רָעַף
𐤓𐤏𐤐
râʻaph
H7491 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To drip or drop in small amounts, especially of liquids or moisture; to flow gently or distil. Used both literally (of rain, dew, or speech described metaphorically as moisture) and, by extension, to indicate gentle emission or scattering of small portions.
Semantic Range
to drip (of rain or dew), to distil (poetically, of speech), to drop gently, to emit small amounts
Root / Etymology
The verb רָעַף (râʻaph) derives from the root רעף, which expresses the notion of dripping or trickling. The root indicates movement of liquid in small, intermittent amounts, emphasizing the gentle or gradual nature of the action. There are no clear cognates in other Semitic languages, and the etymology is limited to its internal Hebrew usage.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, רָעַף is used primarily to describe the natural process of rain, dew, or moisture gently falling or distilling. Most notably, it is metaphorically applied to speech or teaching in Deuteronomy 32:2, where Moses compares his words to the gentle and beneficial effect of rain or dew on vegetation. The verb does not describe violent or heavy rainfall but rather emphasizes softness and nurture, in contrast to terms like גָּשַׁם (to rain heavily). In later usage, the word is uncommon and largely poetic. Standard English translations may use 'to distil,' 'to drop,' or 'to drip,' though 'distil' better preserves the sense of gentle beneficence present in the Hebrew context. The term was rarely used for negative or destructive forms of precipitation or outpouring, distinguishing it from other roots for heavy or catastrophic rain.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to drip; distil, drop (down).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רעף (r-ʿ-p̄) — to drip, to drop, to trickle
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7491-02 |
יִ֭רְעֲפוּ | yireafu | HVqi3mp |
distil | they will drip | 3 |
H7491-01 |
הַרְעִ֤יפוּ | hareifu | HVhv2mp |
Drip down | Cause to drip | 1 |
H7491-03 |
יִרְעֲפ֥וּ/ן | yireafun | HVqi3mp/Sn |
drip | they will drip | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7491-01 |
Isaiah 45:8 | הַרְעִ֤יפוּ | hareifu | HVhv2mp |
Drip down | Cause to drip |
H7491-03 |
Psalms 65:12 | יִרְעֲפ֥וּ/ן | yireafun | HVqi3mp/Sn |
drip | they will drip |
H7491-02 |
Psalms 65:13 | יִ֭רְעֲפוּ | yireafu | HVqi3mp |
the hills are girded | they will drip |
H7491-02 |
Proverbs 3:20 | יִרְעֲפוּ | yireafu | HVqi3mp |
drop down | they will drip |
H7491-02 |
Job 36:28 | יִ֝רְעֲפ֗וּ | yireafu | HVqi3mp |
distil | they will drip |