What does רָפָה · עָזַב mean in the Bible?
רָפָה · עָזַב is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to let drop, slacken, abandon / to leave, forsake".
Hebrew · H7503, H5800
רָפָה / עָזַב
To slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) · to loosen , i.e. relinquish , permit , etc.
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.
Where it appears: 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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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
רָפָהH7503to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
Pronunciationrāpāh
Progressive loss of strength or tension; weakening resolve, physical vigor, or commitment across literal and moral domains.
Open lexicon entry →עָזַבH5800to loosen , i.e. relinquish , permit , etc.
Pronunciation‘ăzāḇtānî
To abandon or forsake by releasing grip; carries covenantal weight when God or humans violate relational commitments.
Open lexicon entry →What does רָפָה / עָזַב (raphah / azav) mean in the Bible?
רָפָה · עָזַב is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to let drop, slacken, abandon / to leave, forsake".
Full entry for רָפָה / עָזַב (H7503, H5800) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H7503, H5800?
H7503, H5800 is connected to 261 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to let drop, slacken, abandon / to leave, forsake
Source Gloss
to let drop, slacken, abandon / to leave, forsake
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 groups5Aligned forms33
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action12×
Sequential imperfect1Chr 21:15 · 1Sam 11:3 · 1Sam 15:16 · 2Kgs 4:27 · 2Sam 24:16 · Deut 9:14 · Judg 11:37 · Ps 37:8 · Ps 46:119×
JussiveJosh 10:6 · Prov 4:13 · Ps 138:83×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
Participle activeExod 5:8 · Exod 5:173×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense10×
ImperfectEzek 7:17 · Isa 13:7 · Isa 5:24 · Neh 6:94×
PerfectJer 49:24 · Judg 8:3 · Jer 6:24 · Judg 19:94×
Jussive2Chr 15:7 · Zeph 3:162×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action5×
ImperfectEzek 1:24 · Ezek 1:252×
Participle activeEzra 4:4 · Jer 38:42×
PerfectJob 12:211×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others3×
Participle activeJosh 18:3 · Prov 18:92×
PerfectProv 24:101×
Word Origins
רָפָה / עָזַב is a primitive root - no further derivation.