H7363b H7363b
hover, brood over; describes motion that is gentle, protective, or suspended above something
A verb depicting hovering or gentle movement over something. Genesis 1:2 describes the Spirit of God 'hovering over the waters' at creation, suggesting either protective brooding or fertilizing presence. Deuteronomy 32:11 uses the same verb for a vulture hovering over its young, clearly protective. The Syriac cognate supports both 'move gently' and 'brood,' adding interpretive depth to the creation account.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Describes the action of hovering or moving gently over something, often with protective or creative intent. In Genesis 1:2, God's Spirit 'hovers' (or 'broods') over the primordial waters, with ancient interpreters divided on whether this is fertilizing motion or protective presence. Deuteronomy 32:11 clarifies the imagery: a vulture hovering over its young. The Syriac evidence (move gently, cherish, brood) supports both protective and creative nuances, making this term crucial for creation theology. 2×
AR["يَرِفُّ"]·ben["বিচরণ-করছিলেন", "মেলে"]·DE["hovers", "schwebte"]·EN["hovering", "hovers"]·FR["hovers", "planant"]·heb["ירחף", "רחף"]·HI["मंडराता-है", "मंडराती-थी"]·ID["melayang", "melayang-layang"]·IT["hovering", "hovers"]·jav["anglayang", "nglayang"]·KO["맴돈다", "운행하고-있었다"]·PT["paira", "pairava"]·RU["носился", "парит"]·ES["revolotea", "se-movía"]·SW["anaelea", "ilikuwa-ikiangalia"]·TR["hareket-ediyordu", "kanat-çırpar"]·urd["منڈلا-رہی-تھی", "پھڑپھڑاتا-ہے"]
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
† II. רָחַף vb. Pi. hover (NH id., cf. Grünbaumzmg xxxix (1885), 607; Syriac Pa. ܪܰܚܶܦ move gently, also cherish, and brood, cf. Thess. v.; connexion with I. ר׳ dub.);— Pi. Impf. 3 ms. יְרַחֵף עַל Dt 32:11 (poem) of vulture hovering over young; Pt. רוּחַ א׳ מְרַחֶפֶת עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּ֑יִם Gn 1:2 (P); hovering over face of waters, or perhaps (v. Syriac) brooding (and fertilizing), so JerQuaest. in Gen. ed. Lag. 4 (reading ‘marahaefeth’), cf. Di Gunk.