רִפְאוּת (riph.ut)
riph.ut
healing
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun riphut means healing, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Proverbs 3:8. In this context, it describes the benefit that comes from fearing the Lord and keeping His commands. The verse suggests that this reverence brings physical well-being to one’s body, alongside spiritual wisdom to one’s mind.
Its occurrence here is figurative rather than literal. While the word shares a root with verbs for mending or restoring, Proverbs uses it metaphorically to show how moral integrity supports overall health. Translators typically render it as "healing" or "health," reflecting the ancient view that wisdom and physical vitality are closely connected.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word riphut appears only once in the Old Testament, nestled within Proverbs 3:8. Here it describes the wholesome benefit that flows from fearing the Lord. It is not merely a medical term for curing disease, but a broader sense of well-being and soundness. The text links this physical vitality directly to spiritual wisdom, suggesting that a life aligned with God’s ways brings deep nourishment to the bones.
This connection between moral integrity and physical health offers a comforting perspective on daily living. When we prioritize reverence for God, we are not just managing our souls; we are inviting wholeness into our bodies. It reminds us that faith is not detached from our physical existence but deeply intertwined with it. This ancient wisdom encourages us to see our spiritual disciplines as sources of genuine life and strength.
May this understanding bring peace to your heart as you seek to honor God in all areas of life. Let the promise of nourishment for your bones be a source of hope, reminding you that walking closely with the Lord supports your entire being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- healing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִ֭פְאוּת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 3:8
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
This verse uniquely connects fearing the Lord with physical well-being, using riphut to describe healing as a natural outcome of spiritual wisdom.