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
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עָרַףH6202
Pronunciationʿārap
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 Itneck2×Deuteronomy 21:4, Isaiah 66:3
you are to break its neck2×Exodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
whose neck has been broken1×Deuteronomy 21:6
will break down1×Hosea 10:2
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 13:13וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹtoyou are to break its neckConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singularExodus 34:20וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹtoyou are to break its neckConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 21:4וְעָֽרְפוּ־toneckConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralDeuteronomy 21:6הָעֲרוּפָ֥הtowhose neck has been brokenArticle | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singularIsaiah 66:3עֹ֣רֵֽףtoneckVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularHosea 10:2יַעֲרֹ֣ףtowill break downVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 13:13
Aligned rows6
Books represented4
Exodus2Deuteronomy2Isaiah1Hosea1
Source forms
וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ2xwa·‘ă·rap̄·tōwExodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה1xhā·‘ă·rū·p̄āhDeuteronomy 21:6
וְעָֽרְפוּ־1xwə·‘ā·rə·p̄ū-Deuteronomy 21:4
יַעֲרֹ֣ף1xya·‘ă·rōp̄Hosea 10:2
עֹ֣רֵֽף1x‘ō·rêp̄Isaiah 66:3
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular2xExodus 13:13, Exodus 34:20
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular1xDeuteronomy 21:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1xDeuteronomy 21:4
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xHosea 10:2
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xIsaiah 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 definitionSource: 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 groups1Aligned forms2
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense2×
ImperfectHos 10:21×
Participle activeIsa 66:31×
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.