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טָרַף

𐤈𐤓𐤐

ṭâraph

H2963 verb

SILEX Entry

Root טרף to tear apart, to rend, to seize violently, to plunder

Definition

To tear apart, rend, or seize violently, especially with reference to the actions of predatory animals upon prey; by extension, to tear in pieces, destroy, or plunder forcibly. Can also be used metaphorically for violent acts, including social injustice or predatory human behavior. In the causative stem, may refer to providing or distributing pieces of meat (as food), aligning with the idea of portions torn from an animal.

Semantic Range

to tear apart (animals), to violently rend or destroy, to plunder or seize (humans), to provide food (torn pieces of meat), to act with predatory violence, to be torn or devoured (metaphorically for destruction or unjust treatment)

Root / Etymology

Root ט-ר-ף (טרף), meaning 'to tear apart, rend, or seize' with core connotations of violent physical action, originally associated with predatory animals tearing prey. The verb is attested in various stems, primarily as a descriptor of animals' predatory actions, later extended metaphorically to human acts of violence and destruction. Nominal forms (e.g., טֶרֶף) refer to 'prey,' 'plunder,' or 'food' taken by force.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, טָרַף is most commonly found describing the predatory act of animals (e.g., lions, wolves), vividly depicting the act of tearing flesh from prey (Genesis 37:33, referencing Joseph's torn garment as evidence of a supposed animal attack). The verb also functions metaphorically, denoting violent or unjust seizure, plunder, or destructive acts by humans, particularly Israelite leaders or foreign oppressors (e.g., Ezekiel 22:25-27). The causative stem (hiphil) can denote supplying torn pieces as food, especially meat, connecting to hospitality or sacrificial contexts (e.g., Genesis 49:27). Later biblical Hebrew and post-biblical sources retain the violent, predatory sense. English translations often render it as 'tear,' 'rend,' or 'devour,' but these may not fully capture the word's nuance of violent, predatory destruction or its metaphorical application to social injustice. Related terms: טֶרֶף (teref, 'prey'), שָׁסָה (shasah, 'to plunder'), חָמָס (ḥamas, 'violence'). Distinct from less violent verbs like קָרַע (qaraʿ, 'to tear' in a generic sense, such as fabric or clothing).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

טרף (ṭ-r-p) — to tear apart, to rend, to seize violently, to plunder

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2964 טֶרֶף for the torn prey
H2965 טָרָף fresh-torn meat
H2966 טְרֵפָה the torn carcass

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2963-08 טֹ֣רֵֽף toref HVqrmsa tearing tearing-one 4
H2963-06 טָרֹ֥ף tarof HVqa torn to tear apart 3
H2963-05 טָרָ֖ף taraf HVqp3ms has torn torn one 2
H2963-12 יִטָּרֵ֖ף yitaref HVNi3ms it is torn he will be torn apart 2
H2963-11 וְ/טָרַ֥ף vetaraf HC/Vqq3ms and tears and he tore apart 2
H2963-01 אֶטְרֹף֙ eterof HVqi1cs I-tear-you I tear apart 2
H2963-07 טֹרַ֖ף toraf HVPp3ms in pieces he was torn apart 2
H2963-03 לִ/טְרָף literaf HR/Vqc to tear to tear apart 2
H2963-02 הַ֝טְרִיפֵ֗/נִי haterifeni HVhv2ms/Sp1cs feed me cause me to tear apart 1
H2963-09 טֹ֣רְפֵי torefey HVqrmpc tearing tearers of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

25 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2963-06 Genesis 37:33 טָרֹ֥ף tarof HVqa torn to pieces to tear apart
H2963-07 Genesis 37:33 טֹרַ֖ף toraf HVPp3ms surely torn to pieces he was torn apart
H2963-06 Genesis 44:28 טָרֹ֣ף tarof HVqa torn to tear apart
H2963-07 Genesis 44:28 טֹרָ֑ף toraf HVQp3ms in pieces he was torn apart
H2963-13 Genesis 49:27 יִטְרָ֔ף yiteraf HVqi3ms tears/rends he will tear apart
H2963-06 Exodus 22:12 טָרֹ֥ף tarof HVqa torn to tear apart
H2963-12 Exodus 22:12 יִטָּרֵ֖ף yitaref HVNi3ms it is torn he will be torn apart
H2963-11 Deuteronomy 33:20 וְ/טָרַ֥ף vetaraf HC/Vqq3ms and tears and he tore apart
H2963-12 Jeremiah 5:6 יִטָּרֵ֑ף yitaref HVNi3ms will be torn in pieces he will be torn apart
H2963-03 Ezekiel 19:3 לִ/טְרָף literaf HR/Vqc to tear to tear apart
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