659. epha

Lexicon

epha: Ephah

Original Word: אֵפַע
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: epha`
Pronunciation: ay-fah
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-fah)
Definition: Ephah
Meaning: a breath, nothing

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

of nothing

From an unused root probably meaning to breathe; properly, a breath, i.e. Nothing -- of nought.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation, perhaps for ephes, q.v.

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[אֶ֫פַע] מֵאָ֑פַע Isaiah 41:24 text error for מֵאָ֑פֶס see אפס; so ᵑ9 ᵑ7 Saad Thes Ew Di and others

אֶפְעֶה see below פעה

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָפַע (aw-fah'), which means to breathe or to blow.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • While there is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance that matches the exact nuance of אֵפַע, similar concepts can be found in Greek words that convey ideas of vanity or emptiness, such as κενός (kenos, Strong's Greek 2756) meaning "empty" or "vain," and ματαιότης (mataiotēs, Strong's Greek 3153) meaning "vanity" or "futility." These Greek terms are used in the New Testament to express similar themes of the transient and ultimately unsatisfying nature of worldly pursuits.

Usage: The word appears in the Hebrew Bible to convey the idea of something fleeting or insignificant, often used in poetic or wisdom literature to emphasize the transitory nature of life or human endeavors.

Context: • The Hebrew word אֵפַע (epha') is a noun that captures the essence of transience and futility. It is often employed in contexts where the speaker wishes to highlight the ephemeral nature of human life or the vanity of earthly pursuits. This term is closely related to the concept of "vanity" or "emptiness" found in other parts of the Hebrew Scriptures, such as in Ecclesiastes.
• In the Berean Standard Bible, the word is used to underscore the fleeting nature of human existence and the ultimate insignificance of worldly achievements when viewed from an eternal perspective. The metaphor of a "breath" effectively communicates the idea that life, while real and tangible, is also temporary and quickly passing.
• The usage of אֵפַע in the Hebrew Bible serves as a poignant reminder of the need for humility and the importance of focusing on spiritual rather than material values. It calls readers to reflect on the brevity of life and the importance of seeking lasting significance beyond the temporal.

Forms and Transliterations

מֵאָ֑פַע מאפע mê’āp̄a‘ mê·’ā·p̄a‘ meAfa

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 41:24
HEB: מֵאַ֔יִן וּפָעָלְכֶ֖ם מֵאָ֑פַע תּוֹעֵבָ֖ה יִבְחַ֥ר
KJV: and your work of nought: an abomination
INT: no and your work of nought is an abomination chooses

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 659
1 Occurrence

mê·’ā·p̄a‘ — 1 Occ.