Hebrew Root - Samekh-Pey-Resh

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In the words below, see how the key letters (Samekh, Pey, and Resh) are used to form other Hebrew words:

This root basically has the idea of numbering and counting associated with it, which probably lead to the ideas of "recounting," writing, and so on.

In the Scriptures
This root and its derivatives occurs hundreds of places in the Tanakh. The Lord himself is said to keep accounts in his book(s) (Ex. 32:32; Psalm 69:28 [H 29] (Sefer Chaim); Psalm 139:16; Psalm 87:6; Isaiah 4:3; 34:16; Daniel 7:10; 12:1; and Mal 3:16). The idea that the righteous are written in the Book of life (Sefer haChayim) has become a central motif in the Rosh HaShanah / Yom Kippur services.

For example, it is believed that on Rosh Hashanah the destiny of all mankind is recorded by God in the Book of Life. After Rosh Hashanah services, as the congregants leave the synagogue they say to each other:

"May you be inscribed in the Book of Life" (l'shanah tovah tikatevu):

The Lord Jesus came as it was written in the Volume (scroll) of the Book (bim'gillat sefer) concerning Him:

"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me "
(Psalm 40:8) - Cp. Hebrews 10:7

The Lamb's Book of Life
The B'rit Chadashah further speaks of the "Book of Life" (Phil. 4:3) and the "Lamb's Book of Life" (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Ultimately, this book seems to refer to the divine counsel and ordination of God's ultimate purposes in redeeming humanity.

Pictographic Meaning
The pictogram for the shoresh, or root, looks as follows:

Loosely construed, the pictogram suggests a leader who speaks with his hand on a staff.

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