Quick Definition
to refine
Strong's Definition
to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively)
Derivation: a primitive root;
KJV Usage: cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try.
TWOT Reference: 1972
Outline of Biblical Usage
Septuagint (LXX) Greek Equivalents
This Hebrew word is translated by the following Greek words in the Septuagint:
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Hebrew Lexicon
צָרַף (tsa.raph) — to refine. 1) to smelt, refine, test 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smelt, refine 1a2) to test 1a3) to test (and prove true) 1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be refined 1c) (Piel) to be a refiner 1c1) refiner (participle)
UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew
verb · מַצְרֵף · צֹרְפִי
Test | verb qal | ≈ בחן · פקד
to test = action by which humans or deities examine the character of humans by having them engage in a certain activity, ◄ as a goldsmith tests the quality of a precious metal by smelting it in the fire
Non-Whole | verb qal | ≈ סור
to purge away = causative action by which a goldsmith removes contaminants from a precious metal by smelting it in the fire; ≈ used as a metaphor for purging evil from the heart of humans
Exist | verb qal
to cast = causative action by which a goldsmith creates an artifact from a precious metal by smelting it in the fire
Test | Good | verb qal | ≈ בחן · זקק
to refine = causative action by which a goldsmith improves the quality of a precious metal by smelting it in the fire and so removing all contaminants; ≈ often used as a metaphor for purging evil from the hearts of humans
Test | Innocent | verb qal, verb nif | ≈ בחן · ברר · לבן
to refine = causative action by which deities improve the character of humans by leading them through difficult circumstances, ◄ like a goldsmith improves the quality of a precious metal by smelting it in the fire and so removing all contaminants
PSA 66:10 · PSA 105:19 · ISA 48:10 · JER 9:6 · DAN 11:35 · DAN 12:10 · ZEC 13:9
Test | True | verb qal | ≈ תָּמִים
true literally: tested; hence: = state in which the words of deities have proven to be true and reliable, ◄ as a precious metal has been tested by a goldsmith and proven to be pure
UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon
צָרַף vb. smelt, refine, test Qal smelt, refine
test
test (and prove true)
as n. smelter, refiner
Niph. many shall be refined
Pi. as n. a refiner
base