The meaning of “רָפָה”
Understanding râphâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, do...
רָפָה
abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en). See רָפָא. - to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) 1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sink down 1a2) to sink, drop 1a3) to sink, relax, abate 1a4) to relax, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) idle (participle) 1c) (Piel) to let drop 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake 1d2) to let go 1d3) to refrain, let alone 1d4) to be quiet 1e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 5:8 | “And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.” Word: רָפָה (râphâh) | |
| Judges 11:37 | “And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.” Word: רָפָה (râphâh) | |
| 2 Kings 4:27 | “And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.” Word: רָפָה (râphâh) | |
| Ezra 4:4 | “Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,” Word: רָפָה (râphâh) | |
| Psalms 46:10 | “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Word: רָפָה (râphâh) |
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Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.