Original Word: רָפַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raphaq
Pronunciation: rah-fahk
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-fak')
KJV: lean
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to recline

lean

A primitive root; to recline -- lean.

[רָפַק] verb Hithpa`el support oneself, lean (Ethiopic reclinare, accumbere ad mensam; compare Arabic be Gentle, bind camel's arm to prevent going quickly; , Late Hebrew מַרְמַּק, Jewish-Aramaic מַרְמְּקָא, elbow); — Participle feminine מִתְרַמֶּקֶת Songs 8:5 (with עַל person).

רפשׂ see רפס. above

רפשׁ (√ of following; Late Hebrew רֶפֶשׂ = Biblical Hebrew; Schulth^71f. compare Arabic talk or act obscenely, and a Syriac slag, refuse (not in PS Brock and others)).

Biblical Setting

The single appearance of רָפַק occurs in Song of Songs 8:5, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?”. The verb paints a picture of the bride resting her full weight upon the bridegroom, depicting dependence, safety, and intimacy as the couple emerges from the desert into fruitful country.

Literary and Theological Significance

1. Covenant Rest. The wilderness motif recalls Israel’s journey with the LORD (Exodus 13–14; Deuteronomy 8). Just as the nation relied on divine provision, so the bride relies on her beloved. The word thus invites readers to see marital affection as a micro-picture of covenant faith.
2. From Barrenness to Fruitfulness. The movement “up from the wilderness” into an orchard setting (Song of Songs 8:5b) frames רָפַק as the pivot from scarcity to abundance. The leaning posture signals that abundance is enjoyed only in union and dependence.
3. Intimacy Without Shame. Earlier scenes show public misapprehension of the couple’s love (Song of Songs 5:7). Here, however, the bride clings openly. רָפַק captures the unashamed transparency anticipated in redeemed relationships (Genesis 2:25; Revelation 21:2).

Christological Foreshadowing

The Beloved in Song of Songs has long been received as a type of Christ. By resting upon Him, the bride prefigures New-Covenant trust:
• John “leaned back against Jesus’ chest” at the Last Supper (John 13:25).
• The Church is invited, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
• Believers are carried, “Underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

רָפַק therefore distills the believer’s posture of faith—ceasing from self-effort and relying wholly on the Beloved’s strength and guidance.

Historical Reception

Rabbinic commentators highlight the public nature of the bride’s reliance, viewing it as Israel’s pledge to keep covenant publicly. Early Christian writers such as Gregory of Nyssa saw the verse as the soul’s ascent with Christ, whose embrace empowers progress in holiness. Puritan expositors (e.g., John Gill) pressed the pastoral application: saints advance through life only as they “lean” on their Savior.

Devotional and Ministry Applications

• Counseling. רָפַק offers a biblical model for trust in relationships, urging spouses to cultivate mutual support grounded in the Lord.
• Worship. The term enriches corporate songs and prayers that celebrate Christ as both Bridegroom and sustaining strength (Psalm 18:1–2).
• Discipleship. Mentors can draw from Song of Songs 8:5 to teach dependence: progress in sanctification is not self-propelled but Spirit-supported (Galatians 5:25).
• Evangelism. The picture of leaning invites an unbelieving world to exchange self-reliance for the rest found in Jesus, echoing Song of Songs 8:5 with Matthew 11:28–30.

Related Biblical Motifs

• Supportive Embrace: “His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me” (Song of Songs 2:6).
• Rest in the Shepherd: “He makes me lie down in green pastures” (Psalm 23:2).
• Childlike Reliance: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).

Summary

Though רָפַק surfaces only once, the verb opens a window into the heart of biblical faith: the redeemed soul leaning on the Beloved after the wilderness wanderings of sin. It calls every believer, marriage, and congregation to abandon self-sufficiency and to find rest, progress, and fruitfulness in steadfast union with the Lord Jesus Christ.

מִתְרַפֶּ֖קֶת מתרפקת miṯ·rap·pe·qeṯ mitrapPeket miṯrappeqeṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts