Original Word: ῥαπίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rhapizó
Pronunciation: hrap-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (hrap-id'-zo)
Definition: To strike with a rod, to slap, to hit with the palm of the hand.
Meaning: I slap, strike, smite with the hand.

slap, smite with the palm of the hand.

From a derivative of a primary rhepo (to let fall, "rap"); to slap -- smite (with the palm of the hand). Compare tupto.

see GREEK tupto

Word Origin
from a derivation of rhabdos
Definition
to strike with a rod, hence to strike with the palm of the hand
NASB Translation
slapped (1), slaps (1).

STRONGS NT 4474: ῤαπίζω

ῤαπίζω; future ῥαπίσω (cf. Buttmann, 37 (32f)); 1 aorist ἐρράπισα and (so L T Tr WH) ἐραπισα (see Rho); (from ῤαπίς a rod);

1. to smite with a rod or staff (Xenophanes in (Diogenes Laërtius 8, 36; Herodotus, Demosthenes, Polybius, Plutarch, others).

2. "to smite in the face with the palm of the hand, to box the ear: τινα, Matthew 26:67 (where it is distinguished from κολαφίζω (A. V. buffet); for Suidas says ῥαπισαι. πατάσσειν τήν γνάθον ἁπλῆ τῇ χειρί not with the fist; hence, the Vulg. renders itpalmas in faciem ei dederunt; (A. V. marginal reading (R. V. marginal reading) adopt sense 1 above)); τινα ἐπί (L T Tr text WH εἰς) τήν σιαγόνα, Matthew 5:39 (Hosea 11:4). Cf. Fischer, De vitiis Lexicons, etc., p. 61ff; Lob. ad Phryn., p. 175; (Schmidt, Syn., chapter 113, 10; Field, Otium Norv. pars iii., p. 71).

Word Origin: Derived from a presumed derivative of the base of ῥάβδος (rhabdos), meaning "a rod" or "staff."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ῥαπίζω, the concept of striking or smiting can be related to Hebrew terms such as נָכָה (nakah • Strong's Hebrew 5221), which means "to strike" or "to smite." This term is used in various contexts in the Old Testament to describe physical blows or divine punishment.

Usage: The term ῥαπίζω is used in the New Testament to describe the act of striking or slapping, often in a context of mockery or punishment.

Context: The Greek verb ῥαπίζω appears in the New Testament in contexts that convey physical assault, typically involving a slap or a strike. This term is notably used in the Gospels to describe the treatment of Jesus during His trial and crucifixion. The act of striking with the hand or a rod was a common form of insult or punishment in ancient times, symbolizing both physical harm and social humiliation.

In Matthew 5:39, Jesus teaches about non-retaliation, saying, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Here, ῥαπίζω is used metaphorically to illustrate the principle of responding to aggression with grace and forgiveness, rather than seeking revenge.

The term is also used in the context of Jesus' passion. In Matthew 26:67, it is recorded, "Then they spat in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him," indicating the physical abuse and mockery Jesus endured. Similarly, in John 18:22, after Jesus speaks to the high priest, "When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, 'Is this how You answer the high priest?'"

These instances highlight the fulfillment of prophetic suffering and the unjust treatment Jesus received, underscoring His role as the suffering servant who endures humiliation and pain for the sake of humanity.

εραπισαν ἐράπισαν ερράπισαν ραπιζει ῥαπίζει ραπίζων erapisan erápisan rapizei rhapizei rhapízeiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts