What does נָפַשׁ (nāpaš) mean in the Bible?
נָפַשׁ (nāpaš): Breathing metaphorically grounds refreshment and restoration in physical restoration of vital breath-life itself
Hebrew · H5314
נָפַשׁ
To breathe ; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air)
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נָפַשׁH5314
Pronunciationnāpaš
What does נָפַשׁ (nāpaš) mean in the Bible?
נָפַשׁ (nāpaš): Breathing metaphorically grounds refreshment and restoration in physical restoration of vital breath-life itself
Full entry for נָפַשׁ (H5314) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5314?
The BSB source-word alignment has 3 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and was refreshed (1), he refreshed himself (1), may be refreshed (1).
Where does נָפַשׁ (nāpaš) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 23:12. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (2), 2 Samuel (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand was refreshed1×Exodus 31:17
he refreshed himself1×2 Samuel 16:14
may be refreshed1×Exodus 23:12
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 23:12וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁtomay be refreshedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 31:17וַיִּנָּפַֽשׁ׃סtoand was refreshedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 16:14וַיִּנָּפֵ֖שׁtohe refreshed himselfConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 23:12
Aligned rows3
Books represented2
Exodus22 Samuel1
Source forms
וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁ1xwə·yin·nā·p̄êšExodus 23:12
וַיִּנָּפֵ֖שׁ1xway·yin·nā·p̄êš2 Samuel 16:14
וַיִּנָּפַֽשׁ׃ס1xway·yin·nā·p̄ašExodus 31:17
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular2xExodus 31:17, 2 Samuel 16:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 23:12
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Breathing metaphorically grounds refreshment and restoration in physical restoration of vital breath-life itself
Source Gloss
to breathe ; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Breathing metaphorically grounds refreshment and restoration in physical restoration of vital breath-life itself
to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air) BDB: take breath Usage: (be) refresh selves (-ed).
Word Origins
נָפַשׁ is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.