רִפְיוֹן
𐤓𐤐𐤉𐤅𐤍
riphyôwn
H7510 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of physical, mental, or moral slackness; lack of strength, vigor, or determination. Riphyon denotes weakness, feebleness, or faintness, whether literal or figurative. In some contexts, it may also describe a lack of resolve or diminished enthusiasm.
Semantic Range
physical feebleness, lack of strength, faintness, slackness (literal or mental), laxity, disheartenment, lack of resolve or determination
Root / Etymology
From the root רפה (raphah), meaning 'to loosen, become slack, relax, weaken.' Riphyon is a nominal formation, denoting the state or quality of being slack or weak. The root encourages a focus on the absence or diminution of strength or firmness, whether physically or by extension in other qualities.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רִפְיוֹן is a rare noun in the Hebrew Bible, primarily found in later biblical or post-biblical Hebrew. Its semantic range is not limited to physical weakness but also extends to general conditions of laxity, such as moral or emotional faintheartedness. In post-biblical Hebrew and later rabbinic texts, the word is used to denote a lack of diligence or resolve, especially in the context of study or spiritual matters. In biblical texts, related terms from the same root (like רָפָה, raphah) describe slackness, looseness, or becoming disheartened. English translations typically render the word as 'slackness,' 'weakness,' or 'feebleness,' but these may not capture the potentially broader application to moral or spiritual qualities in some contexts. Related terms include עָצְלָה (atslah, 'laziness') and חֱרִי (cheri, 'ardor,' as its antonym). Its appearance may increase in post-exilic and later Hebrew, where abstract nouns describing qualities become more common.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָפָה; slackness; feebleness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רפה (r-p-h) — to loosen, relax, become slack, weaken
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7496 | רָפָא | the weakened shades |
| H7503 | רָפָה | I will loosen her |
| H7504 | רָפֶה | slack |
| H7517 | רֶפֶת | livestock stalls |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7510-01 |
מֵֽ/רִפְי֖וֹן | merifeyon | HR/Ncmsc |
from limpness | from slackness of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7510-01 |
Jeremiah 47:3 | מֵֽ/רִפְי֖וֹן | merifeyon | HR/Ncmsc |
from limpness | from slackness of |