The meaning of “שָׁפָן”
Understanding shâphân reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
coney. - a species of rockrabbit (from its hiding), i.e. probably the hyrax n m 1) rock badger, coney, the hyrax n pr m ...
שָׁפָן
coney. - a species of rockrabbit (from its hiding), i.e. probably the hyrax n m 1) rock badger, coney, the hyrax n pr m 2) secretary or scribe of king Josiah of Judah 3) father of Ahikam in the time of king Josiah of Judah 3a) improbably the same as 2 4) father of Elasah in the time of the prophet Jeremiah 4a) perhaps the same as 3 5) a scribe and father of Gemariah 5a) perhaps the same as 2 6) father of Jaazaniah in the time of Ezekiel 6a) perhaps the same as 2
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Leviticus 11:5 | “And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.” Word: שָׁפָן (shâphân) | |
| Deuteronomy 14:7 | “Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.” Word: שָׁפָן (shâphân) | |
| 2 Kings 22:10 | “And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.” Word: שָׁפָן (shâphân) | |
| 2 Chronicles 34:16 | “And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.” Word: שָׁפָן (shâphân) | |
| Psalms 104:18 | “The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.” Word: שָׁפָן (shâphân) |