Lexical Summary araph: break its neck, break down, break the neck Original Word: עָרַף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that is beheaded, break down, break cut off, strike off neck A primitive root (identical with araph through the idea of sloping); properly, to bend downward; but used only as a denominative from oreph, to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy -- that is beheaded, break down, break (cut off, strike off) neck. see HEBREW araph see HEBREW oreph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from oreph Definition to break the neck NASB Translation break its neck (2), break the neck (1), break down (1), breaks a neck (1), neck was broken (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָרַף] verb denominative break the neck of an animal; — Qal Perfect2masculine singular suffix וַעֲרַפְתּוֺ consecutive Exodus 13:13; Exodus 34:20 (JE), 3 plural וְעָֽרְפוּשָֿׁם אֶתהָֿעֶגְלָה consecutive Deuteronomy 21:4; Participle active עוֺרֵף כֶּלֶב Isaiah 66:3; passive הָעֶגְלָה הָעֲרוּפָה Deuteronomy 21:6; Imperfect3masculine singular יַעֲרֹף Hosea 10:2 figurative of breaking down altars. Topical Lexicon Meaning and imagery The verb עָרַף depicts the violent snapping or severing of the neck. In every occurrence it conveys a decisive act that brings instant death or ruin. The neck—the avenue of breath and life—becomes the point of judgment when blood ransom is refused or guilt must be removed. Therefore the term carries connotations of forfeiture, unsparing judgment, and the finality that follows rejection of God-given means of atonement. Scriptural occurrences • Exodus 13:13; 34:20 – A firstborn donkey unreleased by redemption is to have its neck broken. Cultic and legal setting 1. Redemption of firstborn animals (Exodus 13:13; 34:20) The donkey, an unclean beast, symbolizes the sinner outside covenant purity. God grants a substitutionary ransom—a lamb. Refusal results in a neck-breaking, underscoring that life cannot remain neutral: it is either redeemed or forfeited. The act thus foreshadows the gospel pattern of substitutionary redemption fulfilled in the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19). 2. The unsolved-murder rite (Deuteronomy 21:1-9) Breaking the heifer’s neck in an unworked valley transfers community guilt onto an innocent victim. The elders then wash their hands and pray, “Do not hold Your servant guilty of innocent blood” (Deuteronomy 21:8). The visceral image declares that God will not overlook bloodshed; yet He provides a means of cleansing, anticipating the once-for-all atonement accomplished at Calvary (Hebrews 9:22-26). Prophetic usage as judgment imagery Isaiah 66:3 condemns ritual divorced from obedience: “Whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck.” The shocking comparison brands empty ceremony as repulsive as an unclean, violent act. Hosea 10:2 escalates the metaphor: the LORD Himself will dislocate (“break the neck of”) Israel’s idolatrous shrines, demonstrating that what is not surrendered to Him will be shattered by Him. Theological contributions • Substitution: An innocent victim takes the place of the guilty; rejecting that substitute invites irreversible judgment. Ministry applications 1. Preaching redemption – The donkey law offers a vivid illustration for evangelism: every person must either be redeemed by the Lamb or face irrevocable loss. Key takeaway Where God appoints a ransom, refusal ends in a broken neck; where sin pollutes worship, God Himself breaks the offender’s strength. The gospel meets both truths: Christ, our Substitute, bore judgment so that all who trust Him need never fear the snap of eternal condemnation. Forms and Transliterations הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה הערופה וְעָֽרְפוּ־ וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ וערפו־ וערפתו יַעֲרֹ֣ף יערף עֹ֣רֵֽף ערף ‘ō·rêp̄ ‘ōrêp̄ hā‘ărūp̄āh hā·‘ă·rū·p̄āh haaruFah Oref vaarafTo vearefu wa‘ărap̄tōw wa·‘ă·rap̄·tōw wə‘ārəp̄ū- wə·‘ā·rə·p̄ū- ya‘ărōp̄ ya·‘ă·rōp̄ yaaRofLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 13:13 HEB: לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ וְכֹ֨ל בְּכ֥וֹר NAS: you do not redeem [it], then you shall break its neck; and every KJV: and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn INT: not redeem shall break and every firstborn Exodus 34:20 Deuteronomy 21:4 Deuteronomy 21:6 Isaiah 66:3 Hosea 10:2 6 Occurrences |
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