רָפַף (ruph)
ruph
to tremble
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb raph (H7322) carries the concrete meaning of shaking or rocking. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 26:11 where it describes the pillars of heaven trembling at God’s rebuke.
Its grammatical form is the Polel, an intensive stem that emphasizes the action. This suggests a vigorous, noticeable movement rather than a slight tremor. The image evokes stability being disturbed by divine power.
This single usage highlights the cosmic scale of Job’s description. The heavens themselves are not static but respond to God’s voice with physical motion. The word underscores the majesty and authority of the Creator over all creation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The image of the heavens trembling is startling. It reminds us that the universe is not a cold, silent machine. When God speaks, creation responds with awe and motion. This single word in Job shows that even the most stable structures shake at His command.
For you, this might bring comfort. If the foundations of your world feel like they are shaking, know that the One who commands the pillars is still on the throne. Your stability does not rest in your own strength but in His unshakable word.
Let this truth anchor your heart. The same power that moves the cosmos cares for you. You do not need to hold everything together yourself. Rest in the One who holds all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they shake1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְרוֹפָ֑פוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 26:11
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his rebuke.
This verse uses the intensive form of the word to show that even the 'pillars of heaven' are not immune to God's authority, highlighting the cosmic scale of His power.