רָפַד (ra.phad)
ra.phad
to spread
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rapad means to spread something out flat or to lay a covering over a surface. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, creating a vivid contrast between two very different scenes. In Job 40:23, it describes how a crocodile spreads its heavy body across muddy riverbanks, leaving deep impressions in the soft earth as it moves.
In Song of Solomon 2:5, the word shifts to a tender image. The speaker asks to be "supported with apples," literally meaning to be refreshed by being laid upon beds of fruit or flowers. Here, the action implies providing comfort and support through a soft, pleasant covering. While the root suggests simply spreading out, the context in Song of Solomon adds a nuance of care and sustenance.
This rare word highlights how physical actions in Scripture often carry emotional weight. The same verb that marks the rough power of a wild animal also describes the gentle comfort found in a beloved’s presence. Translators must choose between "spread" for the brute force in Job and "refreshed" or "supported" for the intimacy in Song of Solomon, capturing both the physical act and its relational effect.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word rapad describes the simple act of spreading something out to create a surface or a resting place. It is a rare verb, appearing only twice in the Old Testament, yet it paints two very different pictures. In Job, it shows a heavy creature settling into the mud, leaving deep marks in the earth. In Song of Solomon, it describes a tender scene where lovers are refreshed by beds of fruit and flowers.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that God cares about the places we rest. Whether you are feeling faint with love or weighed down by sorrow, there is a place prepared for you. The same verb that marks rough power also describes gentle comfort. It suggests that support comes not just from strength, but from being laid upon something soft and sustaining.
When you feel overwhelmed, remember that rest is a gift. You do not have to carry everything alone. God provides spaces where your soul can settle, much like the couch in darkness or the bed of apples. These images invite you to find peace in His care, knowing that He spreads out comfort for those who are weary.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- refresh/ me1×
- I have spread out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רַפְּד֖וּ/נִי1×
- רִפַּ֥דְתִּי1×
Key Verses
-
Job 17:13
If I look for Sheol as my house, if I have spread my couch in the darkness,
This verse uses the word to describe Job's deep despair, picturing his couch spread in darkness as he faces death.
-
Song of Solomon 2:5
Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love.
Here the verb shifts to intimacy, describing how the speaker is refreshed by being supported on beds of fruit.