7503. raphah
Lexical Summary
raphah: To relax, to let go, to cease, to be weak, to be idle

Original Word: רָפָה
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raphah
Pronunciation: rah-FAH
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-faw')
KJV: abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en) See H7495
NASB: fail, lazy, cease, dropped, fall limp, hang limp, let
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
abate, cease, consume, draw toward evening, fail, be faint, be wax feeble, forsake,

A primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) -- abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening), fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak(-en). See rapha'.

see HEBREW rapha'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
sink, relax
NASB Translation
abandon* (1), alone* (2), become helpless (1), become* (1), cease (2), collapses (1), courage* (1), discouraged* (2), discouraging* (1), drawn (1), dropped (2), fail (5), fall limp (2), feeble (1), forsake (1), hang limp (2), lazy (3), leave (1), let (2), let her alone (1), let him alone (1), let him go (1), let it go (1), let me alone (1), let us alone (1), let go (1), limp (1), loosens (1), lose courage* (1), lost (1), put off (1), relax (2), slack (2), subsided (1), wait (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
רָפה verb sink, relax (Late Hebrew id., so Aramaic רפא (derived species), Zinjirli רפה Aph`el, ; Arabic an easy life is perhaps akin); —

Qal Perfect3masculine singular Judges 19:9 (yet see below); 3 feminine singular רָֽפִ֑תָה Judges 8:3; Jeremiah 49:24, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִרְמֶּה Isaiah 5:24, וַיִּרֶף Exodus 4:26 (see below), etc.; —

1 sink down, of hay in flame Isaiah 5:24; sink, decline, of day Judges 19:9 (si vera lectio; ᵐ5L κέκλικεν, GFM נָטָה [but how explain the difficult רפה?]). Usu.

2 sink, drop (of wings, see

Pi`el), of hands, with מִן Nehemiah 6:9 their hands will drop from the work (in fear); elsewhere absolute figurative = lose heart, energy, 2 Samuel 4:1; Isaiah 13:7; Jeremiah 6:24; Jeremiah 50:43; Ezekiel 7:17; Ezekiel 21:12; Zephaniah 3:16; יָרַיִם omitted Jeremiah 49:24.

3 sink, relax, abate, of temper Judges 8:3 (+ מֵעַל person).

4 relax, withdraw, subject ׳י, מִן person Exodus 4:26 (J), i.e. let one alone (but read perhaps וַיֶרֶף, see Hiph`il).

Niph`al Participle plural נִרְמִּים idle Exodus 5:8,17 (J).

Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular רִמָּה Job 12:21; Imperfect3feminine plural תְּרַמֶּינָה Ezekiel 1:24,25; Participle מְרַמֵּא (Ges§ 75rr) Jeremiah 38:4; plural מְמִַּים Ezra 4:4; — causative: let wings drop Ezekiel 1:24,25 (read

Qal, כנפיהם subject, ᵐ5 Co Toy Krae and others, who strike out in Ezekiel 1:25); loosen and let drop, girdle of mighty, figurative for weaken them Job 12:21; with accusative hands, figurative for enfeeble, dishearten Jeremiah 38:4; Ezra 4:4.

Hiph`il Imperfect, 3 masculine singular suffix יַרְמְּךָ Deuteronomy 4:31 +; jussive 2 masculine singular תֶּ֫רֶף Joshua 10:6 +, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַרְמֵּה Judges 11:37; 2 Kings 4:27; הֶֶ֫רֶךָ Deuteronomy 9:14 +; masculine plural הַרְמּוּ Psalm 46:11; — causative,

1 let drop, the hand 2 Samuel 24:16 = 1 Chronicles 21:15; figurative, + מִן person, = abandon, Joshua 10:6 (JE); perhaps also (יָד omitted) = relax, refrain Exodus 4:26 (reading וַיֶרֶף, see

Qal); accusative of thing, = abandon, forsake, Nehemiah 6:3, so (subject ׳י) Psalm 138:8; subject ׳י, with accusative of person, Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5 (D), 1 Chronicles 28:20.

2 let go, suffix person, Songs 3:4 (opposed to אחז); figurative, accusative (omitted) מוּסָר, Proverbs 4:13 (opposed to החזיק), צְדָקָה Job 27:6 (opposed to id.).

3 refrain, with מִן person, = let one alone Judges 11:37; Deuteronomy 9:14, מִן of anger Psalm 37:8; with ל person 1 Samuel 11:3; 2 Kings 4:27; accusative of person Job 7:19; absolute let alone, i.e. do nothing, be quiet, 1 Samuel 15:16; Psalm 46:11 (compare Weir in Dr1Samuel 15:16). — Jeremiah 3:22; Job 5:18; Psalm 60:4 see רָפָא.

Hithpa`el Perfect2masculine singular הִתְרַמִּיתָ Proverbs 24:10 hast shewn thyself slack; Participle מִתְרַמֶּה Proverbs 18:9 one shewing himself slack, plural מִתְרַמִּים Joshua 18:3. — See also רָפָא heal.

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Usage

Strong’s 7503 appears about forty-six times, touching virtually every period of Old Testament history—from the wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy) through the monarchy (Samuel, Kings, Chronicles), the exile (Jeremiah), and the post-exilic era (Nehemiah, Zephaniah). The contexts cluster around two poles: (1) physical or emotional weakening and (2) deliberate refraining or letting go. Together they trace a moral and spiritual polarity: covenant faithfulness marked by steadfastness versus covenant unfaithfulness marked by laxity or faint-heartedness.

Narrative Contexts

1. Divine Assurance

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8; Joshua 1:5 record the Lord’s covenant promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Here the verb underscores that Yahweh will not “loosen His grip” on His people. The word choice heightens the contrast between God’s unwavering commitment and Israel’s frequent tendency to “let go” of obedience.

2. Call to Courageous Action

Joshua 18:3 voices Joshua’s frustration at the tribes’ hesitation: “How long will you delay to go in and take possession of the land?” The usage highlights the spiritual peril of procrastination when God has opened doors for advance.

3. Episodes of Human Weakness

2 Samuel 21:15 notes that “David grew weary” in battle against the Philistines; Nehemiah 6:9 records the enemies’ taunt that the builders’ “hands will become weak.” The same verb links battlefield exhaustion and vocational discouragement, pointing to a common need for renewed strength from the Lord.

4. Divine Restraint in Judgment

Deuteronomy 9:14; Jeremiah 42:10 portray the Lord saying, in effect, “Leave Me alone, that I may deal with them,” or “I relent of the disaster.” God’s “relaxing” of judgment is never capricious; it flows from covenant mercy and invites repentance.

Covenantal and Ethical Implications

1. God’s Fidelity versus Human Laxity

Each time Scripture declares that God will not “fail,” it implicitly rebukes any suspicion that He might loosen His grip. Conversely, Israel’s recurring temptation was to grow slack in devotion (Judges 18:9; 2 Chronicles 15:7).

2. Work Ethic and Social Responsibility

Proverbs repeatedly contrasts diligence with slackness (Proverbs 18:9; 24:10). Failure to persevere in labor is not a minor character flaw but a breach of covenant wisdom that endangers the community.

3. Restraint from Sinful Passion

Psalm 37:8 urges, “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.” A deliberate “letting go” of rage aligns the worshiper with God’s righteousness.

Liturgical and Wisdom Literature

1. Call to Contemplative Stillness

Psalm 46:10 stands as the classic invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Here the verb points to a quieted heart that ceases striving, acknowledges God’s sovereignty, and finds security in His exaltation among the nations.

2. Holding Tight to Instruction

Proverbs 4:13 exhorts, “Hold on to instruction; do not let go.” Covenant wisdom is pictured as something easily dropped if vigilance wanes.

3. The Peril of Spiritual Slackness

Proverbs 24:10 warns, “If you falter in a day of distress, how small is your strength!” The verb exposes a heart unprepared for adversity because it previously relaxed its grip on truth.

Prophetic Warnings and Promises

1. Hands Hanging Limp

Zephaniah 3:16 consoles Jerusalem: “Do not let your hands fall limp.” Slack hands symbolize despair; prophetic hope commands renewed strength grounded in the Lord’s presence (3:17).

2. Futility of Human Alliances

Isaiah 30:7, 15 indict Judah for seeking help from Egypt. Their “strength is to sit still,” yet they refuse the rest God offers. The passage juxtaposes sinful passivity with God-ordained quiet trust.

3. Divine Relenting

Jeremiah 42:10 lifts a note of grace: if the remnant remains in the land, God “will relent of the disaster.” His “easing” of judgment depends on their obedience, underscoring the dynamic interplay of justice and mercy.

Historical and Theological Observations

• The verb never attributes slackness to God in a moral sense; when applied to Him, it always emphasizes forbearance or mercy, never fickleness.
• Human slackness, whether fear (Numbers), procrastination (Joshua), sloth (Proverbs), or despair (Nehemiah), reflects unbelief.
• The linguistic thread unites physical weakness, moral looseness, and spiritual resignation, teaching that every arena of life—body, mind, and spirit—must remain engaged under the covenant Lord.

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

1. Encouraging Perseverance

Preachers can connect Joshua 1:5 with Hebrews 13:5–6, assuring believers that God’s unfailing grip empowers unwavering mission.

2. Cultivating Holy Stillness

Psalm 46:10 provides a paradigm for prayer retreats and Sabbath rhythms, distinguishing faith-filled repose from lazy passivity.

3. Addressing Sloth and Discouragement

Nehemiah 6:9 and Proverbs 24:10 speak directly to ministry teams tempted to quit. Leaders can call congregations to strengthen weak hands (Hebrews 12:12), echoing the prophetic imperative.

4. Teaching Balanced Emotion

Psalm 37:8 guides believers to release anger before it blossoms into unrighteous action—a vital lesson for counseling and peacemaking.

Key Verses for Meditation and Teaching

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous… He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 18:3 – “How long will you delay to go in and take possession of the land?”

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Proverbs 4:13 – “Hold on to instruction; do not let go.”

Proverbs 24:10 – “If you falter in a day of distress, how small is your strength!”

Isaiah 30:15 – “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.”

Zephaniah 3:16–17 – “Do not let your hands fall limp… He will rejoice over you with singing.”

In every context, רָפָה confronts God’s people with a choice: will they let their hands drop in fear and moral laxity, or will they cling to the everlasting arms that never loosen their hold?

Forms and Transliterations
אַרְפְּךָ֖ אַרְפֶּ֑הָ אַרְפֶּ֔הָ אַרְפֶּ֔נּוּ ארפה ארפך ארפנו הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ הֶ֚רֶף הֶ֣רֶף הֶ֤רֶף הַרְפֵּ֨ה הַרְפֵּֽה־ הַרְפּ֣וּ הרף הרפה הרפה־ הרפו התרפית וְרָפ֣וּ וְרָפ֨וּ וַיִּ֖רֶף וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ וירף וירפו ורפו יִרְפֶּ֔ה יִרְפּ֖וּ יִרְפּ֥וּ יִרְפּ֧וּ יַרְפְּךָ֖ יַרְפְּךָ֙ ירפה ירפו ירפך מְרַפִּ֖ים מְרַפֵּ֡א מִתְרַפִּ֔ים מִתְרַפֶּ֣ה מרפא מרפים מתרפה מתרפים נִרְפִּ֑ים נִרְפִּ֣ים נִרְפִּ֥ים נרפים רִפָּֽה׃ רָפ֣וּ רָפְתָ֤ה רָפְתָ֥ה רָפָ֨ה רפה רפה׃ רפו רפתה תְּרַפֶּ֥ינָה תִּרְפֶּ֑ינָה תֶּ֑רֶף תֶּ֥רֶף תֶּֽרֶף׃ תַ֝רְפֵּ֗נִי תרף תרף׃ תרפינה תרפני ’ar·pe·hā ’ar·pə·ḵā ’ar·pen·nū ’arpehā ’arpəḵā ’arpennū arpeCha arPeha arPennu har·pêh har·pêh- har·pū harPeh harpêh harpêh- harPu harpū he·rep̄ Heref herep̄ hiṯ·rap·pî·ṯā Hitrappita hiṯrappîṯā mə·rap·pê mə·rap·pîm merapPe mərappê merapPim mərappîm miṯ·rap·peh miṯ·rap·pîm mitrapPeh miṯrappeh mitrapPim miṯrappîm nir·pîm nirPim nirpîm rā·p̄āh rā·p̄ə·ṯāh rā·p̄ū raFah rafeTah raFu rāp̄āh rāp̄əṯāh rāp̄ū rip·pāh ripPah rippāh ṯar·pê·nî tarPeni ṯarpênî tə·rap·pe·nāh te·rep̄ terapPeinah tərappenāh Teref terep̄ tir·pe·nāh tirPeinah tirpenāh vaiYiref vaiyirPu veraFu way·yi·rep̄ way·yir·pū wayyirep̄ wayyirpū wə·rā·p̄ū wərāp̄ū yar·pə·ḵā yarpeCha yarpəḵā yir·peh yir·pū yirpeh yirPu yirpū
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Exodus 4:26
HEB: וַיִּ֖רֶף מִמֶּ֑נּוּ אָ֚ז
NAS: So He let him alone. At that time
KJV: So he let him go: then she said,
INT: let that time

Exodus 5:8
HEB: מִמֶּ֑נּוּ כִּֽי־ נִרְפִּ֣ים הֵ֔ם עַל־
NAS: of it. Because they are lazy, therefore
KJV: upon them; ye shall not diminish [ought] thereof: for they [be] idle; therefore they cry,
INT: any Because are lazy like and

Exodus 5:17
HEB: וַיֹּ֛אמֶר נִרְפִּ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם נִרְפִּ֑ים
NAS: But he said, You are lazy, [very] lazy;
KJV: But he said, Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle:
INT: said are lazy you lazy

Exodus 5:17
HEB: נִרְפִּ֥ים אַתֶּ֖ם נִרְפִּ֑ים עַל־ כֵּן֙
NAS: You are lazy, [very] lazy; therefore
KJV: Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle: therefore ye say,
INT: are lazy you lazy and after that

Deuteronomy 4:31
HEB: אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָ
NAS: God; He will not fail you nor
KJV: God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy
INT: your God nor fail nor destroy

Deuteronomy 9:14
HEB: הֶ֤רֶף מִמֶּ֙נִּי֙ וְאַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם
NAS: Let Me alone, that I may destroy
KJV: Let me alone, that I may destroy
INT: Let than may destroy

Deuteronomy 31:6
HEB: עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א יַעַזְבֶֽךָּ׃
NAS: is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake
KJV: he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake
INT: with He will not fail or forsake

Deuteronomy 31:8
HEB: עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א יַֽעַזְבֶ֑ךָּ
NAS: ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake
KJV: before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake
INT: with He will not fail or forsake

Joshua 1:5
HEB: עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א אַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א אֶעֶזְבֶֽךָּ׃
NAS: with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake
KJV: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake
INT: with No fail No forsake

Joshua 10:6
HEB: לֵאמֹ֔ר אַל־ תֶּ֥רֶף יָדֶ֖יךָ מֵֽעֲבָדֶ֑יךָ
NAS: saying, Do not abandon your servants;
KJV: saying, Slack not thy hand
INT: saying nay Slack hand your servants

Joshua 18:3
HEB: אָ֙נָה֙ אַתֶּ֣ם מִתְרַפִּ֔ים לָבוֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת
NAS: long will you put off entering
KJV: of Israel, How long [are] ye slack to go
INT: How will you put entering to take

Judges 8:3
HEB: כָּכֶ֑ם אָ֗ז רָפְתָ֤ה רוּחָם֙ מֵֽעָלָ֔יו
NAS: toward him subsided when he said
KJV: in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said
INT: to do Then subsided their anger and

Judges 11:37
HEB: הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה הַרְפֵּ֨ה מִמֶּ֜נִּי שְׁנַ֣יִם
NAS: thing be done for me; let me alone two
KJV: be done for me: let me alone two
INT: thing this let at two

Judges 19:9
HEB: הִנֵּ֣ה נָא֩ רָפָ֨ה הַיּ֜וֹם לַעֲרֹ֗ב
NAS: the day has drawn to a close;
KJV: unto him, Behold, now the day draweth toward evening,
INT: Behold now has drawn the day to a close

1 Samuel 11:3
HEB: זִקְנֵ֣י יָבֵ֗ישׁ הֶ֤רֶף לָ֙נוּ֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת
NAS: said to him, Let us alone for seven
KJV: days' respite, that we may send
INT: the elders of Jabesh Let seven days

1 Samuel 15:16
HEB: אֶל־ שָׁא֔וּל הֶ֚רֶף וְאַגִּ֣ידָה לְּךָ֔
NAS: to Saul, Wait, and let me tell
KJV: unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell
INT: to Saul Wait tell what

2 Samuel 4:1
HEB: אַבְנֵר֙ בְּחֶבְר֔וֹן וַיִּרְפּ֖וּ יָדָ֑יו וְכָל־
NAS: in Hebron, he lost courage,
KJV: his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites
INT: Abner Hebron lost his hands and all

2 Samuel 24:16
HEB: רַ֔ב עַתָּ֖ה הֶ֣רֶף יָדֶ֑ךָ וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
NAS: Now relax your hand!
KJV: It is enough: stay now thine hand.
INT: is enough Now relax your hand and the angel

2 Kings 4:27
HEB: אִ֨ישׁ הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים הַרְפֵּֽה־ לָהּ֙ כִּֽי־
NAS: said, Let her alone, for her soul
KJV: said, Let her alone; for her soul
INT: the man of God Let for her soul

1 Chronicles 21:15
HEB: רַ֔ב עַתָּ֖ה הֶ֣רֶף יָדֶ֑ךָ וּמַלְאַ֤ךְ
NAS: now relax your hand.
KJV: It is enough, stay now thine hand.
INT: is enough now relax your hand and the angel

1 Chronicles 28:20
HEB: עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֤א יַרְפְּךָ֙ וְלֹ֣א יַֽעַזְבֶ֔ךָּ
NAS: my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor
KJV: [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake
INT: you nor fail nor forsake

2 Chronicles 15:7
HEB: חִזְק֔וּ וְאַל־ יִרְפּ֖וּ יְדֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֛י
KJV: therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work
INT: you be strong nay be weak your hands for

Ezra 4:4
HEB: עַם־ הָאָ֔רֶץ מְרַפִּ֖ים יְדֵ֣י עַם־
NAS: of the land discouraged the people
KJV: of the land weakened the hands
INT: the people of the land weakened the hands the people

Nehemiah 6:3
HEB: הַמְּלָאכָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔הָ וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
NAS: while I leave it and come down
KJV: whilst I leave it, and come down
INT: the work whilst leave down about

Nehemiah 6:9
HEB: אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־
NAS: They will become discouraged with the work
KJV: Their hands shall be weakened from the work,
INT: frighten thinking shall be weakened my hands with

46 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7503
46 Occurrences


’ar·pə·ḵā — 1 Occ.
’ar·pe·hā — 2 Occ.
’ar·pen·nū — 1 Occ.
har·pêh — 2 Occ.
har·pū — 1 Occ.
he·rep̄ — 6 Occ.
hiṯ·rap·pî·ṯā — 1 Occ.
mə·rap·pê — 1 Occ.
mə·rap·pîm — 1 Occ.
miṯ·rap·peh — 1 Occ.
miṯ·rap·pîm — 1 Occ.
nir·pîm — 3 Occ.
rā·p̄āh — 1 Occ.
rā·p̄ə·ṯāh — 2 Occ.
rā·p̄ū — 1 Occ.
rip·pāh — 1 Occ.
ṯar·pê·nî — 1 Occ.
tə·rap·pe·nāh — 2 Occ.
te·rep̄ — 3 Occ.
tir·pe·nāh — 2 Occ.
way·yi·rep̄ — 1 Occ.
way·yir·pū — 1 Occ.
wə·rā·p̄ū — 2 Occ.
yar·pə·ḵā — 4 Occ.
yir·peh — 1 Occ.
yir·pū — 3 Occ.

7502
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