רָפַשׂ (ra.pha.s)
ra.pha.s
to foul
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rāpaś describes the physical act of stamping or treading down something until it is fouled or defiled. Its core meaning involves using one’s feet to crush, trample, or pollute a substance, often turning something clean into something unclean through this rough handling.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Proverbs 30:20. The text uses it to describe how a woman’s mouth can "foul" or defile her husband, comparing her speech to feet stamping on water or mud. The image suggests that just as treading on clear water muddies it, her actions corrupt the purity of their relationship.
The sources note related forms in the Niphal and Hithpael stems, where the meaning shifts to being humbled or defiled by one’s own actions. While rare, this vivid metaphor highlights how speech can physically-like pollute social bonds, turning clarity into confusion and integrity into shame through careless or malicious use.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb rāpaś paints a vivid picture of how our actions can spoil what was once clear and good. It describes the physical act of trampling something until it is fouled, like feet crushing clean water into mud. While this word appears only once in Scripture, its imagery resonates deeply with daily life. It reminds us that carelessness has weight and consequence.
In Proverbs 30:20, this image is used to show how speech can defile relationships. Just as treading on water ruins its clarity, harsh or deceitful words can muddy the purity of a marriage or friendship. This isn't about perfection but about awareness. We are called to guard our words and actions so they don't become sources of pollution in our communities.
Understanding this word invites us to be mindful stewards of our interactions. It encourages a gentle approach to conflict and communication, recognizing that small acts of disregard can have lasting effects. By choosing integrity over carelessness, we help keep the 'wells' of our relationships clear and refreshing for those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fouled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נִ֭רְפָּשׂ1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 25:26
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
This verse uses the same imagery of pollution to illustrate how a righteous person yielding to wickedness becomes like a muddied spring, directly connecting the concept of defilement to moral failure.