Hebrew · H7496

רָפָא

Properly, lax , i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead ; in plural only)

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 theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.

רָפָאH7496
Pronunciationrāpāʾ

What does רָפָא (rāpāʾ) mean in the Bible?

רָפָא (rāpāʾ): Spirits of the dead; figures lacking substance or vitality, existing in shadowy underworld realm.

Full entry for רָפָא (H7496) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does רָפָא (rāpāʾ) mean in the Bible?

רָפָא (rāpāʾ): Spirits of the dead; figures lacking substance or vitality, existing in shadowy underworld realm.

How does the BSB render H7496?

The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include The dead (2), the departed spirits (2), Do departed spirits (1), her dead (1), of the dead (1).

Where does רָפָא (rāpāʾ) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Job 26:5. Its strongest book concentrations include Isaiah (3), Proverbs (3), Job (1), Psalms (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
The deadJob 26:5, Proverbs 9:18
the departed spiritsProverbs 2:18, Isaiah 26:14
Do departed spiritsPsalms 88:10
her deadIsaiah 26:19
of the deadProverbs 21:16
the spirits of the deadIsaiah 14:9
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map

A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.

First aligned rowJob 26:5
Aligned rows8
Books represented4
Job1Psalms1Proverbs3Isaiah3
Source forms
רְ֝פָאִ֗ים2xrə·p̄ā·’îmPsalms 88:10, Proverbs 2:18
רְפָאִ֣ים2xrə·p̄ā·’îmProverbs 9:18, Proverbs 21:16
הָרְפָאִ֥ים1xhā·rə·p̄ā·’îmJob 26:5
רְפָאִים֙1xrə·p̄ā·’îmIsaiah 14:9
רְפָאִ֖ים1xrə·p̄ā·’îmIsaiah 26:14
רְפָאִ֥ים1xrə·p̄ā·’îmIsaiah 26:19
Parsing patterns
Noun - masculine plural7xPsalms 88:10, Proverbs 2:18, Proverbs 9:18, Proverbs 21:16
Article | Noun - masculine plural1xJob 26:5
Sources