H5314 H5314
to take breath, refresh oneself; Niphal of נָפַשׁ
This denominative verb, derived from the noun 'nephesh' (breath, life, soul), means to breathe deeply, take breath, or refresh oneself after exertion. The Law commands rest on the seventh day 'so that your ox and donkey may rest, and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed' (Exodus 23:12). Exodus 31:17 uses striking anthropomorphic language: God himself 'was refreshed' after six days of creation. When David and his exhausted men reach the Jordan after fleeing Absalom, they stop and 'refresh themselves' (2 Samuel 16:14). The verb captures that deep restorative breathing after labor or stress.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Two Exodus passages link refreshment to Sabbath rest—both for laborers and, remarkably, for God himself after creation (31:17). The anthropomorphism startled some ancient interpreters, yet it affirms creation's genuine costliness. David's refreshment (2 Samuel 16:14) is more literal: battle-weary troops catching their breath. Multilingual renderings emphasize renewal: 'reposó' (rested), 'se-refresque' (be refreshed). The Niphal reflexive stem highlights the self-directed nature—one actively takes breath for oneself rather than merely ceasing activity. 3×
AR["فَاستَراحَ", "وَ-تَنَفَّسَ", "وَ-يَتَنَفَّسَ"]·ben["এবং-বিশ্রাম-নিল", "এবং-শ্বাস-নিতে-পারুক", "এবং-সতেজ-হলেন।"]·DE["und-er-refreshed-sich-selbst", "und-moege-sein-refreshed", "und-war-refreshed"]·EN["and-he-refreshed-himself", "and-may-be-refreshed", "and-was-refreshed"]·FR["et-il-refreshed-lui-même", "et-puisse-être-refreshed", "et-était-refreshed"]·heb["ו-יינפש", "ו-ינפש", "ו-נפש"]·HI["और-ताज़ा-हुआ", "और-ताजा-हो", "और-साँस-ली"]·ID["dan-Ia-beristirahat", "dan-beristirahat", "dan-disegarkan"]·IT["e-egli-refreshed-sé-stesso", "e-fu-refreshed", "e-may-essere-refreshed"]·jav["lan-Panjenenganipun-seger.", "lan-ngaso", "sarta-seger-malih"]·KO["그리고-쉬게-하라", "그리고-쉬셨다", "그리고-쉬었다"]·PT["e-descansou", "e-recuperou-fôlego", "e-se-restaure"]·RU["и-отдохнул", "и-передохнет"]·ES["y-reposó", "y-se-refrescaron", "y-se-refresque"]·SW["na-aburudishwe", "na-akajipumzisha", "na-akapumzika"]·TR["ve-dinlendi", "ve-nefes-alsın", "ve-soluk-aldı"]·urd["اور-تازہ-دم-ہو", "اور-تروتازہ-ہوا", "اور-دم-لیا"]
Related Senses
H7200 1. Qal: to see, perceive (1257×)G4771 2. you (singular address) (1077×)H8085 1. Qal: hear, perceive aurally (921×)H0859a 1. you (2nd person masculine singular pronoun) (743×)H0398 1. eat (consume food) (697×)H4191 1. die (Qal: natural/general death) (645×)G3708 1. see, perceive visually (419×)G0191 1. hear, perceive sound (360×)H???? 3. (352×)G3708 2. behold, look (exclamatory) (256×)H7272 1. foot (body part) (236×)H8354 1. drink, consume liquid (209×)H3205 1. Qal active: bear/give birth (female subject) (204×)H3205 2. Qal active: beget/father (male subject) (198×)H2421 1. Qal: live, be alive (177×)H8085 2. Qal: listen, heed, pay attention (172×)H2416a 1. alive, living (state/attribute) (146×)H2416e 1. life, lifespan, lifetime (145×)G2198 1. be alive, have life (133×)H8193 1. lip, lips (body part) (123×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† [נָפַשׁ] vb.denom. (cf. Syriac ܢܰܦܶܫ refresh; ܐܶܬܢܦܶܫ, ܐܶܬܢܰܦܰܫ be refreshed; Ethiopic ነፍሰ );— Niph. Impf. 3 ms. יִנָּפֵשׁ Ex 23:12 (E) 2 S 16:14; וַיִּנָּפַ֑שׁ Ex 31:17 (P);—take breath, refresh oneself.