Strong's Lexicon araph: To break the neck, to decapitate Original Word: ערף Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent in the Strong's Concordance that matches the specific action of "araph," as the concept is more culturally and contextually tied to Hebrew practices. Usage: The Hebrew verb "araph" primarily means to break the neck or to decapitate. It is used in contexts that involve the execution of judgment or the carrying out of a specific ritual. The term conveys a sense of finality and decisive action, often associated with the removal of life or the ending of a particular situation. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, the act of breaking the neck was sometimes part of ritualistic practices, particularly in the context of atonement or judgment. For example, the breaking of a heifer's neck was a prescribed ritual in Deuteronomy 21:1-9 to atone for unsolved murders, symbolizing the community's desire to remove guilt and seek divine justice. This practice reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern context where physical acts often symbolized spiritual realities. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from oreph Definition to break the neck NASB Translation break its neck (2), break the neck (1), break down (1), breaks a neck (1), neck was broken (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָרַף] verb denominative break the neck of an animal; — Qal Perfect2masculine singular suffix וַעֲרַפְתּוֺ consecutive Exodus 13:13; Exodus 34:20 (JE), 3 plural וְעָֽרְפוּשָֿׁם אֶתהָֿעֶגְלָה consecutive Deuteronomy 21:4; Participle active עוֺרֵף כֶּלֶב Isaiah 66:3; passive הָעֶגְלָה הָעֲרוּפָה Deuteronomy 21:6; Imperfect3masculine singular יַעֲרֹף Hosea 10:2 figurative of breaking down altars. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance that is beheaded, break down, break cut off, strike off neck A primitive root (identical with araph through the idea of sloping); properly, to bend downward; but used only as a denominative from oreph, to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy -- that is beheaded, break down, break (cut off, strike off) neck. see HEBREW araph see HEBREW oreph Forms and Transliterations הָעֲרוּפָ֥ה הערופה וְעָֽרְפוּ־ וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ וערפו־ וערפתו יַעֲרֹ֣ף יערף עֹ֣רֵֽף ערף ‘ō·rêp̄ ‘ōrêp̄ hā‘ărūp̄āh hā·‘ă·rū·p̄āh haaruFah Oref vaarafTo vearefu wa‘ărap̄tōw wa·‘ă·rap̄·tōw wə‘ārəp̄ū- wə·‘ā·rə·p̄ū- ya‘ărōp̄ ya·‘ă·rōp̄ yaaRofLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 13:13 HEB: לֹ֥א תִפְדֶּ֖ה וַעֲרַפְתּ֑וֹ וְכֹ֨ל בְּכ֥וֹר NAS: you do not redeem [it], then you shall break its neck; and every KJV: and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn INT: not redeem shall break and every firstborn Exodus 34:20 Deuteronomy 21:4 Deuteronomy 21:6 Isaiah 66:3 Hosea 10:2 6 Occurrences |