Word

נָפַל

nâphal · H5307 · Hebrew · 434 occurrences

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Meanings

  1. to fall, to sink

    Process by which humans, animals, or objects move from a higher level to a lower level, typically at a high speed and without control

    Examples

    Genesis 14:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country.

    Genesis 49:17 “Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned viper in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that its rider falls backward.

    Exodus 21:33 “Now if someone opens a pit, or digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it,

  2. to let fall, to drop

    Causative process by which humans cause (other) humans and objects to move from a higher level to a lower level, typically at a high speed and without control

    Examples

    Exodus 21:27 “And if he knocks out a tooth of his male or female slave, he shall let the slave go free on account of the tooth.

    Numbers 35:23 or had any deadly stone, and without looking he dropped it on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor was he seeking to harm him,

    2 Kings 3:19 ‘Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and cut down every good tree and stop up all the springs of water, and spoil every good plot of land with stones.’”

  3. to burst through

    Meaning unsure; possibly: action by which a swarm of insects moves forward heedless of whatever opposition comes their way

    Examples

    Joel 2:8 They do not crowd each other, Every warrior of them marches in his path; When they burst through the defenses, They do not break ranks.

  4. to lose courage

    Literally: (one's) heart falls; hence: process by which humans lose courage

    Examples

    1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, “May no one’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!”

  5. to look angry

    Literally: (one's) face falls; hence: process when humans become angry and show that with their facial expression

    Examples

    Genesis 4:5 but for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his face was gloomy.

    Genesis 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your face gloomy?

  6. to look in anger

    Literally: to cause (one's) face to fall; hence: action when deities show their anger by their facial expression

    Examples

    Jeremiah 3:12 “Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not look at you in anger. For I am gracious,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not be angry forever.

  7. Literally: to fall (on someone); hence: process by which humans are held responsible for a certain action, whether in the past or in the future (to land (on someone))

    Examples

    Psalm 69:9 For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on me.

  8. to be born

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which humans are brought forth from the womb

    Examples

    Isaiah 26:18 We were pregnant, we writhed in labor, We gave birth, as it seems, only to wind. We could not accomplish deliverance for the earth, Nor were inhabitants of the world born.

  9. to give birth

    Literally: to drop; hence: causative process by which humans bring forth children from the womb

    Examples

    Isaiah 26:19 Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.

  10. Literally: to fall into the hand(s) of someone; hence: process by which humans or nations fall under someone else's authority and control (to fall into (someone's) hands)

    Examples

    Judges 15:18 Then he became very thirsty, and he called to the LORD and said, “You have handed this great victory over to Your servant, and now am I to die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?”

    2 Samuel 24:14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are great; but do not let me fall into human hands.”

    1 Chronicles 5:10 In the days of Saul they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand, so that they occupied their tents throughout the land east of Gilead.

  11. Literally: to fall upon (one's) sword; hence: action by which humans kill themselves with their own sword (to throw oneself (on one's sword))

    Examples

    1 Samuel 31:4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised Philistines will come and pierce me through, and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was unwilling, because he was very fearful. So Saul took his sword and fell on it.

    1 Samuel 31:5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.

    1 Chronicles 10:4 Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised Philistines will come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

  12. to desert

    Literally: to fall; hence: action by which humans leave the group to which they belong and join another group, which is often seen as the enemy

    Examples

    1 Samuel 29:3 Then the commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found nothing at all suspicious in him since the day he deserted to me to this day?”

    2 Kings 7:4 “If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ then the famine is in the city and we will die there; but if we sit here, we will also die. Now then come, and let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, then we will die.”

    2 Kings 25:11 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguards, led into exile the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the people.

  13. Literally: to fall; hence: process by which humans become suddenly involved in a certain difficult situation (to fall into (trouble))

    Examples

    Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falls into adversity, But a faithful messenger brings healing.

    Proverbs 17:20 One who has a crooked mind finds nothing good, And one who is corrupted in his language falls into evil.

    Proverbs 28:14 How blessed is the person who fears always, But one who hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

  14. to cease

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which certain activity comes to an end

    Examples

    Isaiah 16:9 Therefore I will weep bitterly for Jazer, for the vine of Sibmah; I will drench you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh; For the shouting over your summer fruits and your harvest has fallen away.

  15. to give up, to leave out

    Literally: to let fall; hence: action by which humans refrain from engaging in a certain activity

    Examples

    Judges 2:19 But it came about, when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their obstinate ways.

    Esther 6:10 Then the king said to Haman, “Quickly, take the robe and the horse just as you have said, and do so for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the king’s gate; do not fail to do anything of all that you have said.”

  16. to become void

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which a set of past activities becomes invalid and will have to be repeated

    Examples

    Numbers 6:12 and shall live his days of consecration as a Nazirite for the LORD, and shall bring a male lamb a year old as a guilt offering; but the preceding days will not count, because his consecration was defiled.

  17. to fail

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which someone's promises do not have become a reality

    Examples

    Joshua 21:45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; everything came to pass.

    Joshua 23:14 “Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; they all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.

    1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel in accordance with everything that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.

  18. to cause to fail

    Literally: to cause to fall; hence: causative process by which deities cause their promises not to become a reality

    Examples

    1 Samuel 3:19 Now Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of his words fail.

  19. to attack

    Literally: to fall upon; action by which humans start a fight with other humans

    Examples

    Genesis 43:18 Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, so that he may attack us and overpower us, and take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

    Joshua 11:7 So Joshua and all the people of war with him came upon them suddenly at the waters of Merom, and attacked them.

    Job 1:15 and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

  20. to fall, to come down

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which a certain event starts happening

    Examples

    Isaiah 9:8 The Lord sends a message against Jacob, And it falls on Israel.

  21. to turn out

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which a situation develops in a certain way

    Examples

    Ruth 3:18 Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

  22. to happen

    Literally: to fall (upon someone); hence: process by which humans are affected by a certain condition, emotion, or supernatural influence

    Examples

    Genesis 15:12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.

    Exodus 15:16 “Terror and dread fall upon them; By the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone, Until Your people pass over, LORD, Until the people pass over whom You have purchased.

    Joshua 2:9 and said to the men, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have despaired because of you.

  23. to cause to happen

    Literally: to cause to fall (upon someone); hence: causative process by which deities or certain attitudes cause humans to be affected by a certain condition or emotion

    Examples

    Genesis 2:21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.

    Proverbs 19:15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And a lazy person will suffer hunger.

    Jeremiah 15:8 “Their widows will be more numerous before Me Than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, against the mother of a young man, A destroyer at noon; I will suddenly bring down on her Shock and horror.

  24. to embrace

    Literally: to fall on (someone's) neck; hence: action by which humans spontaneously embrace other humans

    Examples

    Genesis 33:4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

    Genesis 45:14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck.

    Genesis 46:29 And Joseph prepared his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; as soon as he appeared to him, Joseph threw himself on his neck and wept on his neck a long time.

  25. to embrace

    Literally: to fall on (someone's) face; hence: action by which humans spontaneously embrace other humans

    Examples

    Genesis 50:1 Then Joseph fell on his father’s face, and wept over him and kissed him.

  26. to collapse

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which a structure loses its inner strength and falls apart

    Examples

    Joshua 6:5 “It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight ahead.”

    Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, everyone straight ahead, and they took the city.

    Judges 7:13 When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. And he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent collapsed.”

  27. to cause to collapse

    Literally: to cause to fall; hence: causative process by which humans cause a structure to lose its inner strength and fall apart

    Examples

    2 Samuel 20:15 And they came and besieged him in Abel Beth-maacah, and they built up an assault ramp against the city, and it stood against the outer rampart; and all the people who were with Joab were wreaking destruction in order to topple the wall.

  28. to be unable to bear children

    Exact meaning unsure; literally: (one's) thigh sags; hence: process by which a woman becomes unable to bear children

    Examples

    Numbers 5:21 (then the priest shall have the woman swear with the oath of the curse, and the priest shall say to the woman), “may the LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people by the LORD’S making your thigh shriveled and your belly swollen;

    Numbers 5:27 ‘When he has made her drink the water, then it will come about, if she has defiled herself and has been unfaithful to her husband, that the water which brings a curse will go into her and cause bitterness, and her belly will swell up and her thigh will shrivel, and the woman will become a curse among her people.

  29. to make unable to bear children

    Exact meaning unsure; literally: to cause (someone's) thigh to sag; hence: causative process by which deities cause a woman to be unable to bear children

    Examples

    Numbers 5:22 and this water that brings a curse shall go into your stomach, to make your belly swell up and your thigh shrivel.” And the woman shall say, “Amen, Amen.”

  30. Literally: to fall (before someone); hence: process by which information reaches someone in authority (to come (before someone))

    Examples

    Jeremiah 36:7 “Perhaps their pleading will come before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way; for great is the anger and the wrath that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”

    Jeremiah 37:20 “But now, please listen, my lord the king; please let my plea come before you and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, so that I will not die there.”

    Jeremiah 42:2 and said to Jeremiah the prophet, “Please let our pleading come before you, and pray for us to the LORD your God for all this remnant—since we have been left only a few out of many, just as your own eyes now see us—

  31. to present

    Literally: to cause to fall (before someone); hence: causative process by humans cause information to reach someone in authority

    Examples

    Jeremiah 38:26 then you are to say to them, ‘I was presenting my plea before the king, not to make me return to the house of Jonathan to die there.’”

    Jeremiah 42:9 and said to them, “This is what the LORD says, the God of Israel, to whom you sent me to present your plea before Him:

    Daniel 9:18 “My God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our pleas before You based on any merits of our own, but based on Your great compassion.

  32. Literally: to fall (to someone); hence: process by which land becomes someone's property (to be assigned (to someone))

    Examples

    Numbers 34:2 “Command the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance, that is, the land of Canaan according to its borders.

    Joshua 17:5 So ten portions fell to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is beyond the Jordan,

    Judges 18:1 In those days there was no king of Israel; and in those days the tribe of the Danites was seeking an inheritance for themselves to live in, for until that day an inheritance had not been allotted to them as a possession among the tribes of Israel.

  33. to allot

    Literally: to cause (something) to fall (to someone); hence: causative process by which humans or deities cause land to become someone else's property

    Examples

    Joshua 13:6 “All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians, I will drive out from the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel as an inheritance as I have commanded you.

    Joshua 23:4 “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have eliminated, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the west.

    Psalm 78:55 He also drove out the nations from them And apportioned them as an inheritance by measurement, And had the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents.

  34. Literally: the lot falls (on someone); hence: process by which humans receive guidance by throwing lots (the lot falls (on someone))

    Examples

    1 Chronicles 26:14 The lot to the east fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a counselor with insight, and his lot came out to the north.

    Jonah 1:7 And each man said to his mate, “Come, let’s cast lots so that we may find out on whose account this catastrophe has struck us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah.

  35. Literally: to let lots fall; hence: causative action by which humans obtain guidance by throwing lots (to cast (lots))

    Examples

    1 Samuel 14:42 Then Saul said, “Cast lots between me and my son Jonathan.” And Jonathan was selected by lot.

    1 Chronicles 24:31 These also cast lots just as their relatives, the sons of Aaron did in the presence of David the king, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the priests and of the Levites—the head of fathers’ households as well as those of his younger brother.

    1 Chronicles 25:8 They cast lots for their duties, all alike, the small as well as the great, the teacher as well as the pupil.

  36. to be inferior, to become inferior

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which people lose some of their status

    Examples

    Nehemiah 6:16 When all our enemies heard about it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they realized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

    Job 12:3 “But I have intelligence as well as you; I am not inferior to you. And who does not know such things as these?

    Job 13:2 “What you know I also know; I am not inferior to you.

  37. to stumble, to fall

    Process by which humans or animals lose their balance while walking or standing and end up flat on the ground; associated with failure and loss of face

    Examples

    Deuteronomy 22:4 “You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the road, and avoid them; you shall certainly help him raise them up.

    Judges 19:26 As the day began to dawn, the woman came and fell down at the doorway of the man’s house where her master was, until full daylight.

    1 Samuel 4:18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for he was old and heavy. And so he judged Israel for forty years.

  38. to lie

    State in which humans lie flat on the ground, after having been killed or severely wounded by enemies

    Examples

    Deuteronomy 21:1 “If a person who has been killed by someone is found lying in the open country in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who struck him,

    Judges 3:25 So they waited until it would have been shameful to wait longer; but behold, he did not open the doors of the roof chamber. So they took the key and opened them, and behold, their master had fallen to the floor dead.

    Judges 4:22 And behold, while Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he entered with her, and behold, Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple.

  39. to fall

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which humans are killed or severely wounded by enemies

    Examples

    Exodus 32:28 So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

    Leviticus 26:7 ‘Instead, you will chase your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword;

    Leviticus 26:8 five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; and your enemies will fall before you by the sword.

  40. to make fall

    Literally: to cause to fall; hence: causative process or action by which humans or deities cause (other) humans to be killed or severely wounded by enemies

    Examples

    1 Samuel 18:25 Saul then said, “This is what you shall say to David: ‘The king does not desire any dowry except a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king’s enemies.’” But Saul plotted to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

    2 Kings 19:7 “Behold, I am going to put a spirit in him so that he will hear news and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

    2 Chronicles 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed every warrior, commander, and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with the sword.

  41. to alight, to dismount

    Literally: to fall; hence: action by which humans let themselves slide from the back of a riding animal

    Examples

    Genesis 24:64 Rebekah raised her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel.

    2 Kings 5:21 So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw someone running after him, he came down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is everything well?”

  42. to cause to lie down

    Causative action by which humans cause other humans to assume a lying position

    Examples

    Deuteronomy 25:2 then it shall be if the wicked person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and have him beaten in his presence with the number of lashes according to his wrongful act.

  43. to lie down

    Action by which humans assume a lying position, often in order to show respect, allegiance, or devotion

    Examples

    Genesis 17:3 Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

    Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man a hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth to a child?”

    Genesis 44:14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell down to the ground before him.

  44. to perish

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which humans die in a violent way

    Examples

    Exodus 19:21 Then the LORD spoke to Moses: “Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to stare, and many of them perish.

    2 Samuel 21:9 Then he handed them over to the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the mountain before the LORD, so that the seven of them fell together; and they were put to death in the first days of harvest at the beginning of barley harvest.

    Psalm 82:7 “Nevertheless you will die like men, And fall like one of the princes.”

  45. to encamp, to settle

    Literally: to lie; hence: state in which a group of people are temporarily residing in a certain place

    Examples

    Genesis 25:18 They settled from Havilah to Shur which is east of Egypt going toward Assyria; he settled in defiance of all his relatives.

    Judges 7:12 Now the Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the people of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.

  46. to fall

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which an individual or nation loses power, prosperity or status

    Examples

    2 Kings 14:10 “You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart is elated. Enjoy the glory and stay home; for why should you get involved in trouble so that you would fall, you and Judah with you?”

    2 Chronicles 25:19 “You said, ‘Behold, you have defeated Edom.’ And your heart has lifted you up in boasting. Now stay home; why should you provoke trouble so that you, would fall, you and Judah with you?”

    Esther 6:13 And Haman informed Zeresh his wife and all his friends of everything that had happened to him. Then his wise men and Zeresh his wife said to him, “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, is of Jewish origin, you will not prevail over him, but will certainly fall before him.”

  47. to become weak, to become limp

    Literally: to fall; hence: process by which someone's arms lose their strength, which is a symbol for their political and military strength

    Examples

    Ezekiel 30:25 ‘So I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, but the arms of Pharaoh will fail. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I put My sword into the hand of the king of Babylon and he reaches out with it against the land of Egypt.

  48. Literally: to fall on a bed; hence: process by which humans become sick or wounded and are confined to their bed (to take to (one's) bed, to be confined to bed)

    Examples

    Exodus 21:18 “Now if people have a quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with a fist, and he does not die but is confined to bed,

  49. to reject

    Exact meaning unknown; literally: to let fall; hence: state in which humans are unappreciative of something

    Examples

    Job 29:24 “I smiled at them when they did not believe, And they did not look at my kindness ungraciously.

How it’s used In 11 roles

Every occurrence, grouped by the words it is grammatically related to.

the word studied the word it goes with

Who or what does itSubject

418 occurrences in 155 groups

What it acts on, or what is saidObject

52 occurrences in 30 groups

With prepositionsPrepositional phrases

291 occurrences in 154 groups

With adverbsAdverbs

45 occurrences in 12 groups

Words describing itAdjectives, demonstratives, participles

3 occurrences in 1 groups

Named alongside itApposition

3 occurrences in 2 groups

What it doesIt is the subject

4 occurrences in 3 groups

What is done to itIt is the object

13 occurrences in 5 groups

Second object ofSecond object

1 occurrences in 1 groups

What it is said to bePredicate

1 occurrences in 1 groups

After prepositionsPrepositional phrases

18 occurrences in 4 groups

When two words share a role, as in “Paul and Barnabas said”, the verse appears under each, so a section’s counts can add up to more than the number of occurrences.

MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.

Near synonyms 2 words
כָּרַע kâraʻ · H3766 · to collapse, to slump down, to kneel
Both terms show substantial semantic overlap in the sense of postural lowering, falling, or bowing — distinct Hebrew roots that can substitute for each other in contexts of lowering one's posture or falling down.
דָּלַל dâlal · H1809 · to become low, to dwindle, to grow weak
דָּלַל (dâlal, H1809) emphasizes failure through depletion, diminishment, or impoverishment (8×); נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) emphasizes failure as collapse or downfall, rooted in physical falling (434×).
In the other Testament 5 words
πίπτω píptō · G4098 · to fall, to fall down
πίπτω is the standard Greek equivalent for נָפַל in contexts of literal falling, falling down in worship or defeat, and metaphorical falling — failing, dying, being cast down.
ἐκπίπτω ekpíptō · G1601 · to fall, to fall from, to fall off
Greek ἐκπίπτω emphasizes the outward motion or expulsion aspect of falling (ἐκ- 'out'), often denoting being driven out, dropping away, or falling from a position, whereas Hebrew נָפַל covers the broader semantic range of falling including collapse, death, casting lots, and general downward motion without the specific 'outward/away' orientation.
ἐπιπίπτω epipíptō · G1968 · to press against, to push against, to happen to
ἐπιπίπτω (epipíptō, G1968) ἐπιπίπτω specifically denotes falling upon or coming down onto something/someone (often with suddenness or force), whereas נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) נָפַל covers the broader semantic range of falling in general, including simple collapse, casting down, or ceasing; the Greek term is thus a narrower, intensified subset focused on the directional/contact aspect of falling.
προσπίπτω prospíptō · G4363 · to prostrate oneself before, to fall down before, to strike against
Greek προσπίπτω specifies directional falling (towards someone/something) with implications of prostration or supplication, whereas Hebrew נָפַל covers the broader semantic range of falling in any direction or manner; προσπίπτω represents a specialized subset focused on falling-toward-as-prostration.
βάλλω bállō · G906 · to throw, to let fall, to drop
βάλλω (bállō, G906) serves as the Greek rendering for the 'cast/throw down' semantic subset of נָפַל (nâphal, H5307), capturing the causative or violent motion aspects of falling, whereas נָפַל (nâphal, H5307)'s semantic range encompasses both intransitive falling (natural collapse, dying) and causative casting that βάλλω (bállō, G906) specifically translates in alignment contexts.
Semantic domains 25 entries
Move002002001012
The word is the standard verb for falling, as a deep sleep falls upon Adam (Genesis 2:21) and terror and darkness fall upon Abram (Genesis 15:12), tying the word to a downward change of position.
Afraid002001002001
This entry carries no independent “Afraid” sense of its own; every tagged occurrence is the verb “fall”, as in “Also anything on which one of them may fall when they are dead becomes unclean” (Leviticus 11:32). The “Afraid” domain is bundle-shared with the related lexeme נְפַל (nᵉphal, H5308) rather than independently attested here.
Angry002001002002
The word describes a person's countenance falling in anger or gloom, as Cain's face falls when his offering is not regarded (Genesis 4:5-6), tying the word to a visible expression of displeasure.
Bear002003003003
This entry carries no independent "Bear" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences of נָפַל (e.g. Genesis 15:12, Numbers 14:3) concern falling, not bearing. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Birth002002002003
This entry carries no independent “Birth” sense of its own; every tagged occurrence is the verb “fall”. The “Birth” domain is bundle-shared with the related lexeme נְפַל (nᵉphal, H5308) rather than independently attested here.
Control002003002007
This entry carries no independent "Control" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not exercising control. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Dead002001001018
This entry carries no independent “Dead” sense of its own; every tagged occurrence is the verb “fall”, though a fall can of course result in death in a given narrative context. The “Dead” domain is bundle-shared with the related lexeme נְפַל (nᵉphal, H5308) rather than independently attested here.
Dissociate002003002009
This entry carries no independent "Dissociate" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not dissociation. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Engage002003003011
This entry carries no independent "Engage" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not engagement. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Non-Engage002003003012
This entry carries no independent "Non-Engage" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not disengagement. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Fail002003003013
The word is used of something failing or coming to nothing, as when not one of God's good promises falls short (Joshua 21:45), a broader sense of failure than physical falling.
Conflict002003002006
נָפַל describes falling in battle or conflict, illustrated at Numbers 14:3 ("why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword") and 1 Samuel 31:4 ("Saul took his sword and fell on it").
Happen002002003003
This entry carries no independent "Happen" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not events coming to pass. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Hold002003001009
This entry carries no independent "Hold" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not holding. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Impact002001001024
נָפַל describes something falling upon a person with sudden force or impact, illustrated at Genesis 15:12 ("a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him") and Ezekiel 30:6 ("they will fall within her by the sword").
Unable002001001065
This entry carries no independent "Unable" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not inability. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Know002004002007
This entry carries no independent "Know" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not knowledge. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Possess002003002019
נָפַל describes a portion or inheritance falling to someone, an allotment, illustrated at Numbers 34:2 ("this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance").
Insignificant002001002015
This entry carries no independent "Insignificant" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not insignificance. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Stance002001001061
נָפַל describes falling prostrate, a posture of submission or entreaty, illustrated at Genesis 17:3 ("Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him") and Numbers 16:22 ("they fell on their faces and said, 'God, the God of the spirits of humanity...'").
Bow002001001008
This entry carries no independent "Bow" sense of its own distinct from the falling-prostrate sense already illustrated; the genuine tagged occurrences (e.g. Genesis 17:3, Numbers 16:22) concern falling on one's face, and the domain is bundle-shared with that sense.
Dwell002002001005
This entry carries no independent "Dwell" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not dwelling. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Unsafe002003003022
The word describes falling into danger, a pit, or calamity, tying the word to a hazardous outcome, as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fall into the tar pits fleeing battle (Genesis 14:10).
Weak002001001069
נָפַל describes weakness or failing strength, illustrated at 1 Samuel 17:32 ("may no one's heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine").
Unwilling002001002031
This entry carries no independent "Unwilling" sense of its own distinct from ordinary falling; the genuine tagged occurrences concern falling, not unwillingness. The domain is bundle-shared with the lexeme's own broader sense range.
Word family 7 words
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon H5307. naphal נָפַל433 verb fall, lie (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, נְפַל ᵑ7, Syriac ;…
H5307. naphal
נָפַל433 verb fall, lie (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, נְפַל ᵑ7, Syriac ; compare also Arabic dedit praedam (NöZMG xl (1886), 725 Frä153f.), Minaean נפל remove HomSudar. Chrest. 128); —
Qal366 Perfect ׳נ Jdg 5:27 +, 3 feminine singular נָָֽפְלָה Gen 15:12 +, etc.; Imperfect יִמֹּל 1Sa 14:45 +, וַיִּמֹּל Jdg 4:16 +; 1 singular אֶמֹּל 1Ch 21:13 (needless change from 1 plural נִמְּלָה || 2Sa 24:14 We Dr); 3 masculine plural יִמְּלוּ Hos 7:16 +, יִמֹּ֑לוּ Isa 3:25 +, 3 feminine plural תִּמֹּ֫לְנָה Eze 13:11; Eze 30:25, etc.; Imperative masculine plural נִפְלוּ Hos 10:8; Jer 25:27; Infinitive absolute נָפוֺל Est 6:13; construct נְפֹל Isa 30:25 +; לִנְמֹּל Jer 51:49 +; suffix נָפְלוֺ 1Sa 29:3, נִפְלוֺ 2Sa 1:10, נִפְלָם Jer 49:21 (on these forms compare BaNB 104); Participle נֹפֵל Jdg 4:22 +; feminine נֹפֶ֫לֶת Gen 15:12 +; plural נֹפְלִים Jos 8:25 + (insert also 1Sa 28:19b ᵐ5 Th We Dr Kit Bu HPS; Klo כֹּרְעִים), etc.; —
1 fall, by accident, שָֿׁ֫מָּה׳וְנ Exo 21:33 (E) and there fall into it (a pit) an ox or an ass, compare Deu 22:4 (בַּדֶּרֶךְ, on the way),bird עַלמַּֿח Amo 3:5; subject person, 1Sa 4:18 (from seat, מֵעַל), Deu 22:8 (twice in verse) (from roof, מִן); often into (ב) pit (usually figurative) Pro 26:27; Pro 28:10, also (absolute), Pro 22:14, Ecc 10:8; Psa 7:16; Psa 57:7 (בְּתוֺךְ), compare Psa 35:8; Psa 141:10 (net), also, with אֶל, Isa 24:18 = Jer 48:44; fall יַמִּים בְּלֵב Ezekiel 25:27; opposed to קוּם Jer 8:4 compare Ecc 4:10 (twice in verse); with אָחוֺר fall backward Gen 49:17 (poem); with בְּעַד through 2Ki 1:2 compare (of locusts) Joe 2:8; ׳נ עַלחֶֿרֶב causing death 1Sa 31:4-5, = 1Ch 10:4-5, ׳נ אַ֫רְצָה עַלמָּֿנָיו 1Sa 17:49 (Goliath); subject thing, 2Ki 2:13-14, (מֵעַל), 2Ki 6:5 (אֶלֿ into water), 2Ki 6:6 (absolute); with עַל Lev 11:32, Lev 11:35, Lev 11:37, Lev 11:38, אֶלֿ Lev 11:33; absolute of tent Jdg 7:13 + Jdg 7:13 (gloss, GFM, Bu); of wall Jos 6:5 (JE), Jer 51:44, figurative Eze 13:11 (strike out ᵑ6 ᵐ5 Sm Co Berthol), Eze 13:12; Eze 13:14, לְאֶרֶץ Eze 38:20; + תַּחְתֶּיהָ i.e. flat Jos 6:20; ׳נ of bricks Isa 9:9 (in figurative), מֶּרֶץ Isa 30:13; towes Isa 30:25, foundations Jer 50:15; wall fell upon (על) 1Ki 20:30, so of house Jdg 16:30; Job 1:19, mountains Hos 10:8; mountain also absolute Job 14:18 (compare נָבֵל), height Eze 38:20; tree Ecc 11:3 (twice in verse) (ב location), compare Isa 10:34 (בְ instrumental, in figure), Zec 11:2 (absolute); branches Eze 31:12 (figurative); a grain Amo 9:9 (אֶרֶץ = to earth); of dew 2Sa 17:12 (with על), hailstones Eze 13:11; blood (אַ֫רְצָה) 1Sa 26:20; hair of head (ארצה) 1Sa 14:45; 2Sa 14:11; 1Ki 1:52; horns of altar Amo 3:14 (לָאָרֶץ); peg Isa 22:25; fruit עַלמֶּֿה Nah 3:12; crown Lam 5:16; arm from (מִן) shoulder Job 31:22; of sword (apparently) 2Sa 20:8 (but on text see Commentaries); fire from heaven, absolute 1Ki 18:38 with מִן Job 1:16 ; hand of ׳י Eze 8:1 (with עַלֿ; but read ᵐ5 וַתְּהִי Co Berthol); spirit of ׳י Eze 11:5 (עַלֿ); of lot (גּוֺרָל) Eze 24:6; Jon 1:7 (both with עַל), 1Ch 26:14 (with לְ; || יָצָא), + Est 3:7 ᵐ5 Ry Wild (עַל); compare Hiph`il 3; hence (of share, inheritance) fall, be allotted, to (לְ) Jdg 18:1 (ב = as: בְּ 17c; so Num 34:2; Eze 47:14), Psa 16:6, absolute Jos 17:5. — On Eze 47:22b see Hiph`il 3.
2. a. Especially of violent death (c. 96 t.), Jdg 5:27 (3 t. in verse) (+ שָׁדוּד), 1Sa 4:10; 1Sa 14:13; 2Sa 11:17; 2Sa 21:9; 1Ki 22:20 2Ch 18:9, etc.; + וַיָּמָת, etc.; 2Sa 1:4; 2Sa 2:23 (twice in verse); ׳נ חָלָל fall pierced (fatally) Jdg 9:40; 1Sa 17:52; 1Sa 31:1 = 1Ch 10:1 +; חֶרֶב חַלְלֵי Eze 35:8; compare חֲלָלִים בְּתוֺח Eze 32:20; ׳נ הֲרוּגִים תַּחַת Isa 10:4; ׳נ מְּגָרִים corpses fall Jer 9:21; Num 14:29 (P), Num 14:32 (JE); by the sword, בַּחֶרֶב Amo 7:17; Hos 7:16; Hos 14:1; Isa 3:25; 2Sa 1:12; Eze 5:12; Eze 6:11; Num 14:3, Num 14:43 (JE), (+ בַּדֶּבֶר בָּרָעָב,), etc.; ׳נ חֶרֶב לְפִי Jos 8:24 (JE), Jdg 4:16 ; בְּיַד by the hand of 2Sa 21:22; 2Sa 24:14 (twice in verse) = 1Ch 21:13 (twice in verse), 1Ch 5:10; 1Ch 20:8 ; ׳נ רגליִ תַּחַת fall under my feet 2Sa 22:39 = Psa 18:39.
b. figurative = go to ruin, perish, etc. (c. 30 t.); Amo 5:2; Amo 8:14 +; often || כָּשַׁל Isa 3:8; Isa 8:15 (+ other words), Isa 31:3; Jer 8:12; Jer 46:12; Jer 50:32; Psa 27:2; Pro 24:17; || כָּרַע Psa 20:9; figurative of earth Isa 24:20 (opposed to קוּם), Haman falls before (לִפְנֵי) Mordecai Est 6:13 (twice in verse); compare Isa 14:12 (absolute); peculiar to Prov are ׳נ בְּרִשְׁעָה Pro 11:5, בְּרַע Pro 13:17, בְּרָעָה Pro 17:20; Pro 28:14.
c. figurative = experience calamity Mic 7:8 (opposed to קוּם), Psa 37:34; Psa 145:14; Pro 24:16.
d. fall, of a city Jer 51:8 (|| וַתִּשָּׁבֵר).
3. a. Fall prostrate, Jdg 19:26-27, + אַ֫רְצָה Job 1:20; fall at full length (in a faint) קוֺמָתוֺ מְלֹאֿ וַיִּמֹּל 1Sa 28:20; sink down Num 24:4, Num 24:16 (J E; supernatural influence); of arms of Pharaoh Eze 30:25 (opposed to חָזַק).
b. fall = prostrate oneself before (לִפְנֵי) man Gen 50:18 (E), 2Sa 19:19; Gen 44:14 (J; + אַ֫רְצָה); before ׳י2Ch 20:18; ׳נ אַ֫רְצָה אֶלמָּֿנָיו before ׳י or his representative Jos 5:14; Jos 7:6 (both J E); also (ארצה omitted) Eze 43:3; Eze 44:4; before man 2Sa 14:22; more often ׳נ עַלמָּֿנָיו, before man 2Sa 9:6; 1Ki 18:7, 1Ki 18:39; Rth 2:10, before ׳י Gen 17:3, Gen 17:17 Gen 17:6t. P, Eze 3:23; Eze 9:8; Eze 11:13; 1Ch 21:16; Dan 8:17; + אַ֫רְפָה, before man 2Sa 14:4, before ׳י Jdg 13:20; אַ֫רְצָה לְאַמָּיו 1Sa 20:41, עַלמָּֿנֶיהָ דָוִד לְאַמֵּי 1Sa 25:23, ׳נ ארצה 2Sa 1:2 (all before man); ׳נ עַלרַֿגְלָיו fall at one's feet 1Sa 25:24; 2Ki 4:37, ר ׳לִפְנֵי Est 8:3. See synonym below קדד.
c. fall upon (עַל) one's neck, in embrace Gen 33:4; Gen 46:29 (both J), Gen 45:14 (E), אָבִיו עַלמְּֿנֵי Gen 50:1 (J).
4. a. Fall upon (עַל) = attack Jer 48:32 (figurative), compare Isa 16:9; with בְּ Jos 11:7 (D), absolute Job 1:15; ׳נ אֶלרֵֿעֵהוּ אִישׁ Jer 46:16.
b. desert or fall away to, go over to, with עַלֿ 2Ki 25:11 (twice in verse) = Jer 52:15 (twice in verse), Jer 21:9; Jer 37:14; Jer 39:9; 1Ch 12:20; 1Ch 12:21 (twice in verse) (van d. H. v.1Ch 12:19; v.1Ch 12:20; v.1Ch 12:20), 2Ch 15:9, with אֶלֿ 2Ki 7:4; Jer 37:13; Jer 38:19, absolute 1Sa 29:3; Jer 39:9.
c. ׳נ בְּיַד fall into the hand (power) of Jdg 15:18; Lam 1:7: — compare also 2. a. above
5 Figurative, of deep sleep, with עַל Gen 15:12 (J), 1Sa 26:12; Job 4:13; Job 33:15; face, countenance (in displeasure) Gen 4:5-6, (J); ׳נ עָלָיו אָדָם לֵב 1Sa 17:32 (of sinking heart); בְעֵינֵיהֶם וַיִּמְּלוּ) Neh 6:16 and they were cast down in their (own) eyes (compare BeRy, Ryle); of calamity followed by עַלֿ Isa 47:11; Ecc 9:12; terror, etc., followed by עַלֿ Gen 15:12 (J), Jos 2:9 (JE), Exo 15:16 (song), 1Sa 11:7; Job 13:11; Psa 55:5; Psa 105:38; Est 8:17; Est 9:2-3, Dan 10:7; reproach, followed by עַלֿ Psa 69:10; = fail to be accomplished Jos 21:43; Jos 23:14 (twice in verse) (all D), 1Ki 8:56; 2Ki 10:10 (+ אַ֫רְצָה); = not to be reckoned Num 6:12 (P); of word (דָּבָר) falling into (ב) Israel Isa 9:7; = fall out, turn out, result Rth 3:18 (subject דָּבָר).
6 Other idiomatic uses are: ׳נ לְמִשְׁכָּב take to one's bed Exo 21:18 (E); settle Gen 25:18 (J); = alight quickly, הַגָּמָל מֵעַל Gen 24:64 (J), הַמֶּרְכָּבָה מֵעַל 2Ki 5:21; waste away Num 5:21-22, Num 5:27; = be born Isa 26:18 (compare
Hiph`il Isa 26:19); = be offered, of supplication (י ׳לִפְנֵי) Jer 36:7; Jer 37:20; Jer 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) Jdg 9:12; = lie prostrate, 1Sa 19:24; usually participle Jos 7:10 (J E; עַלמָּֿנֶיךָ), 1Sa 5:3-4, (לְפָנָיו), Amo 9:11, עַלהַֿמִּטָּה Est 7:8; of the dead 1Sa 31:8 = 1Ch 10:8; Deu 21:1; Eze 32:27 (Co conjecture נְפִילִים [compare Gen 6:4], see also Berthol ToyHpt); מֵת אַ֫רְצָה נֹפֵל Jdg 3:25; compare Jdg 4:22 (omit ארצה); נ ׳מְּגָרִים אַ֫רְצָה2Ch 20:24; compare also Eze 32:22-23, Eze 32:24 (strike out in Eze 32:22 Hi Co Berthol, in Eze 32:23 ToyHpt).
Hiph`il Perfect הִמִּיל 1Sa 3:19 +; 2 masculine singular suffix הִמַּלְתָּם Psa 73:18; Psa 73:3plural הִמִּילוּ Jdg 2:19 +; 1 plural הִמַּלְנוּ Neh 10:35, etc.; Imperfect יַמִּיל Exo 21:27, וַיַּמֵּל Gen 2:21 +, suffix יַמִּלֵם Psa 140:11; Psa 140:3masculine plural יַמִּילוּ 2Ki 3:25; Psa 22:19, יַמִּיל֑וּן Job 29:24, etc.; Imperative masculine singular suffix הַמִּלֶהָ Jos 13:6; masculine plural הַמִּילוּ 1Sa 14:42; Infinitive construct לְהַמִּיל 1Sa 18:25 +; לַנְמִּל Num 5:22 read לִנְמֹּל (Di Ol§ 78 c Sta§ 114 a, 2 Köi. 309 Ges§ 66, 2 R 1); Participle מַמִּיל 2Ki 6:5 2Ki 6:2t., plural מַמִּילִים Dan 9:18; —
1 cause to fall, with accusative, literally:
a. fell tree 2Ki 3:19, 2Ki 3:25; compare 2Ki 6:5.
b. throw down wall 2Sa 20:15.
c. knock out tooth Exo 21:27 (E).
d. lay prostrate Deu 25:2 (for bastinado).
e. cast (cedar pillars) into (עַלֿ) fire Jer 22:7; so (with ב), wicked men Psa 140:11.
f. make sword drop from (מִן) hand Eze 30:22 (figurative), compare Eze 39:3.
g. cause stone to fall עַל Num 35:23, flesh Psa 78:28 (בְּקֶרֶב), stars Dan 8:10 (in vision).
2 Of causing death בַּחֶרֶב 2Ki 19:7 = Isa 37:7; Jer 19:7; Eze 32:12 (all ׳י subject), 2Ch 32:21 (human subject); בְּיַד 1Sa 18:25; + חֲלָלִים Eze 6:4; Pro 7:26; also Psa 106:26; Dan 11:12 = overthrow, bring to destruction, Psa 37:14; Psa 73:18 (with ל), Psa 106:27.
3 Especially of casting lot (גּוֺרָל), Isa 34:17 (with לְ for), Neh 10:35 (with עַל + infinitive), Neh 11:1 (c. infinitive), 1Ch 26:14 (with לְ; so read KitHpt compare ᵑ9 ᵐ5 Be Öttli), Psa 22:19 (with עַל), Est 9:24 (c. infinitive); absolute Jon 1:7 (twice in verse); 1Ch 24:31; 1Ch 25:8; 1Ch 26:13; Est 3:7; + בְּ

Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), public domain

Topical studies with this word 25 entries

Meanings adapted from the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament, © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0 and the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew (from the Semantic Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew), © United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0; MACULA Greek Linguistic Datasets, available at https://github.com/Clear-Bible/macula-greek/, licensed CC BY 4.0; MACULA Hebrew Linguistic Datasets © 2022-2024 by Biblica, Inc., CC BY 4.0. Westminster Leningrad Codex (tanach.us). OpenScriptures Hebrew Bible morphology (hb.openscriptures.org), CC BY 4.0.

Sources

eRhema lexical overview, based on the UBS Dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and the UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament (© United Bible Societies, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Macula Hebrew and Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0); released under CC BY-SA 4.0

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