What does צָרַף (ṣārap̄) mean in the Bible?
צָרַף (ṣārap̄): Refining metals through fire; metaphorically, God's testing and purification of faith and character through trials.
Hebrew · H6884
צָרַף
To fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)
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.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
צָרַףH6884
Pronunciationṣārap̄
What does צָרַף (ṣārap̄) mean in the Bible?
צָרַף (ṣārap̄): Refining metals through fire; metaphorically, God's testing and purification of faith and character through trials.
Full entry for צָרַף (H6884) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6884?
The BSB source-word alignment has 33 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include is flawless (3), . . . (2), goldsmith (2), I will refine them (2), - (1).
Where does צָרַף (ṣārap̄) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Judges 7:4. Its strongest book concentrations include Psalms (8), Isaiah (6), Jeremiah (6), Daniel (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itis flawless3×2 Samuel 22:31, Psalms 18:30, Proverbs 30:5
. . .2×Psalms 66:10, Jeremiah 6:29
goldsmith2×Jeremiah 10:14, Jeremiah 51:17
I will refine them2×Jeremiah 9:7, Zechariah 13:9
-1×Zechariah 13:9
a goldsmith1×Isaiah 46:6
and a metalworker1×Isaiah 40:19
and fits with1×Isaiah 40:19
and I will sift them1×Judges 7:4
and refined1×Daniel 12:10
as a refiner1×Malachi 3:3
examine1×Psalms 26:2
for a silversmith1×Proverbs 25:4
I have refined you1×Isaiah 48:10
I will thoroughly purge1×Isaiah 1:25
of a goldsmith1×Jeremiah 10:9
one of the goldsmiths1×Nehemiah 3:8
proved him right1×Psalms 105:19
pure1×Psalms 119:140
refined1×Psalms 12:6
so that they may be refined1×Daniel 11:35
the goldsmith1×Isaiah 41:7
the goldsmiths1×Nehemiah 3:32
The refining [proceeds]1×Jeremiah 6:29
to a silversmith1×Judges 17:4
will be like a refiner’s1×Malachi 3:2
You have refined us1×Psalms 66:10
You have tested me1×Psalms 17:3
Show sample aligned rows
Judges 7:4וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּtoand I will sift themConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person masculine singularJudges 17:4לַצּוֹרֵ֗ףtoto a silversmithPreposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2 Samuel 22:31צְרוּפָ֔הtois flawlessVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularNehemiah 3:8צֽוֹרְפִ֔יםסtoone of the goldsmithsVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralNehemiah 3:32הַצֹּרְפִ֖יםtothe goldsmithsArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralPsalms 12:6צָ֭רוּףtorefinedVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singularPsalms 17:3צְרַפְתַּ֥נִיtoYou have tested meVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singularPsalms 18:30צְרוּפָ֑הtois flawlessVerb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularPsalms 26:2צְרוֹפָהtoexamineVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singularPsalms 66:10צְ֝רַפְתָּ֗נוּtoYou have refined usVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowJudges 7:4
Aligned rows33
Books represented10
Judges22 Samuel1Nehemiah2Psalms8Proverbs2Isaiah6Jeremiah6Daniel2Zechariah2Malachi2
Source forms
צְרוּפָ֑ה2xṣə·rū·p̄āhPsalms 18:30, Proverbs 30:5
הַצֹּרְפִ֖ים1xhaṣ·ṣō·rə·p̄îmNehemiah 3:32
וְאֶצְרֹ֥ף1xwə·’eṣ·rōp̄Isaiah 1:25
וְאֶצְרְפֶ֥נּוּ1xwə·’eṣ·rə·p̄en·nūJudges 7:4
וְיִצָּֽרְפוּ֙1xwə·yiṣ·ṣā·rə·p̄ūDaniel 12:10
וְצֹרֵ֖ף1xwə·ṣō·rêp̄Isaiah 40:19
וּצְרַפְתִּים֙1xū·ṣə·rap̄·tîmZechariah 13:9
כִּצְרֹ֣ף1xkiṣ·rōp̄Zechariah 13:9
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular6xIsaiah 40:19, Isaiah 41:7, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:9
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular4x2 Samuel 22:31, Psalms 18:30, Psalms 119:140, Proverbs 30:5
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct2xPsalms 66:10, Zechariah 13:9
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular2xJudges 17:4, Proverbs 25:4
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular2xMalachi 3:2, Malachi 3:3
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural1xNehemiah 3:32
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xDaniel 12:10
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular1xIsaiah 1:25
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Refining metals through fire; metaphorically, God's testing and purification of faith and character through trials.
Strong'sH6884
Lexical occurrences34 versesWord forms2 forms16 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkIsaiah 46:5-7Source Gloss
to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Refining metals through fire; metaphorically, God's testing and purification of faith and character through trials.
to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) BDB: smelt Usage: cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try.
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 forms16
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense14×
Participle activeIsa 40:19 · Isa 41:7 · Isa 46:6 · Jer 10:9 · Jer 10:14 · Jer 51:17 · Neh 3:87×
Participle passive2Sam 22:31 · Prov 30:5 · Ps 12:7 · Ps 18:31 · Ps 119:1405×
PerfectJer 6:291×
Infinitive absoluteJer 6:291×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action2×
Participle activeMal 3:2 · Mal 3:32×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
To refine or fashion metal.
To smelt or purify metal.
You have tried me; you have refined me like metal; implies a rigorous testing to remove impurities
Smelt; refine; test as one tests precious metals; signifies a deep and searching examination
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 34 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
צָרַף is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
Emphasizes human manufacture of false gods.Isaiah 46:5-7
Illustrates purifying discipline rather than destruction.Isaiah 48:9-11
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.