חָשִׂף
cha.siph
little flock
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the available data, the word "חָשִׂף" (cha.siph) is identified with the lemma "little flock." This suggests that the primary meaning of the word is related to a small or diminutive group of sheep, perhaps referring to a small number of livestock. Given the semantic domain of Agriculture & Land, and the occurrence of this word in the Bible only one time, it is likely that the word "חָשִׂף" is used in a specific agricultural context. The limited usage also implies that the word may be a specialized or technical term within ancient Hebrew. In the broader context, the significance of "little flock" may lie in its ability to communicate a sense of vulnerability or dependence. A small flock of sheep would have required careful tending and protection, making it a relatable and accessible metaphor for a community or group of people who are in a position of weakness or vulnerability.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text