טָרַף

ṭâraph /taw-raf'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
KJV usagecatch, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, tear (in pieces).
Idioms & phrasesidiom without doubt · idiom surely
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ṭâraph, represented by H2963, is a primitive root meaning to pluck off or pull to pieces. It appears 25 times across 22 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning is most often associated with the violent action of a predator, but it also extends to describe divine judgment, human cruelty, and, in a causative sense, the act of providing food.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical contexts, H2963 is powerfully illustrative. It is frequently used to describe the actions of predators, as when Benjamin is prophesied to "ravin as a wolf" Genesis 49:27 or when a young lion "teareth in pieces" its prey Micah 5:8. The word also portrays divine judgment, with God himself stating, "I, even I, will tear and go away" Hosea 5:14. God warns the forgetful that he will "tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver" Psalms 50:22. Idiomatically, it conveys absolute certainty, as when Jacob, seeing the bloody coat, concludes Joseph is "without doubt rent in pieces" Genesis 37:33. In a unique contrast, the word is used to request gentle provision in the prayer, "feed me with food convenient for me" Proverbs 30:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help to frame the concept of tearing and its results:

  • H2964 ṭereph (prey, food): This noun, derived from H2963, refers to that which is torn. It is used to describe the "prey" that lions and corrupt princes hunt (Ezekiel 19:3, Ezekiel 22:27).
  • H2966 ṭᵉrêphâh (that which was torn): This term specifically denotes an animal killed by a predator. It is used in legal contexts regarding restitution for livestock Exodus 22:13 and as food for a lion's den Nahum 2:12.
  • H6561 pâraq (to rend in pieces, tear in pieces): This verb often appears in parallel with H2963, reinforcing the idea of a violent tearing action. The Psalmist prays to be saved from an enemy, "Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces" Psalms 7:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2963 is significant, highlighting themes of judgment, sin, and divine power.

  • Divine Judgment: The act of "tearing" serves as a stark metaphor for God's wrath against sin and rebellion. God is depicted as a lion who will "tear" his people for their unfaithfulness Hosea 5:14, and a nation's anger can "tear perpetually" as a form of judgment Amos 1:11.
  • Predatory Nature of Sin: The word is used to condemn human leaders who exploit the vulnerable. Ezekiel's princes are "like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain" Ezekiel 22:27.
  • God as Both Destroyer and Provider: The use of H2963 demonstrates a profound duality. The same root that describes God's capacity for fierce judgment is also used to petition Him for daily sustenance, as seen in the request to be "fed" Proverbs 30:8.

Summary

In summary, H2963 is a dynamic verb that primarily conveys violent destruction. It is the action of a lion, a symbol of divine judgment against unrepentant people, and a descriptor for the rapacious greed of corrupt leaders. Yet, its causative use for providing food reveals a deeper truth: the same power that can tear down can also build up and sustain, making ṭâraph a powerful illustration of both the severity and the providence of God.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 25 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 4×
  • Qal Infinitive Absolute 3×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 3×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Pual Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Participle Plural Masculine Construct 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 22 verses across 12 books. Most frequent in Psalms (4 verses).

3
Genesis
1
Exodus
1
Deuteronomy
2
Job
4
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Jeremiah
4
Ezekiel
2
Hosea
1
Amos
1
Micah
1
Nahum

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