שָׂפָה
The lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language ; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does שָׂפָה (saphah) mean in the Bible?
שָׂפָה (saphah) is a Hebrew word meaning "the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language ; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)". the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc. The imagery emphasizes control over the act of speaking. This term runs through the canonical themes of Wisdom.
Meaning
Lip as boundary extends metaphorically to language and edges, treating speech as a defining perimeter of identity.
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.) BDB: lip Usage: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.
Why This Word Matters
The imagery emphasizes control over the act of speaking. Proverbs 10:19
The term highlights speech as the channel through which wisdom nourishes others. Proverbs 10:21
The lips represent the outward expression of inner wisdom. Proverbs 10:32
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 177 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.