Lexical Summary raphas: To trample, to tread upon Original Word: רָפַס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance humble self, submit self A primitive root; to trample, i.e. Prostrate -- humble self, submit self. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to stamp, tread NASB Translation foul (1), fouled (1), humble (1), trampled (1), trampling under foot (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רָפַס, רָפַשׂ verb stamp, tread, foul by stamping, treading (Late Hebrew רָפַס tread, Syriac  ; compare Arabic  kick); — Qal Imperfect2masculine singular וַתִּרְמֹּס Ezekiel 32:2, with accusative rivers; 2masculine plural תִּרְמּשֹׁ֑וּן Ezekiel 34:18. Niph`al Participle מַעְיָן נִרְמָּשׂ Proverbs 25:26 a fountain befouled. Hithpa`el (stamp oneself down, then figurative), Imperative masculine singular הִתְרַמֵּס Proverbs 6:3 humble thyself, become a suppliant (RVm Toy bestir thyself, as conjecture); Participle מִתְרַמֵּס בְּרַצֵּי כָ֑סֶף Psalm 68:31 stamping, trampling, down pieces of silver (?), obscure and probably corrupt, see conjectures in Bae and others and מַּתְרֹס above, near the end [רְפַס] verb tread, trample (compare Biblical Hebrew (late)); — Pe`al Participle active feminine singular בּרגיה רָֽסְפָה, with accusative of thing Daniel 7:7,19. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Hebrew 7511, רָפַס, conveys the vivid picture of pressing down or stamping with the feet and, by extension, of prostrating oneself in humble submission. Though occurring only twice in the Old Testament, its contexts—Psalm 68:30 and Proverbs 6:3—show the concept’s breadth, ranging from national subjugation to personal humility in everyday relationships. Scriptural Usage 1. Psalm 68:30 (English numbering) places the verb within a martial, triumphal psalm. The psalmist pleads, “Rebuke the beast in the reeds, the herd of bulls, among the calves of the nations, until it brings pieces of silver in humble submission. Scatter the peoples who delight in war”. Here, רָפַס describes the forced yielding of hostile nations to the rule of Zion’s King. The image is of enemies figuratively pressed to the ground, compelled to acknowledge divine sovereignty. 2. Proverbs 6:3 adopts the same physical image for a domestic, almost mundane, scenario. “Then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have put yourself under your neighbor’s power: Go, humble yourself, and plead with your neighbor”. The wise father urges his son to prostrate himself—figuratively, if not literally—before the neighbor to escape the snare of an unwise pledge. The verb underscores genuine contrition and urgent self-abasement. Historical and Cultural Background In the Ancient Near East, bodily posture communicated social status and intent. Bowing low or falling prostrate before a superior signified loyalty, dependence, or surrender. Military victors placed their feet on the necks of defeated kings (Joshua 10:24), visually proclaiming dominion. רָפַס draws on this shared cultural language: a stamped or tread-down posture equals acknowledged subordination. Psalm 68 likely celebrates a royal or cultic procession wherein surrounding nations are envisioned bringing tribute to Jerusalem. The psalmist’s prayer that these nations “submit with pieces of silver” reflects Near-Eastern vassal treaties in which conquered peoples brought valuables as signs of allegiance. In Proverbs, commercial entanglements were settled in community courts at the city gate; failure to repay could lead to personal enslavement. The sage counsels swift, humble negotiation—an overt act of submission that might mitigate financial ruin. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. Divine Kingship and Human Pride Psalm 68:30 reminds readers that every power must eventually bow before God’s rule. Nations, like individuals, are accountable to the throne of Heaven. רָפַס embodies the eschatological hope that rebellious systems will one day yield to Christ’s dominion (Philippians 2:10-11). 2. Humility as Deliverance Proverbs 6:3 elevates humility from mere etiquette to a means of rescue. Pride prolongs bondage; voluntary self-abasement paves the way to freedom. The New Testament echoes the same principle: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10). 3. Worship Posture While the modern church may less frequently employ physical prostration, the inner attitude of רָפַס—whole-person submission—is integral to authentic worship. The psalm’s liturgical setting invites believers to reenact spiritual surrender, whether kneeling privately or gathering corporately. Practical Applications • Personal Conflict Resolution When relationships strain, Proverbs 6:3 prescribes active, self-lowering repentance rather than defensive self-justification. Such steps often dissolve hostilities before they escalate. • Corporate Prayer Churches can incorporate moments of silent kneeling or extended confession, prompting congregants to rehearse the raphas-posture of yieldedness before God. • Mission and Justice Psalm 68’s vision encourages intercession for “peoples who delight in war.” The ultimate goal is not annihilation but their transformed submission to Christ, demonstrated by bringing “silver”—their resources and allegiance—into His service. Summary Though rare in Scripture, רָפַס paints a rich, multifaceted portrait of submission. Whether depicting nations subdued by God’s mighty hand or an individual bowing before a wronged neighbor, the verb calls every heart to the same end: willingly yield to the righteous authority of the Lord, trusting that His exaltation of the humble is sure and His humbling of the proud is unavoidable. Forms and Transliterations הִ֝תְרַפֵּ֗ס התרפס מִתְרַפֵּ֥ס מתרפס hiṯ·rap·pês hitrapPes hiṯrappês miṯ·rap·pês mitrapPes miṯrappêsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 68:30 HEB: בְּעֶגְלֵ֬י עַמִּ֗ים מִתְרַפֵּ֥ס בְּרַצֵּי־ כָ֑סֶף NAS: of the peoples, Trampling under foot the pieces KJV: of the people, [till every one] submit himself with pieces INT: the calves of the peoples Trampling the pieces of silver Proverbs 6:3 2 Occurrences |
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