מִרְפָּשׂ
𐤌𐤓𐤐𐤔
mirpâs
H4833 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Sediment or mud formed by the trampling of feet in water, especially in reference to the turbid or fouled water left behind after being disturbed. The term specifically indicates the layer of mud or mire created in shallow waters or on a threshing floor, often highlighting the resulting impurity or uncleanliness of the water for subsequent users.
Semantic Range
mud formed by trampling in water, sediment fouled by treading, muddy residue, fouled water
Root / Etymology
From the root רפׂש (r-p-ṣ), meaning 'to trample,' which refers to the action of treading upon or stirring up loose material, especially mud or mire. The derived noun מִרְפָּשׂ (mirpâs) denotes the result of this trampling—namely, disturbed, muddy sediment. The root itself is uncommon in the Hebrew Bible and mainly manifests in this nominal form.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Occurs exclusively in Ezekiel 34:18-19, used in the context of sheep or livestock muddying the water and pastures through trampling. This term highlights a degraded condition of water or pasture resulting from overuse, specifically by animals. The imagery of mirpâs reflects social and communal concerns regarding resource use and pollution during the exilic period, with implications for leadership and moral conduct. English translations (e.g., 'foul,' 'muddied,' 'trampled sludge') often convey the basic sense but may not fully reflect the connection to communal irresponsibility in the text's context. The meaning remains fairly stable over time but is exceptionally rare, with no significant evolution or wider usage in the biblical corpus. Distinct from טִיט (ṭît, 'clay,' 'mud'), which is more generic, mirpâs is uniquely associated with trampling in water contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָפַשׂ; muddled water; that which...have fouled.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רפש (r-p-ṣ) — to trample, to tread underfoot, to stir up mud
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7515 | רָפַשׂ | being muddied |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4833-01 |
וּ/מִרְפַּ֥שׂ | umirepas | HC/Ncmsc |
and-muddling | and trampled mire of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4833-01 |
Ezekiel 34:19 | וּ/מִרְפַּ֥שׂ | umirepas | HC/Ncmsc |
and-muddling | and trampled mire of |