a primitive root; to trample, i.e. roil water; foul, trouble.
Transliteration:râphas
Pronunciation:raw-fas'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H7515}}` (רָפַשׂ, *râphas*) is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to trample," specifically in a way that "roils water," thereby making it "foul" or "troubled." Its semantic range is narrow but potent, consistently conveying the idea of disturbing a clear or pure substance, typically water, through physical agitation, leading to its defilement or obfuscation. The act implied is forceful and disruptive, transforming something clean and usable into something murky and undesirable. This disturbance is not accidental but results from a deliberate, often destructive, physical interaction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H7515}}` appears only twice in the Masoretic Text, both times within the prophetic book of Ezekiel, and both instances employ vivid imagery centered on the defilement of water:
1. **[[Ezekiel 32:2]]**: "Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him: You were like a young lion among the nations, but you were like a dragon in the seas; you gushed forth in your rivers and *troubled* the waters with your feet and *fouled* their rivers."
Here, Pharaoh is depicted as a monstrous sea-dragon (תַּנִּים, *tannim*) whose very presence and actions "trouble" (תְּרַפֵּשׂ) and "foul" the pure waters of the rivers. This imagery powerfully conveys the destructive and defiling impact of Pharaoh's oppressive rule on the nations, likening his tyrannical actions to a beast churning up and polluting life-giving water. The verb underscores the active, physical nature of his corruption.
2. **[[Ezekiel 34:18-19]]**: "Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must also *trample* the rest of your pasture with your feet? And is it not enough for you to drink the clear water, that you must also *foul* the rest with your feet? As for my flock, they must eat what you have trampled with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet."
In this passage, the prophet condemns the corrupt shepherds of Israel (the leaders) who exploit the flock. They not only consume the best resources ("good pasture," "clear water") but actively "trample" (תְּרַפֵּשׂ) the remaining pasture and "foul" (תְּרַפֵּשׂ) the water, rendering it unusable or undesirable for the weaker sheep. This dual usage emphasizes the deliberate and selfish actions of the powerful, who, through their greed and neglect, actively destroy the common good intended for the vulnerable. The repetition highlights the egregious nature of their transgression.
In both contexts, `{{H7515}}` describes an act of defilement or destruction perpetrated by a powerful entity (Pharaoh, the oppressive shepherds) against a life-sustaining resource (water, pasture), to the detriment of others.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept expressed by `{{H7515}}` resonates with several related Hebrew words and theological concepts:
* **Trampling/Treading:** Other verbs like `{{H7429}}` (רָמַס, *ramas*) and `{{H947}}` (בּוּס, *bus*) also denote trampling, often with connotations of oppression or destruction. While sharing the physical act, `{{H7515}}` specifically adds the nuance of defiling or making something turbid, particularly water.
* **Defilement/Pollution:** Words such as `{{H2930}}` (טָמֵא, *tame'*, to be unclean) or `{{H2610}}` (חָנַף, *chanaph*, to be defiled or polluted) convey the state of ritual or moral impurity. `{{H7515}}` describes the *action* that causes such a state, particularly in a physical, tangible way.
* **Stirring/Agitating Water:** While not a direct synonym, the idea of disturbing water can be found in other contexts, but `{{H7515}}` uniquely emphasizes the negative outcome of defilement rather than mere movement.
* **Oppression and Injustice:** The use of `{{H7515}}` in Ezekiel directly links the physical act of defiling resources to the moral and social sin of oppression. It vividly portrays how the powerful, through their selfish actions, actively diminish the quality of life for the vulnerable.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H7515}}` lies in its powerful imagery of destructive defilement and its application to human leadership and moral conduct.
1. **Condemnation of Oppression:** The consistent use of `{{H7515}}` in Ezekiel underscores God's severe condemnation of leaders who, instead of nurturing and protecting their people, actively exploit and harm them. By "fouling" the very sources of life (water, pasture), they demonstrate a profound disregard for the well-being of the vulnerable, perverting their role as stewards. This highlights a key aspect of biblical justice: the righteous provision and equitable access to resources.
2. **The Nature of Sin as Defilement:** The word portrays sin not merely as a transgression of law, but as an active, corrupting force that spoils and renders unusable what was once pure and life-giving. Just as clear water is essential for life, so too are righteous governance and equitable access to resources. Sin, particularly in its oppressive forms, "fouls" these vital elements, making life difficult or impossible for others.
3. **Divine Judgment:** The contexts in Ezekiel serve as pronouncements of divine judgment against those who engage in such defiling and oppressive acts. Pharaoh's downfall and the condemnation of Israel's shepherds illustrate that God will hold leaders accountable for how they manage the resources and care for the people entrusted to them. Those who "foul" the common good will face divine reckoning.
4. **The Purity of God's Provision:** Implicit in the condemnation of "fouling" is the understanding that God's original provision (clear water, good pasture) is inherently pure and sufficient. The corruption lies not in the provision itself, but in the selfish and destructive actions of humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H7515}}` (רָפַשׂ, *râphas*) denotes the forceful act of "trampling" or "roiling" water, thereby causing it to become "foul" or "troubled." Its rare but potent occurrences in Ezekiel consistently depict this action as a metaphor for the destructive and defiling impact of oppressive leadership. Whether describing Pharaoh's tyrannical influence or the selfish exploitation by Israel's shepherds, `{{H7515}}` vividly portrays how the powerful, through their unrighteous actions, actively spoil life-sustaining resources for the vulnerable. Theologically, it serves as a powerful indictment against injustice and a testament to God's condemnation of those who, instead of nurturing, actively corrupt and defile the common good, thereby inviting divine judgment.
TRV