Lexical Summary
radaph: To pursue, chase, persecute, follow after
Original Word:רָדַף
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:radaph
Pronunciation:rah-daf'
Phonetic Spelling:(raw-daf')
KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r)
NASB:pursued, pursue, pursuing, pursuers, pursues, chase, persecute
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to run after (usually with hostile intent
2. figuratively (of time) gone by)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
chase, put to flight, follow after, hunt, be under persecution, pursuer
A primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) -- chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto pursue, chase, persecute
NASB Translationchase (6), chased (5), chases (1), follow (3), follow* (1), follows (1), hunts (1), passed (1), persecute (6), persecuted (5), persecutors (4), press (1), pursue (36), pursued (37), pursuer (1), pursuers (9), pursues (9), pursuing (13), puts to flight (1), took up the pursuit (1), went in pursuit (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
141 (Late Hebrew
id., Aramaic ,
; Arabic
; Sabean
id., SabDenkm
No. 7, 1. 2); —
128Perfect3masculine singularJudges 4:16 +; 1 singularJeremiah 29:18, etc.;ImperfectDeuteronomy 19:6 +,Psalm 7:6 (apparently to give choice of Qal or Pi, Ki JHMich Bae and others; Ges§ 63n explanation as developed from , compare Ol§ 236 e, and, further, Köi. 160), suffixEzekiel 35:6 (twice in verse), etc.;Imperative masculine singularGenesis 44:4 +, suffixPsalm 34:15; masculine pluralJudges 3:28 +;Infinitive constructJoshua 8:16 +,1 Samuel 23:28;2 Samuel 18:16, suffixPsalm 38:21 Qr, Kt, etc.;ParticipleJudges 4:22 +, pluralJudges 8:4 +; —
pursue (sometimes + ): literal with person, in order to overtakeGenesis 44:4 (J),2 Kings 5:21; especially with hostile purposeGenesis 31:23 (+ ),Genesis 35:5;Joshua 24:6 (all E),Joshua 2:5,7 (twice in verse);Joshua 8:16 (twice in verse);Joshua 8:17;Joshua 10:19 (JE),Deuteronomy 11:4;Deuteronomy 19:6;Joshua 20:5 (all D),Exodus 14:4,8,9 (P),Judges 1:6;2 Samuel 20:6,7,10,13;2 Kings 9:27 17t., +2 Kings 25:5 (), +Judges 4:16 (); +Judges 3:28 =follow me (as leader; but this meaning not elsewhere; read Kit GFM).
literal, with accusative of person,put to flight, chase (defeated foe; sometimes with ):Amos 1:11;Hosea 8:3;Deuteronomy 32:30 (poem; "" ),Deuteronomy 28:22,45;Joshua 23:10 (D),Leviticus 26:8 (twice in verse) (H);Leviticus 26:36 a (H);Joshua 7:5;Joshua 8:24;Joshua 10:10;Joshua 11:8 (all J E),Genesis 14:15;Deuteronomy 1:44;Judges 4:22;Isaiah 41:3 13t. +Judges 7:25 (read for , GFM Bu Now).
literal, accusative omittedJudges 8:4;1 Samuel 30:8 (+ ),1 Samuel 30:10;Genesis 14:14;Exodus 14:23 (P),Exodus 15:9 (poem; + ),Leviticus 26:36 b. 37 (H),Proverbs 28:1; especially participle pluralthe pursuersJoshua 2:16 (twice in verse);Joshua 2:22 (twice in verse);Nehemiah 9:11;Isaiah 30:16, soJoshua 8:20;Lamentations 1:6.
chase, hunt, partridge ()1 Samuel 26:20 (in simile; "" ).
pursue, in figure,Jeremiah 20:11;Lamentations 4:19,Psalm 71:11, compareLamentations 1:3;Psalm 7:6 (+ ; see above); especially subject ,pursue (figurative of punishment, judgment), with accusative of personJeremiah 29:18 (),Lamentations 3:43 and ()Lamentations 3:66,Psalm 83:16 ();Job 13:25 ("" ); , of ,Psalm 35:6.
figurativepersecute, harass, with accusative of personDeuteronomy 30:7;Job 19:22 (),Psalm 69:27;Psalm 109:16;Psalm 119:86;Psalm 119:161; with accusativePsalm 143:3, with accusativeJob 30:15 (but subject obscure; read perhaps Bu; Du ); with personJob 19:28; participle as substantiveJeremiah 15:15;Jeremiah 17:18;Psalm 7:2;Psalm 31:16 ("" ; We for ),Psalm 35:3;Psalm 119:84;Psalm 119:157 (+ ),Psalm 142:7.
pursue, dog, subject , with accusative of personEzekiel 35:6 (twice in verse) (del va Co Toy Krae); in good sense,attend closely upon,Psalm 23:6.
figurativefollow after, aim to secure: in bad sense, with accusativeIsaiah 1:23,Isaiah 5:11,Hosea 12:2,Psalm 119:150; good sense, with infinitiveHosea 6:3, with accusativeDeuteronomy 16:20;Isaiah 51:1 ("" ),Proverbs 21:21,Psalm 34:15 ("" ),Psalm 38:21.
passive:Perfect1pluralLamentations 5:5upon our neck (i.e. closely)we are pursued (improbable, compare Bu); perhapsImperfect3feminine singularJob 30:15 Bu (for );ParticipleEcclesiastes 3:15God seeketh the pursued (i.e. what has disappeared, is past, but dubious).
Perfect3feminine singular consecutiveHosea 2:9;Imperfect3masculine singularNahum 1:8 (Psalm 7:6 see
); 3 feminine singularProverbs 13:21;ParticipleProverbs 11:19 +; —pursue ardently, with accusative of personHosea 2:9 (in figurative); figurative alsoNahum 1:8 (GunkZAW xiii (1893), 230, plausibly, ), compareProverbs 13:31; elsewhere participle, in Proverbs:aim (eagerly) to secure, with accusativeProverbs 11:19,Proverbs 12:11;Proverbs 28:19,Proverbs 19:7 (meaning dubious, see Toy); in good sense,Proverbs 15:9.
Perfect3masculine singular consecutiveIsaiah 17:13it shall be chased away like chaff of the mountains ("" ).
Perfect3masculine singular suffixJudges 20:43 usuallythey chased him (Benjamin, collective), but strange aftersurrounded (still stranger after or ), and why Hiph`il? GFM conjecture dittograph of following; the reverse conjectured by Bu Now.
Topical Lexicon
Root Idea: Dynamic Pursuitרָדַף captures the vigorous act of chasing with intent to overtake, whether by an army seeking an enemy, an avenger seeking justice, or a believer seeking righteousness. The verb’s approximately 144 occurrences cluster around two poles: hostile pursuit and purposeful, often covenantal, pursuit. Together they form a rich biblical theology of movement either toward destruction or toward blessing.
Military and Tactical Pursuit
The earliest narrative uses depict armed forces in hot pursuit:
•Genesis 14:14 – Abram “pursued them as far as Dan.”
•Exodus 14:4, 8, 23 – Pharaoh’s chariots “pursued” Israel into the sea.
•Joshua 8:16 – “All the men of Ai were called to pursue Joshua.”
•Judges 7:23‐25 – Israel “pursued Midian” after Gideon’s surprise attack.
•1 Samuel 30:8 – David receives divine sanction: “Pursue them, for you will surely overtake them.”
•2 Kings 25:5 – Babylon “pursued” Zedekiah to the plains of Jericho.
Radaph often turns battles into routs, underscoring God’s sovereignty: when He fights for Israel the enemy flees (Joshua 10:19); when He opposes them, Israel flees before foes (Leviticus 26:17).
Judicial Pursuit and the Avenger of Blood
InDeuteronomy 19:6, the “avenger of blood” may “pursue the manslayer.” Here radaph functions in the legal sphere, balancing mercy (cities of refuge) with retributive justice. The term therefore intertwines personal vengeance with lawful remedy, anticipating later reflection on justice and mercy in the prophets.
Pursuit within Covenant Blessings and Curses
Leviticus 26 contrasts diametrically opposed pursuits:
• Blessing: “Five of you will pursue a hundred” (26:8).
• Curse: “Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee though no one pursues you” (26:17).
Similarly,Deuteronomy 28:1-14 promises blessings that “will overtake” the obedient, whereas verses 45-48 threaten curses that “will pursue and overtake” the disobedient. Radaph thus becomes a barometer of covenant fidelity.
Divine Pursuit of His People
Radaph is startlingly applied to God’s goodness:
•Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and loving devotion will follow me all the days of my life.”
•Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.”
Even in chastisement God’s pursuit is restorative (Amos 9:1). His steadfast love hunts down His flock (Ezekiel 34:11-16), reversing the predator-prey dynamic.
Human Pursuit of God
Several texts challenge the faithful to become pursuers:
•Psalm 34:14 – “Seek peace and pursue it.”
•Isaiah 51:1 – “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness.”
•Proverbs 15:9 – The Lord “loves those who pursue righteousness.”
The verb that once denoted armies racing across plains now describes hearts racing after the divine will.
Ethical Pursuit: Righteousness, Peace, Love
Disaster “pursues sinners” (Proverbs 13:21), but believers are to counter-pursue moral goods. The prophets apply radaph to social justice: “Woe to those who pursue iniquity” (Micah 2:1). In ministry radaph demands an active, not passive, holiness.
Metaphorical and Prophetic Uses
Radaph stretches beyond literal chase scenes:
•Lamentations 4:19 – “Our pursuers were swifter than eagles.”
•Psalm 109:16 – The wicked man “persecuted the poor,” a social pursuit.
•Hosea 8:3 – “Israel has rejected the good; an enemy will pursue him.”
The imagery paints oppression, harassment, or blessing overtaking nations and individuals.
New Testament Echoes
The Greek equivalent διώκω carries the same range:
• Paul’s pre-conversion violence (Acts 22:4),
• Believers told to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love” (1 Timothy 6:11),
• “Pursue peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14).
Thus radaph’s theology seamlessly crosses covenants: zealous pursuit redirected from hostility to holiness.
Historical-Theological Significance
Radaph dramatizes the moral polarity of life under God. Every person is either hunted by judgment or pursued by mercy. The verb exposes the futility of resisting divine purpose (Psalm 143:3-12) and highlights the energy God invests in redemption (Psalm 23:6). It undergirds doctrines of providence, judgment, and sanctification.
Ministry and Discipleship Applications
1. Warfare imagery fuels spiritual vigilance (Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. Covenant warnings urge pastoral calls to repentance, lest curses “pursue” (Deuteronomy 28).
3. Comfort is offered to the oppressed: “The Lord rescues me from my pursuers” (Psalm 7:1).
4. Discipleship demands active pursuit: evangelism, reconciliation, justice (Romans 14:19).
To preach radaph is to summon the church to relentless obedience while exalting the Shepherd whose goodness refuses to quit the chase.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶרְדְּפָ֥ה אֶרְדֹּ֛ף אֶרְדֹּ֥ף אֶרְדּ֣וֹף ארדוף ארדף ארדפה בְּרָדְפָ֖ם בְרֹדְפַ֣י ברדפי ברדפם הִרְדִיפֻ֔הוּ הָרֹֽדְפִ֔ים הָרֹדְפִ֑ים הָרֹדְפִ֖ים הָרֹדְפִ֛ים הָרוֹדֵֽף׃ הרדיפהו הרדפים הרודף׃ וְאֶרְדְּפָ֥ה וְרִדְּפָ֤ה וְרָֽדַפְתִּי֙ וְרָדְפֵֽהוּ׃ וְרָדְפוּ֨ וְרָדַ֣ף וְרֹדְפִֽים׃ וְרֹדֵ֖ף וְרֹדֵ֣ף וְרֻדַּ֗ף וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֛וּ וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֞וּם וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵ֖ם וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵ֗ם וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם֙ וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙ וַֽתִּרְדְּפֵ֔נוּ וַיִּרְדְּפ֣וּ וַיִּרְדְּפ֤וּ וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֨ם וַיִּרְדֹּ֕ף וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף וַיִּרְדֹּ֡ף וַיִּרְדֹּ֣ף וַיִּרְדֹּ֥ף וַיִּרְדֹּ֨ף וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף וּמְרַדֵּ֥ף וּמֵרֹדְפָֽי׃ וּרְדַפְתֶּ֖ם וּרְדָפ֖וּךָ וּרְדָפ֙וּךָ֙ וּרְדֹ֣ף וארדפה וירדף וירדפהו וירדפו וירדפום וירדפם ומרדף ומרדפי׃ ורדף ורדפה ורדפהו׃ ורדפו ורדפוך ורדפים׃ ורדפתי ורדפתם ותרדפנו טֽוֹב׃ טוב׃ יְרַדֶּף־ יִ֭רְדְּפוּנִי יִֽרַדֹּ֥ף יִרְדְּֽפוֹ׃ יִרְדְּפ֥וּ יִרְדְּפֵ֖ם יִרְדֲּפֶ֑ךָ יִרְדֲּפֶֽךָ׃ יִרְדָּף־ יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ יִרְדֹּ֜ף יִרְדֹּ֤ף יִרְדֹּ֥ף יִרְדֹּף֩ ירדף ירדף־ ירדפו ירדפוני ירדפך ירדפך׃ ירדפם לִרְדָפְךָ֔ לִרְדֹּ֕ף לִרְדֹּ֖ף לרדף לרדפך מְרַדֵּ֖ף מִרְדֹ֖ף מִרְדֹף֙ מֵרֹ֣דְפַ֔י מֵרֹדְפַ֑י מרדף מרדפי נִּרְדָּף־ נִרְדְּפָ֗ה נִרְדָּ֔פְנוּ נִרְדָּֽף׃ נרדף־ נרדף׃ נרדפה נרדפנו רְדָפ֣וּם רְדָפ֣וּנִי רְדָפֽוּךָ׃ רְדֹ֔ף רְדֹ֖ף רִֽדְפ֥וּ רִדְפ֣וּ רִדְפ֥וּ רִדְפוּ֙ רָ֘דַ֤ף רָֽדְפ֔וּ רָֽדְפִי־ רָדְפ֤וּ רָדְפ֨וֹ רָדַ֕ף רָדַ֞ף רָדָ֑פוּ רֹ֝דְפַ֗י רֹ֥דְפֵי רֹ֨דְפֵיהֶ֜ם רֹ֭דֵף רֹדְפֵ֔ינוּ רֹדְפֵ֣י רֹדְפֵיכֶֽם׃ רֹדְפֶ֗ךָ רֹדְפֶ֥יהָ רֹדְפַ֣י רֹדְפַ֥י רֹדְפַי֙ רֹדְפָ֑י רֹדְפָֽם׃ רֹדֵ֑ף רֹדֵ֖ף רֹדֵ֛ף רֹדֵ֣ף רֹדֵ֥ף רֹדֵֽף׃ רדף רדף׃ רדפו רדפוך׃ רדפום רדפוני רדפי רדפי־ רדפיה רדפיהם רדפיכם׃ רדפינו רדפך רדפם׃ רוֹדֵֽף׃ רודף׃ תְּרַדֵּ֣ף תִּרְדְּפֵ֣ם תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי תִּרְדֹּ֑ף תִּרְדֹּ֣ף תִּרְדֹּ֤ף תִּרְדֹּֽף׃ תרדף תרדף׃ תרדפם תרדפני ’er·də·p̄āh ’er·dō·wp̄ ’er·dōp̄ ’erdəp̄āh ’erdōp̄ ’erdōwp̄ bə·rā·ḏə·p̄ām ḇə·rō·ḏə·p̄ay beradeFam bərāḏəp̄ām ḇərōḏəp̄ay erdeFah erDof hā·rō·ḏə·p̄îm hā·rō·w·ḏêp̄ haroDef harodeFim hārōḏəp̄îm hārōwḏêp̄ hir·ḏî·p̄u·hū hirdiFuhu hirḏîp̄uhū lir·ḏā·p̄ə·ḵā lir·dōp̄ lirdafeCha lirḏāp̄əḵā lirDof lirdōp̄ mə·rad·dêp̄ mê·rō·ḏə·p̄ay meradDef məraddêp̄ merodeFai mêrōḏəp̄ay mir·ḏōp̄ mirDof mirḏōp̄ nir·dā·p̄ə·nū nir·dāp̄ nir·dāp̄- nir·də·p̄āh nirDaf nirDafenu nirdāp̄ nirdāp̄- nirdāp̄ənū nirdeFah nirdəp̄āh nirdof rā·ḏā·p̄ū rā·ḏap̄ rā·ḏə·p̄î- rā·ḏə·p̄ōw rā·ḏə·p̄ū raDaf raDafu rāḏap̄ rāḏāp̄ū radefi radeFo radeFu rāḏəp̄î- rāḏəp̄ōw rāḏəp̄ū rə·ḏā·p̄ū·ḵā rə·ḏā·p̄ū·nî rə·ḏā·p̄ūm rə·ḏōp̄ redaFucha redaFum redaFuni rəḏāp̄ūḵā rəḏāp̄ūm rəḏāp̄ūnî reDof rəḏōp̄ riḏ·p̄ū ridFu riḏp̄ū rō·ḏə·p̄ām rō·ḏə·p̄ay rō·ḏə·p̄āy rō·ḏə·p̄ê rō·ḏə·p̄e·hā rō·ḏə·p̄ê·hem rō·ḏə·p̄e·ḵā rō·ḏə·p̄ê·ḵem rō·ḏə·p̄ê·nū rō·ḏêp̄ rō·w·ḏêp̄ roDef rodeFai rodeFam rodeFecha rodeFei rodefeiChem rodeFeiha rodefeiHem rodeFeinu rōḏêp̄ rōḏəp̄ām rōḏəp̄ay rōḏəp̄āy rōḏəp̄ê rōḏəp̄ehā rōḏəp̄êhem rōḏəp̄eḵā rōḏəp̄êḵem rōḏəp̄ênū rōwḏêp̄ tə·rad·dêp̄ teradDef təraddêp̄ tir·də·p̄êm tir·də·p̄u·nî tir·dōp̄ tirdeFem tirdeFuni tirdəp̄êm tirdəp̄unî tirDof tirdōp̄ ṭō·wḇ Tov ṭōwḇ ū·mə·rad·dêp̄ ū·mê·rō·ḏə·p̄āy ū·rə·ḏā·p̄ū·ḵā ū·rə·ḏap̄·tem ū·rə·ḏōp̄ umeradDef ūməraddêp̄ umerodeFai ūmêrōḏəp̄āy uredafTem uredaFucha ūrəḏap̄tem ūrəḏāp̄ūḵā ureDof ūrəḏōp̄ vaiyirdeFehu vaiyirdeFem vaiyirdeFu vaiyirdeFum vaiyirDof vattirdeFenu veerdeFah veraDaf veradafTi veradeFehu veradFu veriddeFah veroDef verodeFai verodeFim verudDaf wat·tir·də·p̄ê·nū wattirdəp̄ênū way·yir·də·p̄ê·hū way·yir·də·p̄êm way·yir·də·p̄ū way·yir·də·p̄ūm way·yir·dōp̄ wayyirdəp̄êhū wayyirdəp̄êm wayyirdəp̄ū wayyirdəp̄ūm wayyirdōp̄ wə’erdəp̄āh wə·’er·də·p̄āh wə·rā·ḏap̄ wə·rā·ḏap̄·tî wə·rā·ḏə·p̄ê·hū wə·rā·ḏə·p̄ū wə·rid·də·p̄āh wə·rō·ḏə·p̄îm wə·rō·ḏêp̄ wə·rud·dap̄ wərāḏap̄ wərāḏap̄tî wərāḏəp̄êhū wərāḏəp̄ū wəriddəp̄āh wərōḏêp̄ wərōḏəp̄îm wəruddap̄ yə·rad·dep̄- yeraddef yəraddep̄- yi·rad·dōp̄ yir·dă·p̄e·ḵā yir·dāp̄- yir·də·p̄êm yir·də·p̄ōw yir·də·p̄ū yir·də·p̄ū·nî yir·dō·p̄ū yir·dōp̄ yiradDof yiraddōp̄ yirdaFecha yirdāp̄- yirdăp̄eḵā yirdeFem yirDefov yirdeFu Yirdefuni yirdəp̄êm yirdəp̄ōw yirdəp̄ū yirdəp̄ūnî yirDof yirDofu yirdōp̄ yirdōp̄ū
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