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נָפַשׁ

𐤍𐤐𐤔

nâphash

H5314 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To breathe, to draw breath, or to recover one's breath, particularly after exertion; by extension, to be refreshed, restored, or revived (physically or psychologically). The word carries connotations of respite from toil, renewal of strength, and reanimation, either literally (by breathing) or figuratively (by restoring vitality or spirit).

Semantic Range

to breathe, draw breath, recover breath after exertion, be refreshed, be revived (physically or spiritually), regain one's strength

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root נפש (nun-pe-shin), which fundamentally relates to breath, respiration, and life force. While the root is primarily associated with the noun נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, 'soul,' 'life,' 'self'), as a verb it denotes the action of breathing or being revived, tying physical respiration to the experience of renewed strength.

Historical & Contextual Notes

נָפַשׁ appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, notably in connection with rest from labor (e.g., Exodus 23:12, meaning 'be refreshed,' referring to servants and animals resting from work on the sabbath). The verb shares a semantic field with נוּחַ (nuach, 'to rest') and שָׁבַת (shavat, 'to cease, rest'), but נָפַשׁ specifically conveys the idea of recovering one's breath or being re-energized. The nuance is not simply idleness, but active renewal after used strength. The noun נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh) later develops broader associations with personhood and 'soul,' but the verbal root remains grounded in the experience of breathing and refreshment. English translations such as 'be refreshed' capture part of the meaning, but the physiological image of catching one’s breath after work and, by extension, being restored, often gets lost. In later texts and post-biblical literature, the word's usage wanes, as other terms for 'revive,' 'restore,' and 'refresh' come into prominence.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon , i.e. (figuratively) refreshed (as if by a current of air); (be) refresh selves (-ed).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נפש (n-p-sh) — breath, life-breath, revival, restoration

Root נפש to breathe, to draw breath, to revive
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5315 נֶפֶשׁ for our living selves

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H5314-01 וַ/יִּנָּפַֽשׁ vayinafash HC/VNw3ms and was refreshed and he was revived and it was revived 1
H5314-02 וַ/יִּנָּפֵ֖שׁ vayinafesh HC/VNw3ms and he refreshed and he was refreshed and it was refreshed 1
H5314-03 וְ/יִנָּפֵ֥שׁ veyinafesh HC/VNi3ms may-be-refreshed and he will be refreshed and he may be refreshed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H5314-03 Exodus 23:12 וְ/יִנָּפֵ֥שׁ veyinafesh HC/VNi3ms may-be-refreshed and he will be refreshed and he may be refreshed
H5314-01 Exodus 31:17 וַ/יִּנָּפַֽשׁ vayinafash HC/VNw3ms and was refreshed and he was revived and it was revived
H5314-02 2 Samuel 16:14 וַ/יִּנָּפֵ֖שׁ vayinafesh HC/VNw3ms and he refreshed and he was refreshed and it was refreshed
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