נָפַח
to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow hard, scatter, kindle, expire; figuratively, to disesteem)
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָפַח (nâphach) primarily means 'to blow' or 'to puff,' describing the action of expelling air from the mouth or nostrils. In its literal sense, it can refer to God breathing life into Adam (Genesis 2:7), a craftsman blowing on a fire to kindle it (Isaiah 54:16), or a destructive wind scattering something (Jeremiah 15:9). Figuratively, it extends to the idea of 'giving up' or 'expiring,' as in losing life (Job 31:39), and even to 'disesteem' or scorn, where one 'puffs' at something in contempt.
Biblical Usage
נָפַח is used 12 times across various contexts. It appears in narratives of creation (Genesis 2:7), prophetic visions of judgment (Jeremiah 1:13; Ezekiel 22:20), and poetic descriptions in Job (Job 20:26; 31:39; 41:20). The usage patterns show it applied to divine action (God breathing life), human craftsmanship (blacksmiths' bellows), natural forces (wind), and metaphorical expiration or scorn. Most occurrences are in poetic or prophetic books, emphasizing vivid imagery.
Etymology
נָפַח is a primitive root in Hebrew. It is related to the basic concept of blowing air, seen in cognate words in other Semitic languages. The root conveys a forceful expulsion of breath, which developed into its range of meanings from literal inflation or kindling to figurative expiration and contempt.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it describes God's intimate act of breathing life into humanity in Genesis 2:7, connecting human life directly to divine breath (רוּחַ, rûach). It also appears in contexts of God's sovereign control over both creation and judgment, such as kindling the fires of destruction (Isaiah 54:16) or depicting the scorn of the wicked. Understanding נָפַח enriches reading by highlighting the power and intimacy of God's breath in giving and taking life.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, blowing or puffing was a direct, physical action with clear symbolic weight. The act of a blacksmith blowing on coals (Isaiah 54:16) would be a familiar image of controlled, purposeful effort to intensify fire. The concept of 'blowing' scorn reflects a gesture of contempt, likely involving an audible puff of breath to dismiss something. This tangible imagery made the word's metaphorical extensions easily understood.
נָשַׁף (nâshaph, H5398) — a less common synonym for 'to blow,' often of a gentler or cooler wind. פּוּחַ (pûach, H6315) — another verb for 'to blow,' sometimes used for blowing a trumpet or breathing hard. יָפַח (yâphach, H3307) — to breathe or puff, often in the sense of panting or being out of breath.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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