Lexical Summary
saraph: To burn, to set on fire, to consume
Original Word:שָׂרַף
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:saraph
Pronunciation:sah-raf'
Phonetic Spelling:(saw-raf')
KJV: (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, X utterly
NASB:burned, burn, burns, brought, burn it as he burned, completely burned, made
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to be (causatively, set) on fire
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
cause to, make a burning, up kindle, utterly
A primitive root; to be (causatively, set) on fire -- (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, X utterly.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto burn
NASB Translationbrought (1), burn (35), burn it as he burned (1), burned (70), burns (5), completely burned (1), made (1), undertaker (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
117 (70 t. + , 2 t. + ) (Late Hebrew (rare) = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian
šarâpu; Aramaic (rare);
is
absorb, consume); —
Perfect3masculine singularJoshua 11:9 +, 3 feminine singular suffixIsaiah 47:14, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularNumbers 19:5 2t., more oftenExodus 32:20 +, 2 masculine pluralDeuteronomy 7:5 2t.;Infinitive absolute2 Samuel 23:7; constructJeremiah 36:25 +; suffixJudges 9:52;Amos 2:1;Participle activeLeviticus 16:28;Numbers 19:8, plural2 Kings 17:31;passive masculine pluralNumbers 17:4; feminine singular1 Samuel 30:3,Psalm 80:17, pluralNehemiah 3:24, constructIsaiah 1:7; —burn (59 t. + , 2 t. + ):
, +Genesis 11:3 (J; object omitted).
with accusative of thing, usually to destroy, e.g. doorJudges 9:52, houseJudges 12:1;1 Kings 16:18 (both with person),Jeremiah 39:8 11t., compare passive participleNehemiah 3:24, cityJoshua 6:24;1 Samuel 30:1,14 16t., compare passive participle1 Samuel 30:3;Isaiah 1:7, chariotsJoshua 11:6,9;2 Kings 23:11;Psalm 46:10 (subject ), idols, etc.,Exodus 32:20 (accusative omitted),Deuteronomy 9:21 10t., rollJeremiah 36:25,27,28,29,32, woodIsaiah 44:16,19 (both + ), comparePsalm 80:17 (figurative),Jeremiah 51:32, hairEzekiel 5:4; bones, to lime (as outrage)Amos 2:1; upon altars (in desecration)1 Kings 13:2; 1Ki 23:16; 1Ki 23:20 2Chronicles 34:5; bodies, as funeral rite1 Samuel 31:12 (rare custom, RSSemitic i. 353; 2nd ed. 372; but Klo Bu read [= ]; compare BenzArchaeology 163; Ency. Bib. DEAD NowArchaeology i. 188); as funeral rite also (object omitted, probably spices, compare 2 Chronicles 16:14), with person mort.Jeremiah 34:5, + accusative of congnate meaning with verb 2Chronicles 16:14 (compare ); in ceremonial of P (never of burning sacrifice on altar, , compare , but) chiefly (14 t.) of consuming refuse, especially unused portions of victims, etc. (to prevent use), and infected objects,Exodus 29:14,34 +, sometimesLeviticus 4:12 (+ ),Leviticus 4:21Leviticus 4:21 4t., etc., compareEzekiel 43:21; also of burning red heifer (to produce ashes for purification)Numbers 19:5 (twice in verse);Numbers 19:3.
burn, with accusative of person, (1) as penaltyJoshua 7:25 (JE),Judges 14:15;Judges 15:6;Leviticus 20:14, compareNumbers 17:4 (passive participle), so, subject,Isaiah 47:14, with accusative of congnate meaning with verbLeviticus 10:6 (P); (2) as sacrifice,Jeremiah 7:31;Jeremiah 19:5; + deiDeuteronomy 12:31;2 Kings 17:31.
Imperfect3masculine singularJoshua 7:15 +, 3 feminine pluralProverbs 6:27, etc.; —be burned (11 t. + ): of cityJeremiah 38:17 +Jeremiah 38:23 (read for Hi Ew Gf Gie Du), idols, etc.,Micah 1:7;1 Chronicles 14:12; ritually (comparenear the end)Leviticus 4:12;Leviticus 6:23;Leviticus 7:17,19;Leviticus 13:52;Leviticus 19:6; of person, as penaltyGenesis 38:24 (J),Joshua 7:15 (JE),2 Samuel 23:7 (poetry),Leviticus 21:9 (H).
Participle suffixAmos 6:10his burner, usuallyone burning him, but probablyburning spices for him, see Dr and compare
above
Perfect3masculine singular , of goatLeviticus 10:16it was burnt up (and gone).
Topical Lexicon
Definition and ScopeStrong’s Hebrew verb שָׂרַף (saraph) means “to burn, consume or destroy with fire.” It appears about 117 times and spans every major section of the Old Testament. The verb can describe an intentional ritual act, a judicial sentence, an act of warfare, or a direct work of God.
Distribution of Usage
• Torah: foundational sacrificial, purity and judicial contexts (Genesis–Deuteronomy)
• Historical Books: warfare, idolatry purges, punitive measures (Joshua–Esther)
• Wisdom Literature: figurative portrayal of suffering and purification (Job, Song of Songs)
• Prophets: emblem of judgment, refinement, and restoration (Isaiah–Malachi)
Sacrificial and Ritual Burning
Saraph occurs frequently in instructions for burnt offerings and sin offerings, underscoring the complete consecration required in worship.
•Exodus 12:10 – Passover remains: “before the morning you must burn up whatever remains.”
•Leviticus 4:12; 16:27 – portions of sin offerings burned outside the camp, prefiguring Christ’s suffering “outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:11-12).
•Numbers 19:5 – the red heifer burned for water of purification, foreshadowing cleansing through sacrifice.
The repeated command to “burn” the fat, entrails, or whole animal teaches total devotion and the holiness of God that consumes impurity.
Purging Idolatry
Saraph is God’s prescribed method for eradicating every trace of false worship.
•Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:3 – “burn their Asherah poles with fire.”
•2 Samuel 5:21 – David “burned them” (Philistine idols).
•2 Kings 23 records Josiah’s sweeping reforms: altars, images, and even human bones “he burned on them” (23:15-20), signalling zeal for covenant fidelity.
The verb reinforces that idolatry must not merely be removed but utterly destroyed, lest it resurface.
Judicial Penalty
Certain crimes warranted burning, demonstrating the severity of covenant violation.
•Genesis 38:24 – Judah called for Tamar to be “burned,” though later spared.
•Leviticus 21:9 – the immoral priest’s daughter “shall be burned with fire.”
•Joshua 7:15, 25 – Achan’s household “he and all they had were burned” after stoning.
Such texts show sin’s deadly cost while foreshadowing Christ, who bore the fire of divine wrath for believers.
Military Conflagrations
Saraph routinely describes cities, fortresses and enemy goods set ablaze during conquest.
•Joshua 6:24 – “They burned the city [Jericho] with fire and everything in it.”
•Judges 1:8; 20:48;1 Samuel 30:1-3;Nehemiah 1:3 – fires mark defeat, desolation or discipline.
These events portray God’s sovereignty in warfare and the transience of earthly strongholds.
Divine Judgment
God Himself “burns” in holy anger against sin.
•Numbers 11:1 – “the fire of the LORD burned among them” when the people complained.
•2 Kings 19:18 – idols “were burned in the fire” because they were “no gods.”
•Isaiah 10:17 – “The Light of Israel will become a fire… it will burn and devour.”
Fire reveals unapproachable holiness; everything incompatible is consumed (Hebrews 12:29).
Refinement and Purification
Prophets employ saraph metaphorically for refining a remnant.
•Zechariah 13:9 – “I will bring this third into the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined.”
•Malachi 3:2 – the coming Messenger “is like a refiner’s fire.”
Such usage emphasizes redemptive discipline aimed at producing holiness, not mere destruction.
Figures of Suffering and Passion
Wisdom literature uses the verb in personal lament.
•Job 30:30 – “my bones burn with fever.”
• Song of Songs 1:6 – “the sun has burned me.”
Physical burning mirrors intense inward anguish or ardor.
Christological Trajectory
Every burnt offering, every fiery judgment and every cleansing flame anticipates the ultimate offering of Jesus Christ. Isaiah speaks of the Servant who will be “a light for the nations” (Isaiah 42:6); at Calvary He endures the fiery judgment so that believers might become “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). Pentecost’s tongues of fire (Acts 2:3) signal the Spirit’s purifying indwelling promised in the prophets.
Ministry Applications
1. Worship: Genuine worship demands total surrender—nothing held back from God’s consuming holiness.
2. Discipleship: Idols of heart and practice must be “burned,” not managed. Radical repentance keeps worship pure.
3. Discipline: Loving correction may feel like fire but aims at refinement (Hebrews 12:5-11).
4. Hope: Final judgment will burn away wickedness, but the redeemed, refined by Christ, inherit “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28).
See Also
Burnt Offering; Fire of the LORD; Holiness; Judgment; Purification; Seraphim (noun, Strong’s 8314).
Forms and Transliterations
הַשְּׂרֻפִ֑ים השרפים וְהַשֹּׂרֵ֣ף וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה וְשָֽׂרְפ֛וּ וְשָׂרְפ֣וּ וְשָׂרְפ֤וּ וְשָׂרַ֣ף וְשָׂרַ֥ף וְשָׂרַ֨ף וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֤ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֥ וְשָׂרַפְתָּ֨ וְתִשָּׂרֵֽף׃ וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֵ֞ם וַֽיִּשְׂרְפֽוּהָ׃ וַֽיִּשְׂרְפוּ֙ וַיִּשְׂרְפ֤וּ וַיִּשְׂרְפ֥וּ וַיִּשְׂרְפָ֣הּ וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ־ וַיִּשְׂרֹ֖ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֛ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֣ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֧ף וַיִּשְׂרֹ֨ף וַיִּשָּׂרְפ֖וּ וָאֶשְׂרֹ֣ף וּשְׂרָפ֑וּהָ וּשְׂרָפ֖וּהָ וּשְׂרָפָ֖הּ וּשְׂרָפָ֖ם וּשְׂרָפֻ֣הָ וּשְׂרָפֻ֥הָ וּשְׂרָפוֹ֙ ואשרף והשרף וישרף וישרפה וישרפו וישרפו־ וישרפוה׃ וישרפם ונשרפה ושרף ושרפה ושרפו ושרפוה ושרפם ושרפת ותשרף׃ יִשְׂרְפ֤וּ יִשְׂרְפ֥וּ יִשְׂרְפוּ־ יִשְׂרֹ֥ף יִשְׂרֹֽף׃ יִשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃ יִשָּׂרְפ֖וּ יִשָּׂרְפ֣וּ יִשָּׂרֵ֑ף יִשָּׂרֵ֣ף יִשָּׂרֵֽף׃ ישרף ישרף׃ ישרפו ישרפו־ ישרפו׃ לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ לִשְׂרֹ֛ף לִשְׂרֹ֧ף לשרף לשרפו נִשְׂרֹ֥ף נשרף שְׂרָפָ֔תַם שְׂרָפָ֖ם שְׂרֹ֖ף שְׂרֹ֣ף שְׂרֻפ֣וֹת שְׂרֻפָ֣ה שְׂרוּפָ֖ה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת׃ שָׂר֥וֹף שָׂרְפ֖וּ שָׂרְפ֛וֹ שָׂרְפ֣וּ שָׂרְפ֥וּ שָׂרַ֔ף שָׂרַ֖ף שָׂרַ֛ף שָׂרַ֜פְתָּ שָׂרַ֣ף שָׂרַ֣פְתִּי שָׂרַ֥ף שָׂרַ֥פְנוּ שֹׂרְפִ֤ים שֹׂרָ֑ף שרוף שרופה שרופות׃ שרף שרפה שרפו שרפות שרפים שרפם שרפנו שרפת שרפתי שרפתם תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּן תִּשְׂרְפֶ֑נּוּ תִּשְׂרְפֶ֔נּוּ תִּשְׂרֹ֣ף תִּשְׂרֹ֥ף תִּשְׂרֹֽפוּ׃ תִּשָּׂרֵֽף׃ תִשָּׂרֵ֖ף תִשָּׂרַֽפְנָה׃ תשרף תשרף׃ תשרפו׃ תשרפון תשרפנה׃ תשרפנו haś·śə·ru·p̄îm hasseruFim haśśərup̄îm lə·śā·rə·p̄ōw lesareFo ləśārəp̄ōw liś·rōp̄ lisRof liśrōp̄ niś·rōp̄ nisRof niśrōp̄ śā·rap̄ śā·rap̄·nū śā·rap̄·tā śā·rap̄·tî śā·rə·p̄ōw śā·rə·p̄ū śā·rō·wp̄ saRaf saRafnu saRafta saRafti śārap̄ śārap̄nū śārap̄tā śārap̄tî sareFo sareFu śārəp̄ōw śārəp̄ū saRof śārōwp̄ śə·rā·p̄ā·ṯam śə·rā·p̄ām śə·rōp̄ śə·ru·p̄āh śə·rū·p̄āh śə·ru·p̄ō·wṯ śə·rū·p̄ō·wṯ seraFam seraFatam śərāp̄ām śərāp̄āṯam seRof śərōp̄ seruFah seruFot śərup̄āh śərūp̄āh śərup̄ōwṯ śərūp̄ōwṯ śō·rāp̄ śō·rə·p̄îm soRaf śōrāp̄ soreFim śōrəp̄îm tiś·rə·p̄en·nū tiś·rə·p̄ūn tiś·rō·p̄ū tiś·rōp̄ ṯiś·śā·rap̄·nāh tiś·śā·rêp̄ ṯiś·śā·rêp̄ tisreFennu tisreFun tiśrəp̄ennū tiśrəp̄ūn tisRof tisRofu tiśrōp̄ tiśrōp̄ū tissaRafnah ṯiśśārap̄nāh tissaRef tiśśārêp̄ ṯiśśārêp̄ ū·śə·rā·p̄āh ū·śə·rā·p̄ām ū·śə·rā·p̄ōw ū·śə·rā·p̄u·hā ū·śə·rā·p̄ū·hā useraFah useraFam useraFo useraFuha ūśərāp̄āh ūśərāp̄ām ūśərāp̄ōw ūśərāp̄uhā ūśərāp̄ūhā vaesRof vaiyisreFah vaiyisreFem vaiyisreFu VaiyisreFuha vaiyisRof vaiyissareFu vehassoRef venisreFah vesaRaf vesarafTa vesareFu vetissaRef wā’eśrōp̄ wā·’eś·rōp̄ way·yiś·rə·p̄āh way·yiś·rə·p̄êm way·yiś·rə·p̄ū way·yiś·rə·p̄ū- way·yiś·rə·p̄ū·hā way·yiś·rōp̄ way·yiś·śā·rə·p̄ū wayyiśrəp̄āh wayyiśrəp̄êm wayyiśrəp̄ū wayyiśrəp̄ū- wayyiśrəp̄ūhā wayyiśrōp̄ wayyiśśārəp̄ū wə·haś·śō·rêp̄ wə·niś·rə·p̄āh wə·śā·rap̄ wə·śā·rap̄·tā wə·śā·rə·p̄ū wə·ṯiś·śā·rêp̄ wəhaśśōrêp̄ wəniśrəp̄āh wəśārap̄ wəśārap̄tā wəśārəp̄ū wəṯiśśārêp̄ yiś·rə·p̄ū yiś·rə·p̄ū- yiś·rō·p̄ū yiś·rōp̄ yiś·śā·rə·p̄ū yiś·śā·rêp̄ yisreFu yiśrəp̄ū yiśrəp̄ū- yisRof yisRofu yiśrōp̄ yiśrōp̄ū yissaRef yissareFu yiśśārêp̄ yiśśārəp̄ū
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