Lexical Summary raphad: To spread, to support, to refresh Original Word: רָפַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance comfort, make a bed, spread A primitive root; to spread (a bed); by implication, to refresh -- comfort, make (a bed), spread. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to spread NASB Translation make (1), refresh (1), spreads (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רָפַד] verb spread (Assyrian rapâdu, stretch oneself; Arabic ![]() Pi`el below; Sabean רפדת plural protection, guard, CISiv, no. 40, 3, compare ארפד terraces DHMHofmus.); — Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יִרְמַּד Job 41:22 he (the crocodile) spreadeth a threshing-sledge upon the mud (leaves marks upon it from his scales). Pi`el Perfect1south of couch (figurative) רִמַּדְתּי יְצוּעָ֑י Job 17:13; then (spread out any support, hence) Imperative masculine plural suffix רַמְּדוּנִי Songs 2:5 support me with apples ("" סַמְּכוּ). Topical Lexicon Word Overview רָפַד pictures the deliberate act of spreading or arranging something so that another may lie, rest, or be refreshed. The verb therefore carries nuances of preparation, provision, and protection, whether the scene is a gloomy grave, a fearsome creature, or a bride craving strength. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Job 17:13 – Job voices his despair: “If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness.” The act of “spreading” transfers the normal comfort of a bed to the chill of the grave, underscoring Job’s depth of affliction. Historical and Cultural Background • Beds in the Ancient Near East were often nothing more than layers of woven mats or blankets laid out at night and gathered by day. The action of רָפַד evokes that domestic picture. Thematic Connections 1. Rest vs. Restlessness: Job longs for rest yet expects only darkness (Job 17:13), while the bride seeks rest and finds it through love (Song of Songs 2:5). Scripture holds these in tension until true rest is secured in the Lord (Psalm 23:2; Matthew 11:28). Christological and Ministry Implications • The grave that Job dreads finds its answer in the empty tomb; Christ “spread” His own body in death so that His people might one day lie down in peace and rise in glory (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Application for Believers Today • When suffering tempts the heart to prepare a bed in darkness, prayerfully “spread” God’s promises instead, allowing Scripture to cushion despair with hope (Romans 15:4). Related Scriptures Psalm 139:8; Isaiah 57:2; Jeremiah 31:25; Matthew 11:28; Hebrews 4:9–11; Revelation 7:17 Forms and Transliterations יִרְפַּ֖ד ירפד רִפַּ֥דְתִּי רַפְּד֖וּנִי רפדוני רפדתי rap·pə·ḏū·nî rappeDuni rappəḏūnî rip·paḏ·tî ripPadti rippaḏtî yir·paḏ yirPad yirpaḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 17:13 HEB: בֵּיתִ֑י בַּ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ רִפַּ֥דְתִּי יְצוּעָֽי׃ NAS: as my home, I make my bed KJV: [is] mine house: I have made my bed INT: my home the darkness make my bed Job 41:30 Songs 2:5 3 Occurrences |