English · KJV
H6075

עָפַל

ʻâphal /aw-fal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto swell; figuratively, be elated
KJV usagebe lifted up, presume.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâphal — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâphal, represented by H6075, is a primitive root meaning to swell, be elated, or to be lifted up. Figuratively, it conveys the idea of presumption. Though it appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, its usage provides a sharp warning against pride and disobedience.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two occurrences of H6075 illustrate both an internal attitude and an external action. In Numbers, the Israelites presumed to go up to the hill top against the will of God, acting without the presence of the ark of the covenant of the LORD or Moses Numbers 14:44. In Habakkuk, the word describes an internal state, contrasting the person whose soul is lifted up and therefore not upright, with the just person who lives by faith Habakkuk 2:4. In both cases, the word signifies a dangerous self-elevation that stands in opposition to divine guidance and righteousness.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context of presumption and being "lifted up":

  • H5927 ʻâlâh (to ascend, go up): This word describes the physical action that resulted from the Israelites' presumption, as they attempted to go up to the hill top on their own terms Numbers 14:44.
  • H3474 yâshar (to be straight or even): This term is used as a direct contrast to being "lifted up." A soul that is lifted up H6075 is explicitly described as "not upright" in him Habakkuk 2:4, highlighting the opposition between pride and righteousness.
  • H5315 nephesh (soul): This word identifies the part of a person that is lifted up. It is the soul that becomes prideful and is not upright, indicating that presumption is an issue of one's inner being and vitality Habakkuk 2:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6075 is significant despite its rare use, as it highlights a fundamental spiritual conflict.

  • Presumption as Disobedience: In Numbers 14:44, the people's presumption is a direct act of rebellion. They proceed without the ark H727 or Moses H4872, symbols of God's presence and authority, demonstrating that acting on one's own inflated sense of ability leads to failure.
  • Pride vs. Righteousness: Habakkuk 2:4 establishes a core theological dichotomy. A soul that is "lifted up" is inherently "not upright" H3474. This links pride directly to a state of unrighteousness before God.
  • The Antithesis of Faith: The same verse immediately presents the alternative to a lifted-up soul: "the just H6662 shall live H2421 by his faith H530." This frames presumption not just as a character flaw but as the direct opposite of the faith required for life.

Summary

In summary, H6075 is a powerful term that encapsulates the sin of arrogant self-elevation. It defines both the internal state of a soul "lifted up" with pride and the external action of "presuming" to act outside of God's will. Its placement in scripture contrasts this attitude with the foundational virtues of being upright and living by faith, serving as a concise warning against the dangers of pride.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יַּעְפִּלוּ
  • עֻפְּלָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H5927 עָלָה a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary an H3474 יָשַׁר a primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous; direct H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H727 אָרוֹן or אָרֹן; from אָרָה (in the sense of gathering); a box; ark, chest, coffin. H4872 מֹשֶׁה from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses. H6662 צַדִּיק from צָדַק; just; just, lawful, righteous (man).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Numbers and Habakkuk (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Numbers
1
Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.