What does צָפָה (ṣāphāh) mean in the Bible?
צָפָה (ṣāphāh): Observing with anticipatory posture: leaning forward to peer into distance, connoting vigilant expectation.
Hebrew · H6822
צָפָה
Properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe , await
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צָפָהH6822
Pronunciationṣāphāh
What does צָפָה (ṣāphāh) mean in the Bible?
צָפָה (ṣāphāh): Observing with anticipatory posture: leaning forward to peer into distance, connoting vigilant expectation.
Full entry for צָפָה (H6822) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6822?
The BSB source-word alignment has 35 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include the watchman (3), watch (2), watchman (2), watchmen (2), you a watchman (2).
Where does צָפָה (ṣāphāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 31:49. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Samuel (6), Ezekiel (5), 2 Kings (3), Isaiah (3).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itthe watchman3×2 Samuel 18:26, 2 Samuel 18:27, Ezekiel 33:6
watch2×Psalms 66:7, Nahum 2:1
watchman2×Ezekiel 33:2, Hosea 9:8
watchmen2×1 Samuel 14:16, Jeremiah 6:17
you a watchman2×Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:7
. . .1×2 Samuel 18:26
[and] watching1×1 Samuel 4:13
[Israel’s] watchmen1×Isaiah 56:10
a lookout1×Isaiah 21:6
Again the watchman1×2 Kings 9:20
And the watchman1×2 Kings 9:18
and wait in expectation1×Psalms 5:3
and watch1×Jeremiah 48:19
but I will hold the watchman1×Ezekiel 33:6
facing toward1×Song Of Solomon 7:4
for your watchmen1×Micah 7:4
from our towers1×Lamentations 4:17
I will look1×Micah 7:7
I will watch1×Habakkuk 2:1
is marked1×Job 15:22
keep watch1×Genesis 31:49
lie in wait1×Psalms 37:32
Now the watchman1×2 Kings 9:17
observing1×Proverbs 15:3
She watches over1×Proverbs 31:27
So [he]1×2 Samuel 18:25
standing watch1×2 Samuel 13:34
when the watchman1×2 Samuel 18:24
Your watchmen1×Isaiah 52:8
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 31:49יִ֥צֶףtokeep watchVerb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 4:13מְצַפֶּ֔הto[and] watchingVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular1 Samuel 14:16הַצֹּפִים֙towatchmenArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural2 Samuel 13:34הַצֹּפֶה֙tostanding watchArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 18:24הַצֹּפֶ֜הtowhen the watchmanArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 18:25הַצֹּפֶה֙toSo [he]Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 18:26הַצֹּפֶה֮tothe watchmanArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 18:26הַצֹּפֶה֙to. . .Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 18:27הַצֹּפֶ֔הtoThe watchmanArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Kings 9:17וְהַצֹּפֶה֩toNow the watchmanConjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 31:49
Aligned rows35
Books represented16
Genesis11 Samuel22 Samuel62 Kings3Job1Psalms3Proverbs2Song Of Solomon1Isaiah3Jeremiah2Lamentations1Ezekiel5Hosea1Micah2Nahum1Habakkuk1
Source forms
הַצֹּפֶה֙5xhaṣ·ṣō·p̄eh2 Samuel 13:34, 2 Samuel 18:25, 2 Samuel 18:26, 2 Kings 9:18
צֹפֶ֥ה3xṣō·p̄ehEzekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:7, Hosea 9:8
אֲצַפֶּ֔ה1x’ă·ṣap·pehMicah 7:7
הַֽמְצַפֶּ֔ה1xham·ṣap·pehIsaiah 21:6
הַצֹּפֶ֜ה1xhaṣ·ṣō·p̄eh2 Samuel 18:24
הַצֹּפֶה֮1xhaṣ·ṣō·p̄eh2 Samuel 18:26
הַצֹּפֶ֔ה1xhaṣ·ṣō·p̄eh2 Samuel 18:27
הַצֹּפֶ֥ה1xhaṣ·ṣō·p̄ehEzekiel 33:6
Parsing patterns
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular9x2 Samuel 13:34, 2 Samuel 18:24, 2 Samuel 18:25, 2 Samuel 18:26
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular5xPsalms 37:32, Song Of Solomon 7:4, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 33:7
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2x2 Kings 9:17, Ezekiel 33:6
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular1xIsaiah 21:6
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural1x1 Samuel 14:16
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - first person common singular1xPsalms 5:3
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular1xHabakkuk 2:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - feminine singular1xJeremiah 48:19
Hebrew word. Observing with anticipatory posture: leaning forward to peer into distance, connoting vigilant expectation.
Strong'sH6822
Lexical occurrences37 versesWord forms2 forms15 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkHosea 9:7-9Source Gloss
properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe , await
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Observing with anticipatory posture: leaning forward to peer into distance, connoting vigilant expectation.
properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await BDB: look out Usage: behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man).
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms15
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense11×
Participle activeEzek 3:17 · Ezek 33:7 · Hos 9:8 · Jer 6:17 · Prov 15:3 · Prov 31:27 · Ps 37:32 · Song 7:58×
JussiveGen 31:491×
PerfectIsa 56:101×
ImperfectPs 66:71×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action4×
Participle active1Sam 4:131×
PerfectLam 4:171×
ImperfectMic 7:71×
Sequential imperfectNah 2:21×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
to watch, keep guard
To keep watch attentively.
To watch expectantly or wait with anticipation.
To watch, look out, or keep guard; the posture of a sentinel
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 37 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
צָפָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
It conveys active trust and hopeful vigilance rather than passive resignation.Hosea 9:7-9
The watchman symbolizes alert proclamation of divine revelation.Isaiah 21:1-10
Prophetic office as covenant guardian.Micah 7:7-10
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.