Lexical Summary aphil: Dark, gloomy Original Word: אָפִיל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance not grown up From the same as 'aphel (in the sense of weakness); unripe -- not grown up. see HEBREW 'aphel NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as ophel Definition late NASB Translation late (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָפִיל adjective (darkened, concealed, thence) late, of crops; — אֲמִּילֹת Exodus 9:32 of wheat & spelt. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Exodus 9:32 records that during the seventh plague, “the wheat and the spelt were spared, because they ripen later” (Berean Standard Bible). The word אָפִיל describes these “later” or “late-ripening” crops. Agricultural Background In the Nile Valley, barley and flax mature earlier in the season (roughly late January to February), whereas wheat and spelt head and harden several weeks afterward. The hailstorm devastated exposed, fully headed plants, yet wheat and spelt, still green and supple, were only bruised at worst. אָפִיל signals this developmental stage: grain not yet bright or golden, still “dark” in the ear, and therefore resilient under hail. Theological Significance in the Plague Narrative 1. Precision of Judgment – The plague was not indiscriminate. By sparing later crops, the LORD demonstrated sovereign control, striking exactly what He willed (Exodus 9:29, 31-32). Historical Insights into Ancient Egyptian Agriculture Papyri and wall paintings confirm staggered harvests: barley first, wheat second. Hail rarely falls in Lower Egypt; its sudden appearance and selective ruin underline the miraculous nature of the plague. That later crops were called אָפִיל highlights local terminology Moses assimilated from his upbringing in Pharaoh’s court and years among Midianite farmers. Prophetic and Typological Echoes • Remnant Theology – Just as unripe heads awaited a later harvest, God preserves a remnant until His appointed day (Isaiah 10:20-23; Romans 11:5). Practical Ministry Reflections • Discern Seasons – Not every field is ready for the same approach. Tailor ministry to the hearer’s stage of receptivity. Related Passages for Further Study Exodus 9:18-35; Leviticus 26:4-5; Joel 2:23-24; Mark 4:26-29; James 5:7-8. Forms and Transliterations אֲפִילֹ֖ת אפילת ’ă·p̄î·lōṯ ’ăp̄îlōṯ afiLotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 9:32 HEB: נֻכּ֑וּ כִּ֥י אֲפִילֹ֖ת הֵֽנָּה׃ NAS: were not ruined, for they [ripen] late.) KJV: for they [were] not grown up. INT: ruined grown up they 1 Occurrence |
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