Lexical Summary aphal: To grow dark, to become dim Original Word: עָפַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be lifted up, presume A primitive root; to swell; figuratively, be elated -- be lifted up, presume. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עָפַל verb swell (?; so Thes; inferred from derivatives; Arabic  is a tumour in the vulva or anus,  apparently denominative (compare II. עֹפֶל) see Assyrian uplu, probably tumour (DlHWB 7 ublu, but see JenThLz 1895, 250)); — Pu`al Perfect3feminine singular עֻמְּלָה Habakkuk 2:4 according to ᵑ0 (subject נַפְשׁוֺ, compare GASm); but substantive needed, BrdSK 1889, 121 הַנֶּעֱלָף, We Now הָעַוָּל, compare GuKau. — Hiph`il see II. עפל. below II. [עָפַל] verb perhaps be heedless (Arabic Hiph`il shew heedlessness, Imperfect3masculine plural וַיַּעְמִּלוּ לַעֲלוֺת Numbers 14:44 (JE) they shewed heedlessness in going up (went up heedlessly), so de Dieu, cited (and allowed) by Di BuhlLex; > Thes and others shewed presumption (I. עפל, this sense dubious). Topical Lexicon Conceptual Overview עָפַל portrays a swelling, self-exalting attitude that expresses itself in daring action not authorized by God. It reveals an interior posture of pride that moves outward into presumptuous behavior. Canonical Occurrences 1. Numbers 14:44 – After Israel’s refusal to enter Canaan, the people “presumed to go up toward the mountaintop”. Their עָפַל is an act of defiance, directly contradicting the Lord’s explicit warning (14:41-42). It exposes the folly of religious zeal divorced from obedient faith. Historical Setting • Wilderness Generation: Israel’s presumption marked the climax of a cycle of unbelief, grumbling, and rebellion (Numbers 11–14). Their defeat by Amalekites and Canaanites serves as a paradigm for every generation tempted to exchange repentance for self-determined restitution. Theological Themes • Pride versus Faith – The two occurrences form an antithetical couplet: swollen self-trust ends in ruin; humble reliance brings life. Ministry Implications • Exhortation to Obedience – Leaders must distinguish zeal that flows from submission to Scripture from activism birthed in wounded pride. Christological Reflection Jesus embodies the antithesis of עָפַל: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death—death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). His resurrection exalts genuine humility, offering the decisive answer to human presumption. Practical Application for the Church • Corporate Worship: Adore God’s sovereign wisdom; confess communal tendencies toward self-reliance. Related Biblical Motifs Pride (Isaiah 2:11), Haughtiness (Proverbs 16:18), Stiff-necked Resistance (Acts 7:51), Living by Faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11), Humility of Christ (Matthew 11:29). Summary עָפַל unmasks the peril of inflated self-confidence standing over against the life-giving posture of faith. Scripture’s twin portraits—in Israel’s failed assault and Babylon’s doomed arrogance—summon every reader to forsake presumption and cling to the righteousness that comes by faith. Forms and Transliterations וַיַּעְפִּ֕לוּ ויעפלו עֻפְּלָ֔ה עפלה ‘up·pə·lāh ‘uppəlāh uppeLah vaiyaPilu way·ya‘·pi·lū wayya‘pilūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 14:44 HEB: וַיַּעְפִּ֕לוּ לַעֲל֖וֹת אֶל־ NAS: But they went up heedlessly to the ridge KJV: But they presumed to go up INT: heedlessly went to Habakkuk 2:4 2 Occurrences |
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be heedless, neglectful, inadvertent); —