What does רָחַף mean in the Bible?
רָחַף is a Hebrew word meaning "to brood ; by implication, to be relaxed".
Hebrew · H7363
רָחַף
To brood ; by implication, to be relaxed
Reading a lexicon entry
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רָחַףH7363
What does רָחַף mean in the Bible?
רָחַף is a Hebrew word meaning "to brood ; by implication, to be relaxed".
Full entry for רָחַף (H7363) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H7363?
The BSB source-word alignment has 3 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and hovers (1), tremble (1), was hovering (1).
Where does רָחַף appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 1:2. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (1), Genesis (1), Jeremiah (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand hovers1×Deuteronomy 32:11
tremble1×Jeremiah 23:9
was hovering1×Genesis 1:2
Show sample aligned rows
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 1:2
Aligned rows3
Books represented3
Genesis1Deuteronomy1Jeremiah1
Source forms
יְרַחֵ֑ף1xyə·ra·ḥêp̄Deuteronomy 32:11
מְרַחֶ֖פֶת1xmə·ra·ḥe·p̄eṯGenesis 1:2
רָֽחֲפוּ֙1xrā·ḥă·p̄ūJeremiah 23:9
Parsing patterns
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xDeuteronomy 32:11
Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular1xGenesis 1:2
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural1xJeremiah 23:9
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. to brood ; by implication, to be relaxed
Source Gloss
to brood ; by implication, to be relaxed
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
to brood; by implication, to be relaxed BDB: grow soft Usage: flutter, move, shake.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms3
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action2×
ImperfectDeut 32:111×
Participle activeGen 1:21×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
PerfectJer 23:91×
Word Origins
רָחַף is a primitive root - no further derivation.