What does עָרַף (ʿārap) mean in the Bible?
עָרַף (ʿārap): Violent severing of life force; metaphorically extends to total destruction or subjugation of power
Hebrew · H6202
עָרַף
To break the neck ; hence (figuratively) to destroy
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
עָרַף H6202
Pronunciation ʿārap
What does עָרַף (ʿārap) mean in the Bible?
עָרַף (ʿārap): Violent severing of life force; metaphorically extends to total destruction or subjugation of power
Full entry for עָרַף (H6202) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6202?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include neck (2), you are to break its neck (2), whose neck has been broken (1), will break down (1).
Where does עָרַף (ʿārap) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 13:13. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (2), Exodus (2), Hosea (1), Isaiah (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 It neck 2× Deuteronomy 21:4, Isaiah 66:3
you are to break its neck 2× Exodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
whose neck has been broken 1× Deuteronomy 21:6
will break down 1× Hosea 10:2
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 13:13 וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ to you are to break its neck Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Exodus 34:20 וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ to you are to break its neck Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Deuteronomy 21:4 וְעָֽרְפוּ־ to neck Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Deuteronomy 21:6 הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה to whose neck has been broken Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular Isaiah 66:3 עֹ֣רֵֽף to neck Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Hosea 10:2 יַעֲרֹ֣ף to will break down Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Exodus 13:13
Aligned rows 6
Books represented 4
Exodus 2 Deuteronomy 2 Isaiah 1 Hosea 1
Source forms
וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ 2x wa·‘ă·rap̄·tōw Exodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה 1x hā·‘ă·rū·p̄āh Deuteronomy 21:6
וְעָֽרְפוּ־ 1x wə·‘ā·rə·p̄ū- Deuteronomy 21:4
יַעֲרֹ֣ף 1x ya·‘ă·rōp̄ Hosea 10:2
עֹ֣רֵֽף 1x ‘ō·rêp̄ Isaiah 66:3
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular 2x Exodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular 1x Deuteronomy 21:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural 1x Deuteronomy 21:4
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular 1x Hosea 10:2
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular 1x Isaiah 66:3
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Violent severing of life force; metaphorically extends to total destruction or subjugation of power
Source Gloss
to break the neck ; hence (figuratively) to destroy
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Violent severing of life force; metaphorically extends to total destruction or subjugation of power
to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy BDB: break the neck Usage: that is beheaded, break down, break (cut off, strike off) neck.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 1 Aligned forms 2
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 2×
Imperfect Hos 10:2 1×
Participle active Isa 66:3 1×
Word Origins
עָרַף is built from this root:
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.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain