רְפָאִ֣ים
𐤓𐤐𐤀𐤉𐤌
râphâʼ
the dead
A shade, spirit, or apparition of the dead; used exclusively in the plural to designate the departed spirits inhabiting the underworld (Sheol) in ancient Israelite belief. The term refers to inhabitants of Sheol as insubstantial and powerless beings, distinct from the living. It is not a synonym for 'corpse' but indicates the continued, though diminished, existence of those who have died.
Proverbs 9:18 · Word #4
Lexicon H7496
| Lemma | רָפָא |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤓𐤐𐤀 |
| Transliteration | râphâʼ |
| Strong's | H7496 |
| Definition | A shade, spirit, or apparition of the dead; used exclusively in the plural to designate the departed spirits inhabiting the underworld (Sheol) in ancient Israelite belief. The term refers to inhabitants of Sheol as insubstantial and powerless beings, distinct from the living. It is not a synonym for 'corpse' but indicates the continued, though diminished, existence of those who have died. |
Morphology HNcmpa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | m — Masculine — Masculine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | the dead |
SIBI-P1 Translation H7496-02
Rephaim giants
| Morphological Notes | Masculine plural noun (gentilic), absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The form רְפָאִים is a masculine plural gentilic noun referring to members of the ancient people group known as the Rephaim, often characterized as giants. "Rephaim giants" preserves both the proper ethnonym and the plural masculine morphology. |
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