רִיפָה
(only plural), grits (as pounded)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רִיפָה (rîyphâh) refers to coarsely ground or pounded grain, specifically grits or coarse meal. It appears only in the plural form, indicating a substance consisting of many particles. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes grain that has been processed by pounding rather than fine grinding, resulting in a texture suitable for certain preparations. The word captures a specific stage in ancient food preparation, distinct from finely milled flour.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in contexts involving food. In 2 Samuel 17:19, a woman hides David's spies and covers them with רִיפָה (grits) spread over a well, using it as a clever concealment. In Proverbs 27:22, the word appears in a proverb: 'Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain (רִיפָה), yet his folly will not depart from him.' Here, it serves as a metaphor in a wisdom saying, illustrating the persistence of foolishness.
Etymology
The noun רִיפָה derives from the root רוּף (rûph, H7322), which carries the basic meaning 'to crush' or 'to pound.' This root connection clearly informs the word's meaning, as רִיפָה is the product of such crushing action. The alternate form רִפָה (riphâh) is also attested. The etymology directly links to the physical process of food preparation in the ancient world.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, grinding grain was a daily, labor-intensive task typically performed by women. רִיפָה represents an intermediate product—grain pounded in a mortar and pestle or coarsely ground, as opposed to the finely sifted flour used for bread. The use of grits to conceal the well in 2 Samuel 17:19 highlights its common, granular nature, which would blend naturally with the ground. The proverb in Proverbs 27:22 draws on this familiar domestic image to make a profound point about human nature.
קֶמַח (qemach, H7058) — fine flour, the end product of grinding. סֹלֶת (solet, H5560) — fine, high-quality flour, often for offerings. גֶּרֶשׂ (geres, H1643) — crushed grain or groats, similar to grits but possibly from a different root.
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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