Original Word: עָרַף
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `araph
Pronunciation: ah-raf'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-raf')
KJV: drop (down)
NASB: drop, drop down
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to droop
2. (hence) to drip

drop down

A primitive root; to droop; hence, to drip -- drop (down).

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to drip, drop
NASB Translation
drop (1), drop down (1).

II. [עָרַף] verb drip, drop (compare Arabic lade out water with the hand (as with ladle), compare Phoenician ערפת portico (whence rain drips) see Hoffm^{Abh. d. GGW xxxvi, May, 1889, 12 f.}; compare also Arabic upper-room; מערף ענן Ecclus 43:22 the dropping of a cloud, Assyrian irpu, irpitu, cloud(s)); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine plural שָׁמָיו יַעַרְפוּטָֿ֑ל Deuteronomy 33:28 his heavens drop dew; figurative, of speech, intransitive, יַעֲרֹף כַּמָּטָר לִקְחִי Deuteronomy 32:2 let my teaching drop like the rain ("" תִּזַּל כַּטַּל אִמְרָתִי). — compare רָעַף.

Root Idea and Imagery

עָרַף depicts the gentle dripping or distilling of moisture. Scripture employs it to portray a quiet, life-giving movement from above to below—rain and dew that nurture the earth without storm or violence. The image carries an automatic theological weight: whatever comes from God’s “heavens” arrives with purposeful tenderness, suited to the need of soil and soul alike.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Deuteronomy 32:2 – Moses prays, “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew …”.
2. Deuteronomy 33:28 – Israel is pictured in covenant security “where the heavens drop dew”.

Although few in number, these occurrences bracket the closing ministry of Moses: the Song that warns and the Blessing that assures. Together they form a literary envelope in which עָרַף highlights both the content of instruction and the certainty of provision.

Nurturing Instruction

In Deuteronomy 32 Moses has just declared the perfections of the LORD (32:3-4) and indicted Israel’s anticipated apostasy (32:5-18). By choosing עָרַף he likens divine teaching to rain that quietly penetrates the ground, working from the surface downward until it transforms the hidden root. The metaphor rebukes shallow hearing while commending sustained meditation; truth does not batter—it soaks.

Covenant Blessing

Deuteronomy 33:28 moves from exhortation to comfort. The promise that “the heavens drop dew” answers the Song’s warning of heaven “shut up” (Deuteronomy 28:23). Thus עָרַף signals the reversal of curse for a people who remain under God’s electing love. The drip of dew on grain (symbol of daily bread) and new wine (symbol of celebratory life) proclaims covenant fullness.

Theological Threads

• Revelation: The word presents doctrine not as data hurled from on high but as refreshing precipitation prepared by a wise God (Isaiah 55:10-11).
• Grace: Rain and dew are unearned; they illustrate prevenient mercy (Matthew 5:45).
• Perseverance: Dew forms nightly and rain returns seasonally; so Scripture nourishes repeatedly, sustaining long obedience (Psalm 1:2-3).

Christological Resonance

Jesus embodies the motif. His words “distilled” into hearts (John 7:46), His doctrine “dropped” in parables that lingered, and His blood fell to the ground in Gethsemane like “great drops” (Luke 22:44), sealing the new covenant promised by Moses. Peter later speaks of the “living and enduring word” that causes believers to be born anew (1 Peter 1:23-25), mirroring the vegetative imagery of Deuteronomy 32:2.

Ministry Application

• Preaching: Aim for depth over drama; allow truth to sink rather than splash.
• Discipleship: Encourage steady intake of Scripture—daily “dew” times rather than sporadic downpours.
• Prayer: Ask that teaching “fall like rain,” shaping hearers beyond the moment of delivery.

Historical Reception

Rabbinic commentators viewed the verse as justification for varied teaching methods—rain for sages, dew for novices. Early Church fathers saw in it a prophecy of apostolic preaching to Jews (abundant showers) and Gentiles (gentle dew). Reformation expositors highlighted the sufficiency of Scripture, comparing its steady influence to the agricultural cycles of ancient Israel.

Devotional Reflection

Contemplate the patience of God who sends grace one droplet at a time. Yield the hardened places of the heart to His quiet, persistent moisture, trusting that what starts as a single drip can penetrate to the deepest root and bear fruit for eternity.

יַ֥עַרְפוּ יַעֲרֹ֤ף יערף יערפו ya‘ărōp̄ ya‘arp̄ū ya·‘ă·rōp̄ ya·‘ar·p̄ū Yaarfu yaaRofInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts