נְפַל (ne.phal)
ne.phal
to fall
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb naphal carries the straightforward meaning of falling or dropping down. In the Old Testament, it describes physical descent, whether a person collapsing in exhaustion, an object dropping from height, or a structure giving way under pressure. The word captures the suddenness and inevitability of gravity’s pull.
While its primary sense is literal, the context often determines the nature of the fall. In books like Daniel and Ezra, it appears in narratives where characters or structures literally collapse, such as walls toppling or people prostrating themselves in awe or fear. The sources note that this usage emphasizes a loss of stability or position, marking a clear shift from standing to being on the ground.
Translators typically render naphal as "fall" or "fall down," preserving its simple, visual impact. Unlike more abstract terms for moral failure, this word remains grounded in physical reality. Its frequent appearance in historical accounts underscores how ancient writers used concrete imagery to describe both mundane events and moments of divine intervention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word naphal describes the physical act of falling down. In the Old Testament, it captures moments where people collapse from exhaustion, structures crumble under pressure, or individuals prostrate themselves in awe before God or a powerful king. It is a grounded, concrete term that speaks to the loss of stability and the sudden shift from standing to being on the ground.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that true worship often involves a physical surrender. When Daniel’s enemies were thrown into the furnace, they fell down in obedience, not fear. When Nebuchadnezzar saw God’s power, he fell on his face in reverence. These moments show that falling can be an act of humility and trust, acknowledging that we are not in control.
There is comfort in knowing that even when our footing feels shaky, we can choose to fall down in worship rather than despair. This simple action invites God into our instability. It is a reminder that surrendering our pride and strength to Him is not a defeat, but a way to find peace in the midst of chaos.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will fall down3×
- you will fall down2×
- they fell1×
- it will fall1×
- he fell1×
- and/ they fell1×
- [were] falling down1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִפֵּ֖ל2×
- תִּפְּל֤וּן1×
- תִּפְּל֣וּן1×
- נָֽפְלִ֨ין1×
- נְפַ֣ל1×
- נְפַ֛לוּ1×
- יִפֶּל\־1×
- יִפֵּ֥ל1×
- וּ/נְפַ֥לָה1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:46
Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an offering and sweet odors to him.
This verse shows naphal used for Nebuchadnezzar falling on his face in immediate reverence after witnessing God's revelation through Daniel.
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Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
Here the word describes the collective action of all peoples and languages falling down to worship the golden image, highlighting the pressure to conform.
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Daniel 3:23
These three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fall down bound into the furnace, demonstrating that naphal can signify steadfast obedience even in the face of death.