H3943 H3943
to twist, grasp with twisting motion, turn sharply
A verb describing a turning, twisting, or grasping motion. Samson grasped the two central pillars—probably with a twisting, forceful grip. Boaz turned over suddenly in the night, startled to find Ruth at his feet. Job uses it metaphorically for wadis that 'wind away' or 'turn aside' as their water fails. The root conveys sudden, rotational movement, whether physical grasping or directional change.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Judges 16:29 depicts Samson's final act: 'and he grasped (וַיִּלְפֹּת) the two middle pillars,' using force and leverage to bring down the temple. Ruth 3:8 describes Boaz's midnight surprise: 'the man turned sharply (וַיִּלָּפֵת) and behold, a woman!' The Niphal suggests reflexive, sudden movement—he started and twisted around. Job 6:18 has caravan paths 'wind away' or 'turn aside' (יִלָּפְתוּ) into the desert, though some read this as Qal (caravans turn aside). Translations: Spanish 'abrazar/volver,' German 'grasped,' French 'tourna.' 3×
AR["تَلْتَوي", "وَ-اعْتَنَقَ", "وَ-الْتَفَتَ"]·ben["এবং-জড়িয়ে-ধরলেন", "এবং-তিনি-ঘুরলেন", "বাঁকা-নেয়"]·DE["[וילפת]", "[ילפתו]", "und-grasped"]·EN["and-grasped", "and-he-turned", "wind"]·FR["et-grasped", "et-il-tourna", "ילפתו"]·heb["ו-לפת", "ו-נלפת", "יילפתו"]·HI["और-पकड़ा", "और-मुड़ा", "मुड़-जाते-हैं"]·ID["Berliku-liku", "Dan-memeluk", "dan-meraba"]·IT["e-egli-volse", "e-grasped", "vento"]·jav["Lan-ngrengkuh", "lan-nggegem", "sami-menggak"]·KO["구불거린다", "그리고-돌아누웠다", "그리고-잡았다"]·PT["E-abraçou", "e-virou-se", "serpenteiam"]·RU["И-обхватил", "и-повернулся", "извиваются"]·ES["Se-tuercen", "Y-abrazó", "y-se-volvió"]·SW["Na-akashika", "na-akajigeuza", "vinapotoshwa"]·TR["Ve-kavradı", "kıvrılırlar", "ve-döndü"]·urd["اور-لپٹا", "اور-مُڑا", "موڑ-لیتے-ہیں"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [לָפַת] vb. twist, turn, grasp with a twisting motion (Arabic لَفَتَ twist, wring; Assyrian lapâtu, overthrow, DlHWB 382);— Qal Impf. וַיִּלְפֹּת Ju 16:29 sq. acc., Samson grasped the two middle columns. Niph. Impf. 3 ms. וַיִּלָּפֵת Ru 3:8 the man started up and twisted himself; 3 mpl. יִלָּֽפְתוּ Jb 6:18 the paths of their way [i.e. of the streams] turn aside (twist, wind, with lessening…