Original Word: רַפְסֹדָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: raphcodah
Pronunciation: raf-so-DAH
Phonetic Spelling: (raf-so-daw')
KJV: flote
NASB: rafts
Word Origin: [from H7511 (רָפַס - foul)]

1. a raft (as flat on the water)

raft

From raphac; a raft (as flat on the water) -- flote.

see HEBREW raphac

Word Origin
from raphas
Definition
a raft
NASB Translation
rafts (1).

[רפְסֹדָה] noun [feminine] raft (etymology dubious; Late Hebrew once רַפְסוּרוֺת bench or stool on which feet rest); — plural רַפְסֹדוֺת2Chron 2:16 (late "" for דֹּבְרוֺת 1 Kings 5:23).

Biblical Setting

רַפְסֹדָה appears in 2 Chronicles 2:16, where King Hiram of Tyre promises Solomon, “We will cut logs from Lebanon, whatever you need, and we will float them in rafts by sea to Joppa; you can then take them up to Jerusalem”. The word designates the timber assemblages lashed together for maritime transport down the Phoenician coast, through the open waters south of Dor, and into the harbor at Joppa. From there the cedar trunks were hauled twenty-five miles uphill to Jerusalem for the construction of the temple and royal palace complex (1 Kings 5:8-10; 2 Chronicles 2:1-9).

Historical and Maritime Context

1. Ancient Near Eastern seafaring commonly relied on timber rafts for bulk cargo. The Phoenicians—renowned ship-builders—possessed both technology and skilled labor to fashion massive floats able to survive the Mediterranean swells without the need for a large fleet of cargo vessels.
2. The route from Lebanon to Joppa minimized overland hazards, reducing costs and breakage. Hiram’s cooperation reflects long-standing commercial treaties between Tyre and Israel (2 Samuel 5:11).
3. Archaeological parallels from Ugarit, Byblos, and Egyptian reliefs confirm the practice of binding logs with ropes of papyrus or date-palm fiber, steering with large oars, and controlling buoyancy by strategic spacing.

Engineering and Craftsmanship

• Construction: Cedars were felled, trimmed, and aligned side-by-side, cross-tied with smaller hardwood beams. Their natural oils resisted rot and marine borers.
• Navigation: The rafts were propelled by prevailing northwesterlies and guided by skilled pilots who rode atop the timber, a testament to both craftsmanship and courage.
• Disassembly: Upon arrival the cords were cut, and individual logs off-loaded for the trek to Jerusalem, where Phoenician artisans and Israelite laborers fashioned beams, paneling, and ornate carvings (1 Kings 6:9-18).

Economic and Diplomatic Significance

The single mention of רַפְסֹדָה opens a window onto an extensive international supply chain:
• Trade: Israel exported agricultural produce and provisions to Tyre (1 Kings 5:11; Ezekiel 27:17) in exchange for specialty materials.
• Treaty: The timber-for-grain agreement strengthened political alliances, providing peace on Israel’s northern border during the critical temple-building years.
• Workforce: The project mobilized thousands (2 Chronicles 2:17-18), illustrating how strategic cooperation amplifies national capacities for sacred objectives.

Theological Reflections

1. Providence in Logistics: The Lord who owns “the earth and its fullness” (Psalm 24:1) orchestrated foreign expertise and maritime technology so His house might be built “for the Name of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 2:4-6).
2. Unity of Jew and Gentile: Hiram, a Gentile king, becomes an instrument in advancing Israel’s worship, prefiguring the inclusion of the nations in God’s redemptive plan (Isaiah 60:5-13; Ephesians 2:11-22).
3. Stewardship: The careful management of natural resources—cedars harvested sustainably from Lebanon—models responsible dominion under the Creator.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Vision requires partnership: Modern ministry often depends on alliances that cross cultural or denominational lines.
• Excellence in craftsmanship honors God: The precision evident from forest to float to foundation encourages contemporary believers to offer skillful service in every vocation (Colossians 3:23).
• Logistics as worship: Administrative and supply-chain roles, though seemingly mundane, are integral to kingdom advancement.

Teaching and Preaching Points

1. Highlight Solomon’s reliance on outside help, challenging self-sufficiency in Christian service.
2. Use the imagery of logs bound into a single raft to illustrate the body of Christ: diverse members tied together by the Spirit, moving in unified mission.
3. Emphasize the upward journey from sea level at Joppa to the heights of Zion as a metaphor for spiritual ascent, demonstrating how God turns raw material into sanctified architecture.

Christological Connections

• Just as cedars journeyed via רַפְסֹדָה to become pillars in the temple, so the chosen Messiah traveled from glory to Golgotha, that believers might be built “as living stones” into a dwelling place for God (1 Peter 2:4-5).
• The raft’s single appearance anticipates the singular sufficiency of Christ’s once-for-all provision, ferrying sinners from the kingdom of darkness to the city of the great King.

Summary

Though mentioned only once, רַפְסֹדָה encapsulates a rich intersection of maritime ingenuity, international diplomacy, and covenantal purpose. The humble raft—borne by waves yet destined for the heights—stands as a silent witness to the God who leverages every craft, context, and culture for the glory of His dwelling among His people.

רַפְסֹד֖וֹת רפסדות rafsoDot rap̄·sō·ḏō·wṯ rap̄sōḏōwṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts