Original Word: נָפַל
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: naphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-fal')
KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down
NASB: fall, fell, fallen, falls, cast, fell down, cast down
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

cast down, self, lots, out, cease, die, divide by lot, let fail,

A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative) -- be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for palal), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be (X hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, X surely, throw down.

see HEBREW palal

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to fall, lie
NASB Translation
abandon (1), allot (1), allotted (2), anyone falls (1), apportioned (2), attacked (2), born (1), bring down (1), burst (1), came down (1), cast (16), cast down (5), casts (1), collapse (1), come (3), dash down (1), defect (1), defected (3), deserted (3), deserters (3), did (1), dismounted (1), divide by lot (2), divide it by lot (1), downfall (1), dropped (1), fail (1), fail* (1), failed (4), fall (130), fall down (4), fallen (55), fallen away (1), fallen down (4), falling (3), falling down (2), falls (22), falls away (1), fell (98), fell down (8), felled (1), felling (1), give birth (1), go over (1), going over (2), gone over (3), inferior (2), killed (1), knocks (1), lay (1), lay down (1), lay flat (1), lie down (1), look (1), lost (2), lying (5), making (1), perish (1), present (1), presenting (3), prostrating (1), remains (1), settled (1), surely fall (1), throw (2), topple (1), turns (1), void (1), waste away (3).

נָפַל₄₃₃ verb fall, lie (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, ᵑ7 נְפַל, Syriac ; compare also Arabic dedit praedam (Nö^{ZMG xl (1886), 725} Frä^153f.), Minaean נפל remove Hom^{Sudar. Chrest. 128}); —

Qal₃₆₆ Perfect ׳נ Judges 5:27 +, 3 feminine singular נָָֽפְלָה Genesis 15:12 +, etc.; Imperfect יִמֹּל 1 Samuel 14:45 +, וַיִּמֹּל Judges 4:16 +; 1 singular אֶמֹּל 1 Chronicles 21:13 (needless change from 1 plural נִמְּלָה "" 2 Samuel 24:14 We Dr); 3 masculine plural יִמְּלוּ Hosea 7:16 +, יִמֹּ֑לוּ Isaiah 3:25 +, 3 feminine plural תִּמֹּ֫לְנָה Ezekiel 13:11; Ezekiel 30:25, etc.; Imperative masculine plural נִפְלוּ Hosea 10:8; Jeremiah 25:27; Infinitive absolute נָפוֺל Esther 6:13; construct נְפֹל Isaiah 30:25 +; לִנְמֹּל Jeremiah 51:49 +; suffix נָפְלוֺ 1 Samuel 29:3, נִפְלוֺ 2 Samuel 1:10, נִפְלָם Jeremiah 49:21 (on these forms compare Ba^{NB 104}); Participle נֹפֵל Judges 4:22 +; feminine נֹפֶ֫לֶת Genesis 15:12 +; plural נֹפְלִים Joshua 8:25 + (insert also 1 Samuel 28:19b ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu HPS; Klo כֹּרְעִים), etc.; —

1 fall, by accident, שָֿׁ֫מָּה׳וְנ Exodus 21:33 (E) and there fall into it (a pit) an ox or an ass, compare Deuteronomy 22:4 (בַּדֶּרֶךְ, on the way),bird עַלמַּֿח Amos 3:5; subject person, 1 Samuel 4:18 (from seat, מֵעַל), Deuteronomy 22:8 (twice in verse) (from roof, מִן); often into (ב) pit (usually figurative) Proverbs 26:27; Proverbs 28:10, also (absolute), Proverbs 22:14, Ecclesiastes 10:8; Psalm 7:16; Psalm 57:7 (בְּתוֺךְ), compare Psalm 35:8; Psalm 141:10 (net), also, with אֶל, Isaiah 24:18 = Jeremiah 48:44; fall בְּלֵב יַמִּים Ezekiel 25:27; opposed to קוּם Jeremiah 8:4 compare Ecclesiastes 4:10 (twice in verse); with אָחוֺר fall backward Genesis 49:17 (poem); with בְּעַד through 2 Kings 1:2 compare (of locusts) Joel 2:8; עַלחֶֿרֶב ׳נ causing death 1 Samuel 31:4,5 = 1 Chronicles 10:4,5; עַלמָּֿנָיו אַ֫רְצָה ׳נ 1 Samuel 17:49 (Goliath); subject thing, 2 Kings 2:13,14 (מֵעַל), 2 Kings 6:5 (אֶלֿ into water), 2 Kings 6:6 (absolute); with עַל Leviticus 11:32,35,37,38, אֶלֿ Leviticus 11:33; absolute of tent Judges 7:13 + Judges 7:13 (gloss, GFM, Bu); of wall Joshua 6:5 (JE), Jeremiah 51:44, figurative Ezekiel 13:11 (strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Sm Co Berthol), Ezekiel 13:12; Ezekiel 13:14, לְאֶרֶץ Ezekiel 38:20; + תַּחְתֶּיהָ i.e. flat Joshua 6:20; ׳נ of bricks Isaiah 9:9 (in figurative), מֶּרֶץ Isaiah 30:13; towes Isaiah 30:25, foundations Jeremiah 50:15; wall fell upon (על) 1 Kings 20:30, so of house Judges 16:30; Job 1:19, mountains Hosea 10:8; mountain also absolute Job 14:18 (compare נָבֵל), height Ezekiel 38:20; tree Ecclesiastes 11:3 (twice in verse) (ב location), compare Isaiah 10:34 (בְ instrumental, in figure), Zechariah 11:2 (absolute); branches Ezekiel 31:12 (figurative); a grain Amos 9:9 (אֶרֶץ = to earth); of dew 2 Samuel 17:12 (with על), hailstones Ezekiel 13:11; blood (אַ֫רְצָה) 1 Samuel 26:20; hair of head (ארצה) 1 Samuel 14:45; 2 Samuel 14:11; 1 Kings 1:52; horns of altar Amos 3:14 (לָאָרֶץ); peg Isaiah 22:25; fruit עַלמֶּֿה Nahum 3:12; crown Lamentations 5:16; arm from (מִן) shoulder Job 31:22; of sword (apparently) 2 Samuel 20:8 (but on text see Commentaries); fire from heaven, absolute 1 Kings 18:38 with מִן Job 1:16 ; hand of ׳י Ezekiel 8:1 (with עַלֿ; but read וַתְּהִי ᵐ5 Co Berthol); spirit of ׳י Ezekiel 11:5 (עַלֿ); of lot (גּוֺרָל) Ezekiel 24:6; Jonah 1:7 (both with עַל), 1 Chronicles 26:14 (with לְ; "" יָצָא), + Esther 3:7 ᵐ5 Ry Wild (עַל); compare Hiph`il 3; hence (of share, inheritance) fall, be allotted, to (לְ) Judges 18:1 (ב = as: בְּ 17c; so Numbers 34:2; Ezekiel 47:14), Psalm 16:6, absolute Joshua 17:5. — On Ezekiel 47:22b see Hiph`il 3.

2. a. Especially of violent death (c. 96 t.), Judges 5:27 (3 t. in verse) (+ שָׁדוּד), 1 Samuel 4:10; 1 Samuel 14:13; 2 Samuel 11:17; 2 Samuel 21:9; 1 Kings 22:20 2Chronicles 18:9, etc.; + וַיָּמָת, etc.; 2 Samuel 1:4; 2 Samuel 2:23 (twice in verse); חָלָל ׳נ fall pierced (fatally) Judges 9:40; 1 Samuel 17:52; 1 Samuel 31:1 = 1 Chronicles 10:1 +; חַלְלֵי חֶרֶב Ezekiel 35:8; compare בְּתוֺח חֲלָלִים Ezekiel 32:20; תַּחַת הֲרוּגִים ׳נ Isaiah 10:4; מְּגָרִים ׳נ corpses fall Jeremiah 9:21; Numbers 14:29 (P), Numbers 14:32 (JE); by the sword, בַּחֶרֶב Amos 7:17; Hosea 7:16; Hosea 14:1; Isaiah 3:25; 2 Samuel 1:12; Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 6:11; Numbers 14:3,43 (JE), (+ בָּרָעָב, בַּדֶּבֶר), etc.; לְפִי חֶרֶב ׳נ Joshua 8:24 (JE), Judges 4:16 ; בְּיַד by the hand of 2 Samuel 21:22; 2 Samuel 24:14 (twice in verse) = 1 Chronicles 21:13 (twice in verse), 1 Chronicles 5:10; 1 Chronicles 20:8 ; תַּחַת רגליִ ׳נ fall under my feet 2 Samuel 22:39 = Psalm 18:39.

b. figurative = go to ruin, perish, etc. (c. 30 t.); Amos 5:2; Amos 8:14 +; often "" כָּשַׁל Isaiah 3:8; Isaiah 8:15 (+ other words), Isaiah 31:3; Jeremiah 8:12; Jeremiah 46:12; Jeremiah 50:32; Psalm 27:2; Proverbs 24:17; "" כָּרַע Psalm 20:9; figurative of earth Isaiah 24:20 (opposed to קוּם), Haman falls before (לִפְנֵי) Mordecai Esther 6:13 (twice in verse); compare Isaiah 14:12 (absolute); peculiar to Prov are בְּרִשְׁעָה ׳נ Proverbs 11:5, בְּרַע Proverbs 13:17, בְּרָעָה Proverbs 17:20; Proverbs 28:14.

c. figurative = experience calamity Micah 7:8 (opposed to קוּם), Psalm 37:34; Psalm 145:14; Proverbs 24:16.

d. fall, of a city Jeremiah 51:8 ("" וַתִּשָּׁבֵר).

3. a. Fall prostrate, Judges 19:26,27, + אַ֫רְצָה Job 1:20; fall at full length (in a faint) וַיִּמֹּל מְלֹאֿ קוֺמָתוֺ 1 Samuel 28:20; sink down Numbers 24:4,16 (J E; supernatural influence); of arms of Pharaoh Ezekiel 30:25 (opposed to חָזַק).

b. fall = prostrate oneself before (לִפְנֵי) man Genesis 50:18 (E), 2 Samuel 19:19; Genesis 44:14 (J; + אַ֫רְצָה); before ׳י2Chronicles 20:18; אֶלמָּֿנָיו אַ֫רְצָה ׳נ before ׳י or his representative Joshua 5:14; Joshua 7:6 (both J E); also (ארצה omitted) Ezekiel 43:3; Ezekiel 44:4; before man 2 Samuel 14:22; more often עַלמָּֿנָיו ׳נ, before man 2 Samuel 9:6; 1 Kings 18:7,39; Ruth 2:10, before ׳י Genesis 17:3,17 6t. P, Ezekiel 3:23; Ezekiel 9:8; Ezekiel 11:13; 1 Chronicles 21:16; Daniel 8:17; + אַ֫רְפָה, before man 2 Samuel 14:4, before ׳י Judges 13:20; לְאַמָּיו אַ֫רְצָה 1 Samuel 20:41, לְאַמֵּי דָוִד עַלמָּֿנֶיהָ 1 Samuel 25:23, ארצה ׳נ 2 Samuel 1:2 (all before man); עַלרַֿגְלָיו ׳נ fall at one's feet 1 Samuel 25:24; 2 Kings 4:37, ׳לִפְנֵי ר Esther 8:3. See synonym below קדד.

c. fall upon (עַל) one's neck, in embrace Genesis 33:4; Genesis 46:29 (both J), Genesis 45:14 (E), עַלמְּֿנֵי אָבִיו Genesis 50:1 (J).

4. a. Fall upon (עַל) = attack Jeremiah 48:32 (figurative), compare Isaiah 16:9; with בְּ Joshua 11:7 (D), absolute Job 1:15; אִישׁ אֶלרֵֿעֵהוּ ׳נ Jeremiah 46:16.

b. desert or fall away to, go over to, with עַלֿ 2 Kings 25:11 (twice in verse) = Jeremiah 52:15 (twice in verse), Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 37:14; Jeremiah 39:9; 1 Chronicles 12:20; 1 Chronicles 12:21 (twice in verse) (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:19; v.1 Chronicles 12:20; v.1 Chronicles 12:20), 2 Chronicles 15:9, with אֶלֿ 2 Kings 7:4; Jeremiah 37:13; Jeremiah 38:19, absolute 1 Samuel 29:3; Jeremiah 39:9.

c. בְּיַד ׳נ fall into the hand (power) of Judges 15:18; Lamentations 1:7: — compare also 2. a. above

5 Figurative, of deep sleep, with עַל Genesis 15:12 (J), 1 Samuel 26:12; Job 4:13; Job 33:15; face, countenance (in displeasure) Genesis 4:5,6 (J); לֵב אָדָם עָלָיו ׳נ 1 Samuel 17:32 (of sinking heart); וַיִּמְּלוּ בְעֵינֵיהֶם) Nehemiah 6:16 and they were cast down in their (own) eyes (compare BeRy, Ryle); of calamity followed by עַלֿ Isaiah 47:11; Ecclesiastes 9:12; terror, etc., followed by עַלֿ Genesis 15:12 (J), Joshua 2:9 (JE), Exodus 15:16 (song), 1 Samuel 11:7; Job 13:11; Psalm 55:5; Psalm 105:38; Esther 8:17; Esther 9:2,3; Daniel 10:7; reproach, followed by עַלֿ Psalm 69:10; = fail to be accomplished Joshua 21:43; Joshua 23:14 (twice in verse) (all D), 1 Kings 8:56; 2 Kings 10:10 (+ אַ֫רְצָה); = not to be reckoned Numbers 6:12 (P); of word (דָּבָר) falling into (ב) Israel Isaiah 9:7; = fall out, turn out, result Ruth 3:18 (subject דָּבָר).

6 Other idiomatic uses are: לְמִשְׁכָּב ׳נ take to one's bed Exodus 21:18 (E); settle Genesis 25:18 (J); = alight quickly, מֵעַל הַגָּמָל Genesis 24:64 (J), מֵעַל הַמֶּרְכָּבָה 2 Kings 5:21; waste away Numbers 5:21,22,27; = be born Isaiah 26:18 (compare

Hiph`il Isaiah 26:19); = be offered, of supplication (׳לִפְנֵי י) Jeremiah 36:7; Jeremiah 37:20; Jeremiah 42:2 (compare Hiph`il 6); with מִן = be inferior to Job 12:3; Job 13:2.

7 = lie, of Midianites, etc. (like locusts; ב location) Judges 9:12; = lie prostrate, 1 Samuel 19:24; usually participle Joshua 7:10 (J E; עַלמָּֿנֶיךָ), 1 Samuel 5:3,4 (לְפָנָיו), Amos 9:11, עַלהַֿמִּטָּה Esther 7:8; of the dead 1 Samuel 31:8 = 1 Chronicles 10:8; Deuteronomy 21:1; Ezekiel 32:27 (Co conjecture נְפִילִים [compare Genesis 6:4], see also Berthol Toy^Hpt); נֹפֵל אַ֫רְצָה מֵת Judges 3:25; compare Judges 4:22 (omit ארצה); אַ֫רְצָה ׳מְּגָרִים נ2Chronicles 20:24; compare also Ezekiel 32:22,23,24 (strike out in Ezekiel 32:22 Hi Co Berthol, in Ezekiel 32:23 Toy^Hpt).

Hiph`il Perfect הִמִּיל 1 Samuel 3:19 +; 2 masculine singular suffix הִמַּלְתָּם Psalm 73:18; 3plural הִמִּילוּ Judges 2:19 +; 1 plural הִמַּלְנוּ Nehemiah 10:35, etc.; Imperfect יַמִּיל Exodus 21:27, וַיַּמֵּל Genesis 2:21 +, suffix יַמִּלֵם Psalm 140:11; 3masculine plural יַמִּילוּ 2 Kings 3:25; Psalm 22:19, יַמִּיל֑וּן Job 29:24, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הַמִּלֶהָ Joshua 13:6; masculine plural הַמִּילוּ 1 Samuel 14:42; Infinitive construct לְהַמִּיל 1 Samuel 18:25 +; לַנְמִּל Numbers 5:22 read לִנְמֹּל (Di Ol^{§ 78 c} Sta^{§ 114 a, 2} Kö^{i. 309} Ges^{§ 66}, 2 R 1); Participle מַמִּיל 2 Kings 6:5 2t., plural מַמִּילִים Daniel 9:18; —

1 cause to fall, with accusative, literally:

a. fell tree 2 Kings 3:19,25; compare 2 Kings 6:5.

b. throw down wall 2 Samuel 20:15.

c. knock out tooth Exodus 21:27 (E).

d. lay prostrate Deuteronomy 25:2 (for bastinado).

e. cast (cedar pillars) into (עַלֿ) fire Jeremiah 22:7; so (with ב), wicked men Psalm 140:11.

f. make sword drop from (מִן) hand Ezekiel 30:22 (figurative), compare Ezekiel 39:3.

g. cause stone to fall עַל Numbers 35:23, flesh Psalm 78:28 (בְּקֶרֶב), stars Daniel 8:10 (in vision).

2 Of causing death בַּחֶרֶב 2 Kings 19:7 = Isaiah 37:7; Jeremiah 19:7; Ezekiel 32:12 (all ׳י subject), 2 Chronicles 32:21 (human subject); בְּיַד 1 Samuel 18:25; + חֲלָלִים Ezekiel 6:4; Proverbs 7:26; also Psalm 106:26; Daniel 11:12 = overthrow, bring to destruction, Psalm 37:14; Psalm 73:18 (with ל), Psalm 106:27.

3 Especially of casting lot (גּוֺרָל), Isaiah 34:17 (with לְ for), Nehemiah 10:35 (with עַל + infinitive), Nehemiah 11:1 (c. infinitive), 1 Chronicles 26:14 (with לְ; so read Kit^Hpt compare ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Be Öttli), Psalm 22:19 (with עַל), Esther 9:24 (c. infinitive); absolute Jonah 1:7 (twice in verse); 1 Chronicles 24:31; 1 Chronicles 25:8; 1 Chronicles 26:13; Esther 3:7; + בְּתוֺכֵנוּ Proverbs 1:14 (i.e. share with us); omitted גּוֺרָל 1 Samuel 14:32 (with בֵּין), Job 6:27 (with עַל); hence ׳הִמּ = assign, apportion, by lot, usually with לְ person, Joshua 13:6; Joshua 23:4 (both D), Ezekiel 45:1; Ezekiel 47:22 a = Ezekiel 47:22 b (read יַמִּילוּ ᵑ9 ᵑ7 Hi-Sm Co Berthol), Ezekiel 48:29 (read בְנַחֲלָה for ׳מנ ᵐ5 ᵑ9 Hi-Sm, etc.), Psalm 78:55 (compare Qal 1 end; and בְּ 17c).

4 Figurative, let drop, cause to fail (cf Qal 5), Judges 2:19; Esther 6:10, + אַ֫רְצָה 1 Samuel 3:19.

5 Cause deep sleep to fall (עַלֿ) Genesis 2:21 (J), Proverbs 19:15 (absolute), make countenance fall, look displeased at (ב), Jeremiah 3:12, compare Job 29:24 (object אוֺר מָּנַי); cause terror, etc., to fall (עַלֿ) Jeremiah 15:8.

6 Other idioms are: bring to life (properly drop young) Isaiah 26:19 (figurative); present supplication Jeremiah 38:26; Jeremiah 42:9; Daniel 9:18,20 (all with לִפְנֵי); — on both compare Qal 6.

Hithpa`el throw, or prostrate oneself,

1 Infinitive construct הִתְנַמֵּל throw himself upon (על) Genesis 43:18 (J; i.e. attack).

2 Perfect1singular הִתְנַמָּ֑לְתִּי Deuteronomy 9:25; Imperfect1singular וָאֶתְנַמַּל Deuteronomy 9:18,25; Participle מִתְנַמֵּל Ezra 10:1; — prostrate oneself and lie prostrate, ׳לִפְנֵי י. —

Pil`el. וְנִפְלַל Ezekiel 28:23, read וְנָפַל Hi-Sm Co Berthol.

נְפַל verb fall (see Biblical Hebrew); —

Pe`al Perfect3masculine singular ׳נ Daniel 2:46; נְפַ֑ל Daniel 4:28; 3masculine plural נְפַ֫לוּ Daniel 3:23 + Daniel 7:20 Kt (Qr 3 feminine plural נְפַ֫לָה, K^{§ 23, 2}); Imperfect3masculine singular יִמֵּל (K^{§ 42}) Daniel 3:6 +; 2 masculine plural תִּמְּלוּן Daniel 3:5,15; Participle plural נָֽפְלִין Daniel 3:7 —

1 fall, עַלאַֿנְמּוֺהִי Daniel 2:46; fall down and do homage Daniel 3:5,6,7,10,11,15; ל location Daniel 3:23; of voice, מִןשְֿׁמַיָּא Daniel 4:28.

2 fall by violence Daniel 7:20 (with קֳדָם).

3 יִמֵּל לָךְ Ezra 7:20 it shall fall to thee (thou shalt need) to give (compare Christian-Palestinian Aramaic, Schulth^{Lex. 126 and ZAW xxii (1902), 163}).

Physical Descent and Structural Collapse

The verb frequently describes literal movement from a higher to a lower position. Genesis 14:10 records warriors who “fell there” into the bitumen pits surrounding the Valley of Siddim; Joshua 6:5 portrays the walls of Jericho that would “fall down flat.” In 2 Kings 1:2, King Ahaziah’s accidental tumble “through the lattice in his upper room” sets the stage for Elijah’s confrontation. These texts underscore the unavoidable reality that even the strongest structures and monarchs are subject to gravity and frailty under God’s governing hand.

Human Condition and Mortality

From the opening chapters of Scripture, falling is linked with the finitude of humanity. Genesis 17:3 notes that Abraham “fell facedown” when the Almighty revealed His covenant, a reaction that blends physical collapse with reverent awe. Psalm 36:12 warns, “There the evildoers have fallen; they are cast down, unable to rise.” The same term captures Job’s lament over human brevity: “When I hoped for good, then evil came; when I waited for light, darkness fell” (Job 30:26). These insights expose how the notion of falling serves as a sober reminder of mortality and the consequences of sin.

Divine Judgments and National Catastrophes

Prophets rely on נָפַל to depict the downfall of nations under divine wrath. Isaiah 21:9 announces, “Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground.” Ezekiel employs the word repetitively to describe Egypt’s defeat (Ezekiel 30:6) and the king of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:17). Amos 5:2 laments, “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again.” These proclamations demonstrate Yahweh’s sovereignty over geopolitical events and emphasize that political security apart from covenant fidelity is illusory.

Posture of Worship and Repentance

Beyond calamity, נָפַל marks the voluntary act of prostration before the Lord. Exodus 34:8: “Moses immediately bowed down to the ground and worshiped.” In Leviticus 9:24 the entire assembly “fell facedown” in holy fear when the LORD’s fire consumed the sacrifice. Ezra and Nehemiah revive this posture in post-exilic confession (Nehemiah 8:6). Whether personal or corporate, the gesture of falling underscores wholehearted submission to divine majesty.

Defeat in Battle

Military contexts account for a large share of occurrences. Judges 3:29 counts “about ten thousand Moabites, all vigorous and strong; not a man escaped.” 1 Samuel 4:10 records the slaughter of thirty thousand Israelite foot soldiers. 2 Chronicles 20:24 exhibits divine deliverance when enemies are found “lying dead on the ground; no one had escaped.” Here the fallen corpses certify either human impotence or divine intervention, depending on which side experiences the collapse.

Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Oversight

Prophetic literature broadens the semantic field to cosmic dimensions. Stars “fall from the sky” in Joel 2:10, heralding the day of the LORD. Ezekiel 38:20 portrays global upheaval: “The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble, and every wall will fall to the ground.” Such cataclysms prepare the reader for ultimate restoration when the LORD Himself guarantees that “the righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the earth” (Proverbs 10:30), implicitly promising that only the unjust truly fall in the eschaton.

Covenant Grace and Restoration

Despite repeated falls, Scripture insists on divine mercy. Psalm 37:24 consoles, “Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.” Micah 7:8 joins the refrain: “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise.” This thread anticipates the gospel promise that grace lifts the penitent, foreshadowing resurrection hope.

Messianic Foreshadowing

Jesus alludes to נָפַל imagery when He says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18). Isaiah 8:14–15 foretells that many will “stumble, fall, and be broken” over the Messianic stone, a passage Peter applies to Christ (1 Peter 2:8). Thus the vocabulary surrounding falling intertwines judgment on evil powers with the redemptive mission of the Anointed One.

Intertextual Patterns

1. Sequential Echo: Genesis 4:5 (Cain’s fallen countenance) and Jonah 3:6 (the king of Nineveh who rises from his throne only to fall into repentance) show that emotional or spiritual descent often precedes either violence or contrition.
2. Antithetic Pairing: Proverbs repeatedly balances falling with rising (Proverbs 24:16), reinforcing wisdom’s moral polarity.
3. Covenant Remnant: Passages forecasting national collapse are tempered by remnant assurances (Amos 9:11), portraying a rhythm of fall and restoration that threads through redemptive history.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Shepherding the Suffering: Pastors may comfort believers who feel they have “fallen short” by pointing to Psalm 145:14—“The LORD upholds all who fall.”
• Corporate Worship: Encouraging physical expressions of humility (kneeling or prostration) takes its cue from passages where worshipers fell before the LORD.
• Intercession for Nations: Daniel 11:19–20 illustrates rulers who “stumble and fall” overnight, motivating prayer for contemporary leaders lest they meet a similar fate under divine displeasure.
• Spiritual Warfare: Awareness that a believer can “stand firm” only by divine strength (Ephesians 6:13) contrasts the pervasive Old Testament record of those who fell by their own power.

Summary

Whether describing literal collapse, battle casualties, reverential prostration, or spiritual ruin, the verb נָפַל permeates the Hebrew Scriptures as a multi-faceted witness to the Creator’s rule, human dependence, and the ongoing drama of redemption. Its 435 occurrences carve a storyline in which every fall—individual, national, or cosmic—either magnifies God’s justice or magnifies His grace, ultimately converging in the One who rose after He had first fallen into the dust of death for many (Psalm 22:15).

אֶפְּלָה־ אֶפֹּֽלָה׃ אֶפֹּֽל׃ אַפִּ֣יל אַפִּ֥יל אַפִּֽיל׃ אפיל אפיל׃ אפל׃ אפלה־ אפלה׃ בִּנְפֹ֖ל בִּנְפֹ֣ל בִּנְפֹ֥ל בִּנְפֹ֧ל בַנֹּפְלִ֗ים בַנֹּפְלִ֛ים בנפל בנפלים הֲיִפְּל֖וּ הֲתִפֹּ֤ל הִ֝פַּלְתָּ֗ם הִפִּ֑ילָה הִפִּ֙ילוּ֙ הִפִּ֣יל הִפִּ֤יל הִפִּ֥יל הִפִּ֨ילוּ הִפִּילֻ֥הוּ הִפַּ֜לְנוּ הִפַּ֤לְתִּי הִפַּ֨לְתִּי הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים הַנֹּֽפְלִים֙ הַנֹּפְלִ֑ים הַנֹּפְלִ֖ים הַנֹּפְלִ֨ים הַנֹּפֵ֖ל הַנֹּפֵ֨ל הַנֹּפֶ֑לֶת הַפִּ֕ילוּ הַפִּלֶ֤הָ היפלו הנפל הנפלים הנפלת הפיל הפילה הפילהו הפילו הפלה הפלנו הפלתי הפלתם התנפלתי התפל וְהִפִּ֖ילוּ וְהִפִּ֛יל וְהִפִּ֥יל וְהִפִּיל֤וֹ וְהִפַּלְתִּ֤ים וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥י וְהִפַּלְתִּ֥יו וְהִפַּלְתִּי֙ וְהַנֹּ֣פְלִ֔ים וְיִפֹּ֑ל וְיִפֹּ֖ל וְלַנְפִּ֣ל וְנִפְּלָה֙ וְנִפְל֖וּ וְנִפְלַ֤ל וְנַפִּ֣ילָה וְנָ֣פְלוּ וְנָ֣פַלְתָּ֔ וְנָ֣פַלְתָּ֔ה וְנָ֨פְלָ֜ה וְנָֽפְל֛וּ וְנָֽפְלָה֙ וְנָֽפְלוּ֙ וְנָֽפַל־ וְנָפְל֖וּ וְנָפְל֣וּ וְנָפְל֥וּ וְנָפְל֧וּ וְנָפְלָ֖ה וְנָפְלָ֗ה וְנָפַ֔ל וְנָפַ֖ל וְנָפַ֣ל וְנָפַ֤ל וְנָפַ֥ל וְנָפַ֨ל וְנָפַלְתִּ֖י וְנָפָ֑לוּ וְנָפָֽלוּ׃ וְנֹפֵ֥ל וְתִפֹּ֤ל וַ֝יִּפֹּ֗ל וַ֭יַּפֵּל וַֽ֭יַּפִּילֵם וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ וַֽיִּפְּל֞וּ וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּ וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙ וַיִּפְּל֤וּ וַיִּפְּל֥וּ וַיִּפְּלוּ־ וַיִּפָּל־ וַיִּפֹּ֖ל וַיִּפֹּ֛ל וַיִּפֹּ֞ל וַיִּפֹּ֣ל וַיִּפֹּ֤ל וַיִּפֹּ֥ל וַיִּפֹּ֧ל וַיִּפֹּ֨ל וַיִּפֹּל֙ וַיִּפֹּל֩ וַיַּפִּ֙לוּ֙ וַיַּפִּ֜ילוּ וַיַּפִּ֨ילוּ וַיַּפִּילוּ֩ וַיַּפֵּ֥ל וַיַּפֵּל֩ וַתִּפֹּ֖ל וַתִּפֹּ֞ל וַתִּפֹּ֣ל וַתִּפֹּ֤ל וַתִּפֹּ֧ל וַתִּפֹּ֨ל וַתִּפֹּֽל׃ וַתִּפֹּל֙ וַתַּפֵּ֥ל וָֽאֶתְנַפַּ֞ל וָֽאֶתְנַפַּל֩ וָאֶפְּלָ֖ה וָאֶפְּלָ֨ה וָאֶפֹּ֖ל וָאֶפֹּ֣ל וָאֶפֹּ֨ל וּבְהַפִּֽילְכֶ֨ם וּלְהִתְנַפֵּ֣ל וּלְהַפִּ֣יל וּמִתְנַפֵּ֔ל וּמַפִּ֣יל וּנְפַלְתֶּ֖ם ואפל ואפלה ואתנפל ובהפילכם והנפלים והפיל והפילו והפלתי והפלתיו והפלתים ויפילו ויפילם ויפל ויפל־ ויפלו ויפלו־ ולהפיל ולהתנפל ולנפל ומפיל ומתנפל ונפילה ונפל ונפל־ ונפלה ונפלו ונפלו׃ ונפלל ונפלת ונפלתה ונפלתי ונפלתם ותפל ותפל׃ יִ֝פְּל֗וּ יִפְּל֑וּ יִפְּל֔וּ יִפְּל֖וּ יִפְּל֣וּ יִפְּל֥וּ יִפְּל֧וּ יִפְּל֨וּ יִפְּלוּ֙ יִפְּלוּ֮ יִפְּלוּ־ יִפָּל־ יִפֹּ֑ל יִפֹּ֑לוּ יִפֹּ֔לוּ יִפֹּ֖לוּ יִפֹּ֗לוּ יִפֹּ֛ל יִפֹּ֜ל יִפֹּ֞ל יִפֹּ֣ל יִפֹּ֤ל יִפֹּ֥ל יִפֹּ֨ל יִפֹּֽלוּ׃ יִפֹּל֙ יִפֹּל־ יִפּ֑וֹל יִפּ֔וֹל יִפּ֖וֹל יִפּ֣וֹל יִפּ֥וֹל יִפָּל־ יִפּֽוֹל׃ יַפִּ֑יל יַפִּ֔ילוּ יַפִּ֥ילוּ יַפִּילֽוּן׃ יַפִּלֵ֑ם יפול יפול׃ יפיל יפילו יפילון׃ יפל יפל־ יפלו יפלו־ יפלו׃ יפלם כְּשֶׁתִּפּ֥וֹל כִּנְפ֛וֹל כִּנְפֹ֤ל כנפול כנפל כשתפול לְ֭הַפִּיל לְהַפִּ֥יל לִנְפֹּ֑ל לִנְפֹּ֖ל לִנְפֹּ֣ל לִנְפֹּ֤ל להפיל לנפל מַפִּ֣יל מַפִּילִ֤ים מַפִּיל־ מפיל מפיל־ מפילים נִפְּלָה־ נִפְל֑וֹ נִפְל֥וּ נִפְלָ֔ם נָ֣פַל נָ֨פְלָה נָ֨פַל נָ֭פְלוּ נָֽפְלָה֙ נָֽפְלוּ֙ נָֽפְלוּ־ נָפ֥וֹל נָפְל֖וֹ נָפְל֖וּ נָפְל֣וּ נָפְל֥וּ נָפְל֨וּ נָפְלָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה נָפְלָ֤ה נָפְלָ֥ה נָפְלוּ֙ נָפַ֖ל נָפַ֖לְתִּי נָפַ֛ל נָפַ֞ל נָפַ֣ל נָפַ֤ל נָפַ֥ל נָפַ֥לְתָּ נָפַל֙ נָפַל֩ נָפָ֑ל נָפָ֑לְתָּ נָפָ֑לוּ נָפָ֔ל נָפָ֔לוּ נָפָ֖לוּ נָפָֽלָה׃ נָפָֽל׃ נָפָֽלוּ׃ נֹפְלִ֖ים נֹפְלִ֣ים נֹפְלִ֥ים נֹפֵ֔ל נֹפֵ֖ל נֹפֵ֣ל נֹפֵ֤ל נֹפֵ֥ל נֹפֵֽל׃ נֹפֵל֙ נֹפֶ֔לֶת נֹפֶ֙לֶת֙ נֹפֶ֥לֶת נוֹפֵ֣ל נופל נפול נפל נפל׃ נפלה נפלה־ נפלה׃ נפלו נפלו־ נפלו׃ נפלים נפלם נפלת נפלתי עַל־ על־ שֶׁיִּפּ֔וֹל שֶׁיִּפּ֥וֹל שָֽׁם׃ שיפול שם׃ תִּפָּל־ תִּפֹּ֑לְנָה תִּפֹּ֔לְנָה תִּפֹּ֔לוּ תִּפֹּ֤ל תִּפֹּ֨ל תִּפֹּֽלוּ׃ תִּפּ֑וֹל תִּפּ֔וֹל תִּפּ֖וֹל תִּפּ֗וֹל תִּפּֽוֹל׃ תִפֹּ֑ל תִפּ֑וֹל תַּפִּ֑ילוּ תַּפִּ֔ילוּ תַּפִּ֣יל תַּפִּ֣לוּ תַּפִּ֥ילוּ תַּפִּֽיל׃ תַּפֵּ֣ל תפול תפול׃ תפיל תפיל׃ תפילו תפל תפל־ תפלו תפלו׃ תפלנה ‘al- ’ap·pîl ’appîl ’ep·pə·lāh- ’ep·pō·lāh ’ep·pōl ’eppəlāh- ’eppōl ’eppōlāh al apPil ḇan·nō·p̄ə·lîm ḇannōp̄əlîm bin·p̄ōl binFol binp̄ōl eppelah epPol epPolah hă·ṯip·pōl hă·yip·pə·lū han·nō·p̄e·leṯ han·nō·p̄ə·lîm han·nō·p̄êl hannoFel hannoFelet hanNofeLim hannōp̄êl hannōp̄eleṯ hannōp̄əlîm hap·pi·le·hā hap·pî·lū happiLeha happilehā hapPilu happîlū hatipPol hăṯippōl hayippeLu hăyippəlū hip·pal·nū hip·pal·tām hip·pal·tî hip·pî·lāh hip·pî·lū hip·pî·lu·hū hip·pîl hipPalnu hippalnū hippalTam hippaltām hipPalti hippaltî hipPil hippîl hipPilah hippîlāh hipPilu hippîlū hippiLuhu hippîluhū hiṯ·nap·pā·lə·tî hiṯnappālətî hitnapPalti kə·šet·tip·pō·wl kəšettippōwl keshettipPol kin·p̄ō·wl kin·p̄ōl kinFol kinp̄ōl kinp̄ōwl lə·hap·pîl lehapPil ləhappîl lin·pōl linPol linpōl map·pî·lîm map·pîl map·pîl- mapPil mappîl mappîl- mappiLim mappîlîm nā·p̄ā·lāh nā·p̄ā·lə·tā nā·p̄ā·lū nā·p̄al nā·p̄āl nā·p̄al·tā nā·p̄al·tî nā·p̄ə·lāh nā·p̄ə·lōw nā·p̄ə·lū nā·p̄ə·lū- nā·p̄ō·wl naFal naFalah naFalta naFalti naFalu nafeLah nafeLo nafeLu naFol nāp̄al nāp̄āl nāp̄ālāh nāp̄ālətā nāp̄altā nāp̄altî nāp̄ālū nāp̄əlāh nāp̄əlōw nāp̄əlū nāp̄əlū- nāp̄ōwl nifLam nifLo nifLu nip̄·lām nip̄·lōw nip̄·lū nip·pə·lāh- nip̄lām nip̄lōw nip̄lū nippelah nippəlāh- nō·p̄e·leṯ nō·p̄ə·lîm nō·p̄êl nō·w·p̄êl noFel noFelet nofeLim nōp̄êl nōp̄eleṯ nōp̄əlîm nōwp̄êl šām še·yip·pō·wl šeyippōwl Sham sheiyipPol tap·pêl tap·pi·lū tap·pî·lū tap·pîl tapPel tappêl tapPil tappîl tapPilu tappilū tappîlū tip·pāl- tip·pō·lə·nāh tip·pō·lū tip·pō·wl ṯip·pō·wl tip·pōl ṯip·pōl tippāl- tipPol tippōl ṯippōl tipPolenah tippōlənāh tipPolu tippōlū tippōwl ṯippōwl ū·ḇə·hap·pî·lə·ḵem ū·lə·hap·pîl ū·lə·hiṯ·nap·pêl ū·map·pîl ū·miṯ·nap·pêl ū·nə·p̄al·tem ūḇəhappîləḵem ulehapPil ūləhappîl ulehitnapPel ūləhiṯnappêl umapPil ūmappîl umitnapPel ūmiṯnappêl unefalTem ūnəp̄altem uvhappileChem vaeppeLah vaepPol vaetnapPal vaiyapPel Vaiyappilem vaiyappiLu vaiyippeLu vaiyipPol vannofeLim vattapPel vattipPol vehanNofeLim vehippalTi vehippalTim vehippalTiv vehipPil vehippiLo vehipPilu velanPil venaFal veNafalta veNafalTah venafalTi venaFalu venafeLah venafeLu venafLu venapPilah venifLal venifLu venippeLah venoFel vetipPol veyipPol wā’eppəlāh wā’eppōl wā’eṯnappal wā·’ep·pə·lāh wā·’ep·pōl wā·’eṯ·nap·pal wat·tap·pêl wat·tip·pōl wattappêl wattippōl way·yap·pêl way·yap·pî·lêm way·yap·pi·lū way·yap·pî·lū way·yip·pāl- way·yip·pə·lū way·yip·pə·lū- way·yip·pōl wayyappêl wayyappîlêm wayyappilū wayyappîlū wayyippāl- wayyippəlū wayyippəlū- wayyippōl wə·han·nō·p̄ə·lîm wə·hip·pal·tî wə·hip·pal·tîm wə·hip·pal·tîw wə·hip·pî·lōw wə·hip·pî·lū wə·hip·pîl wə·lan·pil wə·nā·p̄ā·lū wə·nā·p̄al wə·nā·p̄al- wə·nā·p̄al·tā wə·nā·p̄al·tāh wə·nā·p̄al·tî wə·nā·p̄ə·lāh wə·nā·p̄ə·lū wə·nap·pî·lāh wə·nip̄·lal wə·nip̄·lū wə·nip·pə·lāh wə·nō·p̄êl wə·ṯip·pōl wə·yip·pōl wəhannōp̄əlîm wəhippaltî wəhippaltîm wəhippaltîw wəhippîl wəhippîlōw wəhippîlū wəlanpil wənāp̄al wənāp̄al- wənāp̄altā wənāp̄altāh wənāp̄altî wənāp̄ālū wənāp̄əlāh wənāp̄əlū wənappîlāh wənip̄lal wənip̄lū wənippəlāh wənōp̄êl wəṯippōl wəyippōl yap·pi·lêm yap·pî·lū yap·pî·lūn yap·pîl yapPil yappîl yappiLem yappilêm yapPilu yappîlū yappiLun yappîlūn yip·pāl- yip·pə·lū yip·pə·lū- yip·pō·lū yip·pō·wl yip·pōl yip·pōl- yippāl- yippeLu yippəlū yippəlū- yippol yippōl yippōl- yipPolu yippōlū yippōwlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts