אֶ֫פֶס (e.phes)
e.phes
end; soles
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 38 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ephes primarily denotes an end, finality, or ceasing. It marks the boundary where something stops existing or concludes. In many contexts, it expresses absolute non-existence, emphasizing that a thing is completely gone or has reached its limit. This usage appears frequently in wisdom literature and prophetic texts to describe the termination of life, hope, or existence itself.
A secondary meaning focuses on physical extremities. Specifically, in the dual form, ephes refers to the two soles of the feet or the ankles. This concrete image grounds the abstract concept of an "end" in the body's furthest points. Translators often render this as "soles" when referring to walking or standing, providing a vivid picture of where one stands at the very limit of their footing.
The word’s force lies in its stark finality. Whether describing the end of days or the soles touching the ground, ephes points to a definitive boundary. It does not suggest a pause but a conclusion. This duality allows Scripture to move seamlessly from theological statements about mortality to precise physical descriptions, using the same term for both the limit of existence and the limit of the foot.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ephes carries a weight of finality, marking the boundary where something ceases to exist or reaches its absolute limit. In wisdom literature, it often describes the termination of hope or life itself, reminding us that every season has an end. This stark reality invites reflection on what truly lasts beyond our earthly limits.
Yet ephes also appears in concrete images, such as the soles of feet touching the ground. This physical usage grounds the abstract concept of an 'end' in our daily walk. It suggests that while we stand at the edge of our own strength, we are held by a power that extends to the ends of the earth.
When we feel our resources running out or our hope fading, this word points to a definitive conclusion rather than a pause. It reminds us that God’s sovereignty covers every boundary, from the smallest step to the farthest horizon. We can rest in the knowledge that He is present at every limit we face.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 38 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] ends of9×
- nevertheless5×
- and/ there not4×
- and/ only/ I3×
- with/ not2×
- there not2×
- nothing2×
- ¿/ [is] there not1×
- only1×
- not1×
- no1×
- from/ nothingness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַפְסֵי\־9×
- אֶ֚פֶס3×
- אֶ֖פֶס3×
- וּ/בְ/אֶ֥פֶס2×
- וְ/אַפְסִ֣/י2×
- בְּ/אֶ֣פֶס2×
- אֶ֗פֶס2×
- מֵֽ/אַפְסֵי\־1×
- מֵ/אֶ֥פֶס1×
- וּ/כְ/אֶ֖פֶס1×
- וְ/אַפְסִ֥/י1×
- וְ/אֶ֥פֶס1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 32:36
For Yahweh will judge his people, and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.
This verse uses ephes to describe the complete exhaustion of human strength, highlighting God's compassion when people are left with no power of their own.
-
I Samuel 2:10
Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “Yahweh will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
Here ephes refers to the ends of the earth, emphasizing God’s universal judgment and His role as the ultimate authority over all nations.
-
Psalms 72:8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
The phrase 'from sea to sea... to the ends of the earth' uses ephes to depict the expansive, limitless dominion of the righteous king.
-
Job 7:6
My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.
Job describes his days as spent without hope, using ephes to convey the feeling that his life is reaching a hopeless conclusion with no future in sight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ephes mean?
How is ephes different from other words for end?
Where does ephes appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (38 verses across 15 books)
Numbers 3 verses
However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the…
Numbers 22:35Yahweh’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.” So…
Numbers 23:13Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, where you may see them. You shall see just part of them, and…