sefer

Sefer is a Hebrew word meaning "book" and is widely used in Jewish literature to denote a written work. Etymologically, it is rooted in the Hebrew term sefer, with cognates appearing in related Semitic languages such as Arabic.

In Jewish usage, Sefer designates a written text and is used in the names of biblical books and other religious works. The five books of Moses are commonly referred to as Sefer Bereshit (Genesis), Sefer Shemot (Exodus), Sefer Vayikra (Leviticus), Sefer Bamidbar (Numbers), and Sefer Devarim (Deuteronomy). The wider Hebrew Bible is organized into Sefer Nevi'im and Sefer Ketuvim. Beyond biblical material, many later works begin with Sefer in their titles, for example Sefer HaChinuch, Sefer Hamitzvot, and Sefer Yetzirah.

In modern Hebrew, sefer simply means "book" and is used in everyday language as well as in scholarly and religious contexts. The term also appears in the titles of numerous classical and medieval Jewish works, where it functions as a label indicating a complete or cohesive written treatise.

Outside Jewish contexts, the word sefer exists in other languages with different meanings. For instance, in Turkish sefer means expedition or campaign, reflecting a separate etymology and usage. Despite such differences, the Hebrew Sefer remains a central, enduring term for a written book within Jewish tradition.