Lexical Summary
raphah: To relax, to let go, to cease, to be weak, to be idle
Original Word:רָפָה
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:raphah
Pronunciation:rah-FAH
Phonetic Spelling:(raw-faw')
KJV: 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 H7495
NASB:fail, lazy, cease, dropped, fall limp, hang limp, let
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
abate, cease, consume, draw toward evening, fail, be faint, be wax feeble, forsake,
A primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) -- 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). Seerapha'.
see HEBREWrapha'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionsink, relax
NASB Translationabandon* (1), alone* (2), become helpless (1), become* (1), cease (2), collapses (1), courage* (1), discouraged* (2), discouraging* (1), drawn (1), dropped (2), fail (5), fall limp (2), feeble (1), forsake (1), hang limp (2), lazy (3), leave (1), let (2), let her alone (1), let him alone (1), let him go (1), let it go (1), let me alone (1), let us alone (1), let go (1), limp (1), loosens (1), lose courage* (1), lost (1), put off (1), relax (2), slack (2), subsided (1), wait (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Late Hebrew
id., so Aramaic (derived species), Zinjirli Aph`el,
; Arabic
an easy life is perhaps akin); —
Perfect3masculine singularJudges 19:9 (yet see below); 3 feminine singularJudges 8:3;Jeremiah 49:24, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularIsaiah 5:24,Exodus 4:26 (see below), etc.; —
sink down, of hay in flameIsaiah 5:24;sink, decline, of dayJudges 19:9 (si vera lectio;L , GFM [but how explain the difficult ?]). Usu.
sink, drop (of wings, see
), of hands, withNehemiah 6:9their hands will drop from the work (in fear); elsewhere absolute figurative =lose heart, energy,2 Samuel 4:1;Isaiah 13:7;Jeremiah 6:24;Jeremiah 50:43;Ezekiel 7:17;Ezekiel 21:12;Zephaniah 3:16; omittedJeremiah 49:24.
sink, relax, abate, of temperJudges 8:3 (+ person).
relax, withdraw, subject , personExodus 4:26 (J), i.e. let one alone (but read perhaps , see ).
Participle pluralidleExodus 5:8,17 (J).
Perfect3masculine singularJob 12:21;Imperfect3feminine pluralEzekiel 1:24,25;Participle (Ges§ 75rr)Jeremiah 38:4; pluralEzra 4:4; — causative:let wingsdropEzekiel 1:24,25 (read
, subject, Co Toy Krae and others, who strike out inEzekiel 1:25); loosen andlet drop, girdle of mighty, figurative forweaken themJob 12:21; with accusative hands, figurative forenfeeble, disheartenJeremiah 38:4;Ezra 4:4.
Imperfect, 3 masculine singular suffixDeuteronomy 4:31 +; jussive 2 masculine singularJoshua 10:6 +, etc.;Imperative masculine singularJudges 11:37;2 Kings 4:27;Deuteronomy 9:14 +; masculine pluralPsalm 46:11; — causative,
let drop, the hand2 Samuel 24:16 =1 Chronicles 21:15; figurative, + person, =abandon,Joshua 10:6 (JE); perhaps also ( omitted) =relax, refrainExodus 4:26 (reading , see
); accusative of thing, =abandon, forsake,Nehemiah 6:3, so (subject )Psalm 138:8; subject , with accusative of person,Deuteronomy 4:31;Deuteronomy 31:6,8;Joshua 1:5 (D),1 Chronicles 28:20.
let go, suffix person,Songs 3:4 (opposed to ); figurative, accusative (omitted) ,Proverbs 4:13 (opposed to ),Job 27:6 (opposed toid.).
refrain, with person, =let onealoneJudges 11:37;Deuteronomy 9:14, of angerPsalm 37:8; with person1 Samuel 11:3;2 Kings 4:27; accusative of personJob 7:19; absolutelet alone, i.e. do nothing, be quiet,1 Samuel 15:16;Psalm 46:11 (compare Weir in Dr1Samuel 15:16). —Jeremiah 3:22;Job 5:18;Psalm 60:4 see .
Perfect2masculine singularProverbs 24:10hast shewn thyself slack; ParticipleProverbs 18:9one shewing himself slack, pluralJoshua 18:3. — See alsoheal.
Topical Lexicon
Overview of UsageStrong’s 7503 appears about forty-six times, touching virtually every period of Old Testament history—from the wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy) through the monarchy (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles), the exile (Jeremiah), and the post-exilic era (Nehemiah, Zephaniah). The contexts cluster around two poles: (1) physical or emotional weakening and (2) deliberate refraining or letting go. Together they trace a moral and spiritual polarity: covenant faithfulness marked by steadfastness versus covenant unfaithfulness marked by laxity or faint-heartedness.
Narrative Contexts
1. Divine Assurance
Deuteronomy 31:6, 8;Joshua 1:5 record the Lord’s covenant promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Here the verb underscores that Yahweh will not “loosen His grip” on His people. The word choice heightens the contrast between God’s unwavering commitment and Israel’s frequent tendency to “let go” of obedience.
2. Call to Courageous Action
Joshua 18:3 voices Joshua’s frustration at the tribes’ hesitation: “How long will you delay to go in and take possession of the land?” The usage highlights the spiritual peril of procrastination when God has opened doors for advance.
3. Episodes of Human Weakness
2 Samuel 21:15 notes that “David grew weary” in battle against the Philistines;Nehemiah 6:9 records the enemies’ taunt that the builders’ “hands will become weak.” The same verb links battlefield exhaustion and vocational discouragement, pointing to a common need for renewed strength from the Lord.
4. Divine Restraint in Judgment
Deuteronomy 9:14;Jeremiah 42:10 portray the Lord saying, in effect, “Leave Me alone, that I may deal with them,” or “I relent of the disaster.” God’s “relaxing” of judgment is never capricious; it flows from covenant mercy and invites repentance.
Covenantal and Ethical Implications
1. God’s Fidelity versus Human Laxity
Each time Scripture declares that God will not “fail,” it implicitly rebukes any suspicion that He might loosen His grip. Conversely, Israel’s recurring temptation was to grow slack in devotion (Judges 18:9;2 Chronicles 15:7).
2. Work Ethic and Social Responsibility
Proverbs repeatedly contrasts diligence with slackness (Proverbs 18:9; 24:10). Failure to persevere in labor is not a minor character flaw but a breach of covenant wisdom that endangers the community.
3. Restraint from Sinful Passion
Psalm 37:8 urges, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.” A deliberate “letting go” of rage aligns the worshiper with God’s righteousness.
Liturgical and Wisdom Literature
1. Call to Contemplative Stillness
Psalm 46:10 stands as the classic invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Here the verb points to a quieted heart that ceases striving, acknowledges God’s sovereignty, and finds security in His exaltation among the nations.
2. Holding Tight to Instruction
Proverbs 4:13 exhorts, “Hold on to instruction; do not let go.” Covenant wisdom is pictured as something easily dropped if vigilance wanes.
3. The Peril of Spiritual Slackness
Proverbs 24:10 warns, “If you falter in a day of distress, how small is your strength!” The verb exposes a heart unprepared for adversity because it previously relaxed its grip on truth.
Prophetic Warnings and Promises
1. Hands Hanging Limp
Zephaniah 3:16 consoles Jerusalem: “Do not let your hands fall limp.” Slack hands symbolize despair; prophetic hope commands renewed strength grounded in the Lord’s presence (3:17).
2. Futility of Human Alliances
Isaiah 30:7, 15 indict Judah for seeking help from Egypt. Their “strength is to sit still,” yet they refuse the rest God offers. The passage juxtaposes sinful passivity with God-ordained quiet trust.
3. Divine Relenting
Jeremiah 42:10 lifts a note of grace: if the remnant remains in the land, God “will relent of the disaster.” His “easing” of judgment depends on their obedience, underscoring the dynamic interplay of justice and mercy.
Historical and Theological Observations
• The verb never attributes slackness to God in a moral sense; when applied to Him, it always emphasizes forbearance or mercy, never fickleness.
• Human slackness, whether fear (Numbers), procrastination (Joshua), sloth (Proverbs), or despair (Nehemiah), reflects unbelief.
• The linguistic thread unites physical weakness, moral looseness, and spiritual resignation, teaching that every arena of life—body, mind, and spirit—must remain engaged under the covenant Lord.
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
1. Encouraging Perseverance
Preachers can connectJoshua 1:5 withHebrews 13:5–6, assuring believers that God’s unfailing grip empowers unwavering mission.
2. Cultivating Holy Stillness
Psalm 46:10 provides a paradigm for prayer retreats and Sabbath rhythms, distinguishing faith-filled repose from lazy passivity.
3. Addressing Sloth and Discouragement
Nehemiah 6:9 andProverbs 24:10 speak directly to ministry teams tempted to quit. Leaders can call congregations to strengthen weak hands (Hebrews 12:12), echoing the prophetic imperative.
4. Teaching Balanced Emotion
Psalm 37:8 guides believers to release anger before it blossoms into unrighteous action—a vital lesson for counseling and peacemaking.
Key Verses for Meditation and Teaching
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous… He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Joshua 18:3 – “How long will you delay to go in and take possession of the land?”
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Proverbs 4:13 – “Hold on to instruction; do not let go.”
Proverbs 24:10 – “If you falter in a day of distress, how small is your strength!”
Isaiah 30:15 – “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.”
Zephaniah 3:16–17 – “Do not let your hands fall limp… He will rejoice over you with singing.”
In every context, רָפָה confronts God’s people with a choice: will they let their hands drop in fear and moral laxity, or will they cling to the everlasting arms that never loosen their hold?
Forms and Transliterations
אַרְפְּךָ֖ אַרְפֶּ֑הָ אַרְפֶּ֔הָ אַרְפֶּ֔נּוּ ארפה ארפך ארפנו הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ הֶ֚רֶף הֶ֣רֶף הֶ֤רֶף הַרְפֵּ֨ה הַרְפֵּֽה־ הַרְפּ֣וּ הרף הרפה הרפה־ הרפו התרפית וְרָפ֣וּ וְרָפ֨וּ וַיִּ֖רֶף וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ וירף וירפו ורפו יִרְפֶּ֔ה יִרְפּ֖וּ יִרְפּ֥וּ יִרְפּ֧וּ יַרְפְּךָ֖ יַרְפְּךָ֙ ירפה ירפו ירפך מְרַפִּ֖ים מְרַפֵּ֡א מִתְרַפִּ֔ים מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה מרפא מרפים מתרפה מתרפים נִרְפִּ֑ים נִרְפִּ֣ים נִרְפִּ֥ים נרפים רִפָּֽה׃ רָפ֣וּ רָפְתָ֤ה רָפְתָ֥ה רָפָ֨ה רפה רפה׃ רפו רפתה תְּרַפֶּ֥ינָה תִּרְפֶּ֑ינָה תֶּ֑רֶף תֶּ֥רֶף תֶּֽרֶף׃ תַ֝רְפֵּ֗נִי תרף תרף׃ תרפינה תרפני ’ar·pe·hā ’ar·pə·ḵā ’ar·pen·nū ’arpehā ’arpəḵā ’arpennū arpeCha arPeha arPennu har·pêh har·pêh- har·pū harPeh harpêh harpêh- harPu harpū he·rep̄ Heref herep̄ hiṯ·rap·pî·ṯā Hitrappita hiṯrappîṯā mə·rap·pê mə·rap·pîm merapPe mərappê merapPim mərappîm miṯ·rap·peh miṯ·rap·pîm mitrapPeh miṯrappeh mitrapPim miṯrappîm nir·pîm nirPim nirpîm rā·p̄āh rā·p̄ə·ṯāh rā·p̄ū raFah rafeTah raFu rāp̄āh rāp̄əṯāh rāp̄ū rip·pāh ripPah rippāh ṯar·pê·nî tarPeni ṯarpênî tə·rap·pe·nāh te·rep̄ terapPeinah tərappenāh Teref terep̄ tir·pe·nāh tirPeinah tirpenāh vaiYiref vaiyirPu veraFu way·yi·rep̄ way·yir·pū wayyirep̄ wayyirpū wə·rā·p̄ū wərāp̄ū yar·pə·ḵā yarpeCha yarpəḵā yir·peh yir·pū yirpeh yirPu yirpū
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
