רָחַף
To brood ; by implication, to be relaxed
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.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does רָחַף mean in the Bible?
רָחַף is a Hebrew word meaning "to brood ; by implication, to be relaxed". to brood; by implication, to be relaxed BDB: grow soft Usage: flutter, move, shake.
Meaning
to brood; by implication, to be relaxed BDB: grow soft Usage: flutter, move, shake.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 2×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 1×
Hebrew Verb Forms
How this verb appears across 3 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).
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)