Bible Word Study
רֻטֲפַשׁ
ruṭăphash · to be rejuvenated
רֻטֲפַשׁ
to be rejuvenated
Definition
The verb רֻטֲפַשׁ (ruṭăphash) means to be rejuvenated, restored, or made fresh. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 33:25, it describes the physical restoration of a person's flesh to a youthful, healthy state, like that of a child. This restoration is presented as a miraculous act of divine healing, reversing the effects of illness and decay. The word conveys a complete renewal of vitality and physical well-being.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Job 33:25. It appears in Elihu's speech, where he describes God's potential mercy in healing a person who is being disciplined. The context is one of physical restoration from a life-threatening illness, resulting in a return to youthful vigor. The usage is poetic and depicts a dramatic, supernatural renewal.
Etymology
The word is a rare, possibly denominative or compound form. Scholars often connect it to the roots רָטֹב (rāṭōḇ, H7373), meaning 'to be moist or fresh,' and טָפַשׁ (ṭāphash, H2954), meaning 'to be thick or fat.' Thus, the combined sense is 'to become fresh and plump' or 'to be rejuvenated.' This etymology directly supports its meaning of physical restoration to a state of health and vitality.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it vividly portrays God's power to completely reverse physical suffering and restore life. In Job 33:25, it is part of a description of divine redemption that includes ransom and reconciliation, highlighting that God's restorative work can be holistic—encompassing spiritual, relational, and physical health. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by emphasizing the concrete, bodily reality of the healing God promises, which prefigures themes of resurrection and new creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, health and vitality were visibly associated with plumpness and moist, supple flesh, as opposed to the dryness and wasting of disease or old age. The imagery of restoration to the 'flesh of a youth' would have been a powerful, tangible picture of a return to full strength and societal participation, representing the ultimate blessing of well-being. חָיָה (ḥāyâ, H2421) — to live or revive; a broader term for restoration of life. רָפָא (rāp̄āʾ, H7495) — to heal; focuses on the curing of disease or wounds. שָׁבַת (shāḇat, H7725) — to cease/rest; implies restoration through rest, not physical renewal.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]