sa.phaq denotes striking or clapping, especially hands together, in scenes of anger, derision, or personal shame.

The clearly displayed uses describe striking or clapping the hands, with one instance of striking the thigh: hands are struck together in anger, clapped in derision, or used in a bodily gesture of shame. Several remaining occurrences are less clear as to the term’s precise contribution in the translation.

1. Striking or clapping in expressive gesture · dominant

   The Qal forms occur in visible gestures: in Numbers 24:10 the APB renders Balak as having “struck his hands together” when his anger burned, while Lamentations 2:15 describes passersby who “have clapped their hands” in their contempt. Ezekiel 21:17 likewise has a Qal imperative in the clause rendered “strike my hands together,” and Jeremiah 31:19 has a Qal perfect in the confession “I struck my thigh”; Job 27:23 and Job 34:37 also present clapping or slapping actions.

   Numbers 24:10Lamentations 2:15Ezekiel 21:17Jeremiah 31:19Job 27:23Job 34:37

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the action as “strike my hands together,” “struck my thigh,” “claps its palms,” “slaps,” and “clapped their hands.” These renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than a separate definition for each wording.