אָפֵס (a.phes)
a.phes
to end
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb a.phes describes something that ceases, fails, or comes to an end. It is not merely a pause but a finality, marking the point where a process stops or a resource runs out. With only four occurrences in the Old Testament, it carries significant weight in its specific contexts.
In Genesis 41:7, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream of withered grain as a sign that the seven years of famine will “end” or consume what remains. Similarly, in Isaiah 29:10, the word describes how God has poured out a spirit of deep sleep, causing the vision to cease for the people. These instances highlight its use for both natural limits and divine intervention.
The term emphasizes the conclusion of an era or condition rather than gradual decline. It often appears in prophetic literature to signal the end of judgment or the cessation of a specific period of time. Translators typically render it as “end,” “cease,” or “fail,” depending on whether the subject is time, strength, or hope.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When resources run dry or hope seems exhausted, the Hebrew word a.phes marks the finality of that state. It describes a definitive end, whether it is money spent in Egypt or a vision silenced by God. This term reminds us that some seasons have clear boundaries, and when they close, new realities must begin.
In Genesis 47:15, the people face a complete failure of their wealth, leaving them with no choice but to seek Joseph’s provision. This moment highlights human limitation, yet it also opens the door for divine care. We learn that our own strength may cease, but God’s provision does not end there.
Similarly, Isaiah 29:20 speaks of the ruthless being brought to nothing and scoffers ceasing. These endings are not merely losses; they are necessary conclusions to injustice. For those seeking peace, this word offers comfort that wrongs will not last forever. It invites us to trust in God’s timing when our own efforts fall short.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it has come to an end2×
- he will come to an end2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָפֵ֖ס2×
- אָפֵ֥ס1×
- אָפֵ֤ס1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 47:15
When the money was all spent in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph, and said, “Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For our money fails.”
This verse shows the word describing the total exhaustion of financial resources, forcing the Egyptians to seek Joseph's help for survival.
-
Isaiah 29:20
For the ruthless is brought to nothing, and the scoffer ceases, and all those who are alert to do evil are cut off—
Here the term marks the definitive cessation of the scoffer’s influence, signaling the end of a period of mockery and injustice.
-
Isaiah 16:4
Let my outcasts dwell with you! As for Moab, be a hiding place for him from the face of the destroyer. For the extortionist is brought to nothing. Destruction ceases. The oppressors are consumed out of the land.
The word indicates that destruction ceases when God provides a hiding place for the vulnerable from the oppressor.