Lexical Summary aphes: To cease, to fail, to come to an end Original Word: אָפֵס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be clean gone at an end, brought to nothing, fail A primitive root; to disappear, i.e. Cease -- be clean gone (at an end, brought to nought), fail. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to cease, fail, come to an end NASB Translation ceased (1), come to an end (2), gone (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָפֵס (compare מָּסַס) verb cease, fail, come to an end: only Qal Perfect3masculine singular; Genesis 47:15,16 (of money, כֶּסֶף), Isaiah 16:4 (extortioner: "" כָּלָה, תַּם), Isaiah 29:20 (terrible one: "" כָּלָה, נִכְרַת), Psalm 77:9 (חסְדּוֺ "" גָּמַר). Topical Lexicon Overview of Meaning and Nuance ʼĀpēs conveys the idea of something coming to an end, being no more, or being completely depleted. In narrative and prophetic settings it signals the exhaustion of resources, the vanishing of hope, or the cutting-off of the wicked. The term therefore functions as a literary marker for absolute limits—whether of money, mercy, or malevolence—underscoring the point at which only divine intervention remains. Canonical Occurrences During the prolonged famine, Egypt’s silver is exhausted. The people confess, “The money is gone (ʼāpēs).” Human provision proves finite, positioning Joseph—God’s appointed steward—as the sole mediator of survival. Joseph replies, “If your money is gone (ʼāpēs), bring your livestock.” The verse reiterates the total depletion and highlights the transition from self-reliance to dependence on the one in whom God has vested authority. 3. Psalm 77:8 Asaph laments, “Has His unfailing love ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end (ʼāpēs) for all generations?” The psalmist wrestles with apparent silence from God, yet by verse 13 he recalls the Lord’s past wonders, demonstrating that divine faithfulness never truly ceases. 4. Isaiah 16:4 Addressing Moab’s refugees, the prophet declares, “The oppressor has come to an end; destruction has ceased (ʼāpēs),” forecasting a terminus to tyranny and opening a window for grace, even to a foreign nation. 5. Isaiah 29:20 “For the ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who watch for iniquity will be cut off.” The triple emphasis on elimination climaxes with ʼāpēs, assuring Zion that unjust persecution has a divine expiration date. Theological Themes • Finite Human Resources. Genesis 47 lays bare the limits of earthly wealth; only God-ordained provision endures. Historical Contexts The Famine in Egypt (Genesis 47) Seven years of abundance are followed by seven years of scarcity, a cycle revealed through Joseph’s God-given interpretation. When silver is spent, the people must look beyond material means, foreshadowing salvation that cannot be purchased (Isaiah 55:1). Asaph’s Crisis of Faith (Psalm 77) Possibly linked to national calamity, the psalm records a worship leader’s dark night of the soul. ʼĀpēs voices dread that the covenant might have lapsed, yet the psalm’s resolution proves otherwise. Oracle Against Moab (Isaiah 16) Moab’s displaced population seeks refuge in Judah. The prophecy calls for Judah to extend shelter, anticipating that oppression will come to an end—inviting nations into the protective reign of the future Davidic throne. Vision of Ariel (Isaiah 29) Jerusalem, called “Ariel,” will experience woe and siege, but arrogant tormentors will ultimately disappear. The term ʼāpēs punctuates the certainty of God’s vindication of His city. Ministry Significance • Preaching and Teaching: ʼĀpēs provides a vivid vocabulary for sermons on the end of self-sufficiency, the limit of evil’s tenure, and the permanence of divine mercy. Practical Applications for Believers 1. Dependence on God’s Provision. Material security can vanish, but the Lord remains the source of life (Matthew 6:33). Related Biblical Concepts End/Limit: Job 14:5; Psalm 90:12 Vanity/Emptiness: Ecclesiastes 1:2 Cease/Desist: Psalm 46:9; Revelation 21:4 ʼĀpēs thus serves as a concise yet potent reminder that the end of human resources, the end of oppression, and the end of doubt all prepare the stage for the unfailing sufficiency, justice, and love of God. Forms and Transliterations אָפֵ֖ס אָפֵ֤ס אָפֵ֥ס אפס הֶאָפֵ֣ס האפס ’ā·p̄ês ’āp̄ês aFes he’āp̄ês he·’ā·p̄ês heaFesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 47:15 HEB: נֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י אָפֵ֖ס כָּֽסֶף׃ NAS: For [our] money is gone. KJV: in thy presence? for the money faileth. INT: about for is gone the money Genesis 47:16 Psalm 77:8 Isaiah 16:4 Isaiah 29:20 5 Occurrences |
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