), underscoring mercy that rescues a remnant from deserved ruin. Instrument of Ritual Purification In Numbers 19 the serephah of the red heifer forms the core of Israel’s purification from corpse defilement. Cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool are thrown “onto the burning heifer” (Numbers 19:6), while “ashes from the burning” are later mixed with living water “for purification from sin” (Numbers 19:17). Fire here cleanses rather than destroys, foreshadowing the refining grace later declared: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:3). Funeral Honors The Chronicler records two royal pyres. Asa was laid “on a bier filled with spices and blended perfumes, then they made a great fire in his honor” (2 Chronicles 16:14). Jehoram “died in great agony, and his people made no funeral fire for him like the fire for his fathers” (2 Chronicles 21:19). The contrast teaches that covenant fidelity, not mere position, secures honor in death. National Catastrophe and Loss Isaiah laments, “Our holy and glorious house… has been burned with fire” (Isaiah 64:11). The serephah of Solomon’s temple epitomizes the sorrow of exile and the consequences of collective sin. Yet even this devastation prepares the way for the promised glory of a restored house and ultimately the incarnate Temple, Jesus Christ (John 2:19-21). Prophetic and Eschatological Echoes Serephah imagery reaches forward to the final judgment where “the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10) and backward to earlier types such as Sodom (Amos 4:11). The recurring fire motif culminates in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15) for the unrepentant, while believers are refined “so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise” (1 Peter 1:7). Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Serephah passages provide solemn warnings against rebellion and powerful assurances that God’s purifying purpose outlasts judgment. Christological Reflections Every serephah text anticipates the cross where the Holy One endured the fiery wrath we deserved, fulfilling both the judgment and purification symbolism. His resurrection assures that for all who trust Him, fire no longer consumes but cleanses, and the ultimate serephah becomes the gateway to a new creation “in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Forms and Transliterations הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה השרפה כִּשְׂרֵפַ֥ת כשרפת לִשְׂרֵ֣פַת לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֖ה לשרפה לשרפת מִשְּׂרֵפָ֑ה משרפה שְׂרֵפַ֣ת שְׂרֵפַ֥ת שְׂרֵפָ֖ה שְׂרֵפָ֣ה שְׂרֵפָֽה׃ שרפה שרפה׃ שרפת haś·śə·rê·p̄āh hassereFah haśśərêp̄āh kiś·rê·p̄aṯ kisreFat kiśrêp̄aṯ liś·rê·p̄āh liś·rê·p̄aṯ lisreFah lisRefat liśrêp̄āh liśrêp̄aṯ miś·śə·rê·p̄āh missereFah miśśərêp̄āh śə·rê·p̄āh śə·rê·p̄aṯ sereFah sereFat śərêp̄āh śərêp̄aṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 11:3 HEB: לְבֵנִ֔ים וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם NAS: and burn [them] thoroughly. And they used KJV: and burn them throughly. And they had brick INT: brick and burn thoroughly used brick Leviticus 10:6 Numbers 16:37 Numbers 19:6 Numbers 19:17 Deuteronomy 29:23 2 Chronicles 16:14 2 Chronicles 21:19 2 Chronicles 21:19 Isaiah 9:5 Isaiah 64:11 Jeremiah 51:25 Amos 4:11 13 Occurrences |
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