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.
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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
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.
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עָזַב H5800 to 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.
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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 groups 5 Aligned forms 33
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 9×
Jussive Josh 10:6 · Prov 4:13 · Ps 138:8 3×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 3×
Participle active Exod 5:8 · Exod 5:17 3×
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 4×
Perfect Jer 49:24 · Judg 8:3 · Jer 6:24 · Judg 19:9 4×
Jussive 2Chr 15:7 · Zeph 3:16 2×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 5×
Imperfect Ezek 1:24 · Ezek 1:25 2×
Participle active Ezra 4:4 · Jer 38:4 2×
Perfect Job 12:21 1×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 3×
Participle active Josh 18:3 · Prov 18:9 2×
Perfect Prov 24:10 1×
Word Origins
רָפָה / עָזַב is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain