ῥάπισμα
rhápisma
G4475 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A blow, specifically a slap or strike delivered with the palm of the hand; in some contexts, any act of striking with an open hand, often used for humiliation or punishment. Semantic range can include both literal and figurative slapping or insulting blows.
Semantic Range
slap with the palm of the hand, striking with the open hand, blow as a gesture of insult or humiliation, physical act of slapping, figurative insult
Root / Etymology
From the verb ῥαπίζω, which means 'to slap, strike (especially with an open hand)'; the noun form denotes the act or result of such a blow. Ultimately related to ῥάβδος ('rod'), possibly by association with striking, though direct derivation is through the verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ῥάπισμα is a relatively rare noun in classical Greek, with more frequent attestation in later (Hellenistic and early Roman imperial) texts. In Second Temple and New Testament sources, it carries a sense of an insulting or humiliating blow, especially as part of judicial punishment or contemptuous treatment. In the NT (e.g., Mark 14:65; John 18:22), it is associated with the striking of Jesus during interrogations and is distinguished from beating with fists or rods (contrast with πληγή or τύπος). English translations often render it as 'slap' or 'blow with the hand,' but the connotation of public disgrace or shaming is not always clear in translation. The act of slapping, especially on the face, in the ancient Mediterranean world was understood as an insult as much as a physical assault.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ῥαπίζω; a slap:--(+ strike with the) palm of the hand, smite with the hand.
Root Family
ῥάπισμα (rhapisma) — slap, striking with the open hand, insulting blow
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4475-02 |
ῥαπίσμασιν | rapismasin | N DAT N PL |
with slaps | with open-hand slaps | 1 |
G4475-01 |
ῥάπισμα | rapisma | N ACC N SG |
a slap | a slap | 1 |
G4475-03 |
ῥαπίσματα | rapismata | N ACC N PL |
slaps | open-hand slaps | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4475-02 |
Mark 14:65 | ῥαπίσμασιν | rapismasin | N DAT N PL |
with slaps | with open-hand slaps |
G4475-01 |
John 18:22 | ῥάπισμα | rapisma | N ACC N SG |
a slap | a slap |
G4475-03 |
John 19:3 | ῥαπίσματα | rapismata | N ACC N PL |
slaps | open-hand slaps |