Hebrew · H7503, G4455 · unreviewed

רָפָה

To slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) · ever

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

רָפָה H7503 to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
Pronunciation rāpāh
Progressive loss of strength or tension; weakening resolve, physical vigor, or commitment across literal and moral domains.
Open lexicon entry →
πώποτε G4455 ever
Pronunciation pṓpote
Open lexicon entry →

What does רָפָה (raphah) mean in the Bible?

רָפָה · πώποτε is a Hebrew word meaning "to loosen, become negligent, slacken effort".

Full entry for רָפָה (H7503, G4455) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to loosen, become negligent, slacken effort
Grammatical Forms

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

Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 12×
Sequential imperfect 1Chr 21:15 · 1Sam 11:3 · 1Sam 15:16 · 2Kgs 4:27 · 2Sam 24:16 · Deut 9:14 · Judg 11:37 · Ps 37:8 · Ps 46:11
Jussive Josh 10:6 · Prov 4:13 · Ps 138:8
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle active Exod 5:8 · Exod 5:17
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 10×
Imperfect Ezek 7:17 · Isa 13:7 · Isa 5:24 · Neh 6:9
Perfect Jer 49:24 · Judg 8:3 · Jer 6:24 · Judg 19:9
Jussive 2Chr 15:7 · Zeph 3:16
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action
Imperfect Ezek 1:24 · Ezek 1:25
Participle active Ezra 4:4 · Jer 38:4
Perfect Job 12:21
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others
Participle active Josh 18:3 · Prov 18:9
Perfect Prov 24:10
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 33 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 11 Imperative 9 Participle 7 Perfect 6
Stem
Hiphil 12 Qal 10 Piel 5 Niphal 3 Hithpael 3
Mood
Imperative 9 Indicative/jussive 6 Indicative 6 Jussive 5

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)

Sources