Hebrew · H7291, G1377 · unreviewed

רָדַף

To run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by ) · to pursue

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

רָדַף H7291 to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by )
Pronunciation rodeph
Pursuit with hostile intent; captures both literal chase and metaphorical escape of fleeting time.
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διώκω G1377 to pursue
Pronunciation diṓkō
Pursue with intensity; in NT often means persecute actively or seek eagerly after virtues.
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What does רָדַף (radaph) mean in the Bible?

רָדַף · διώκω is a Hebrew word meaning "to chase or pursue aggressively".

Full entry for רָדַף (H7291, G1377) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to chase or pursue aggressively
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 42×
Imperfect 1Sam 26:20 · Deut 19:6 · Deut 32:30 · Josh 20:5 · Josh 23:10 · Ps 7:6 · 1Sam 30:8 · Exod 15:9 · Ps 18:38 · 2Sam 2:28 · Isa 5:11 · Lev 26:8 · Deut 16:20 · Job 13:25 · Lam 3:66 · Hos 6:3 18×
Participle active 1Sam 24:15 · 1Sam 26:18 · Isa 51:1 · Judg 4:22 · Judg 8:5 · Lam 1:6 · Lev 26:17 · Lev 26:36 · Prov 21:21 · Prov 28:1 · Ps 119:150 11×
Sequential imperfect Josh 2:5 · Josh 10:19 · Judg 3:28 · Ps 71:11 · 1Sam 30:8 · Gen 44:4
Perfect 2Sam 20:10 · Judg 4:16 · Ps 143:3 · Gen 35:5 · Josh 2:7 · Ps 69:27
Cohortative 2Sam 22:38
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle passive Eccl 3:15
Perfect Lam 5:5
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Imperfect Nah 1:8 · Prov 13:21
Participle active Prov 19:7
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 47 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 20 Participle 12 Perfect 7 Imperative 6 Cohortative 1 Participle passive 1
Stem
Qal 42 Piel 3 Niphal 2
Mood
Indicative/jussive 15 Indicative 7 Imperative 6 Indicative/cohortative 5
OT Occurrences
Gen 35:5 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Gen 44:4 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Exod 15:9 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Lev 26:8 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Lev 26:17 Qal · Participle Lev 26:36 Qal · Participle Deut 16:20 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 19:6 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Deut 32:30 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Josh 2:5 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Josh 2:7 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Josh 10:19 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Josh 20:5 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Josh 23:10 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Judg 3:28 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Judg 4:16 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Judg 4:22 Qal · Participle Judg 8:5 Qal · Participle 1 Sam 24:15 Qal · Participle 1 Sam 26:18 Qal · Participle 1 Sam 26:20 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 1 Sam 30:8 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative 1 Sam 30:8 Qal · Imperative · Imperative 2 Sam 2:28 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive 2 Sam 20:10 Qal · Perfect · Indicative 2 Sam 22:38 Qal · Cohortative Job 13:25 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Job 19:28 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Job 30:15 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Ps 7:6 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Ps 18:38 Qal · Imperfect · Indicative/cohortative Ps 69:27 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Ps 71:11 Qal · Imperative · Imperative Ps 119:150 Qal · Participle Ps 143:3 Qal · Perfect · Indicative Prov 13:21 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Prov 19:7 Piel · Participle Prov 21:21 Qal · Participle Prov 28:1 Qal · Participle Eccl 3:15 Niphal · Participle passive +7 more occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)
Sources