Lexical Summary nephel: Miscarriage, stillborn Original Word: נֶפֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance untimely birth Or nephel {nay'-fel}; from naphal; something fallen, i.e. An abortion -- untimely birth. see HEBREW naphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom naphal Definition miscarriage, abortion NASB Translation miscarriage (2), miscarriages (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֵ֫פֶל noun masculineJob 3:16 untimely birth, abortion; — נֵ֫פֶל absolute Job 3:16 (Baer, Ginsb., > van d. H. נֶפֶל), נָ֑פֶל Ecclesiastes 6:3; construct נֵפֶל אֵשֶׁת Psalm 58:9. Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Range Ne·f̱el denotes a stillborn child or miscarriage. The noun evokes the abrupt ending of a life that never reaches the light of day and therefore becomes a powerful image for brevity, futility, and hiddenness. Occurrences in Scripture Job 3:16; Psalm 58:8; Ecclesiastes 6:3. Cultural and Historical Context In the Ancient Near East, fertility was prized and children were perceived as a covenant blessing (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3). A stillbirth, therefore, was not only a personal tragedy but also a communal sign of loss and unfulfilled promise. By using ne·f̱el, the biblical writers tapped into an experience universally understood—one that carried emotional weight and theological implications regarding life, death, and divine sovereignty. Literary and Theological Insights 1. Symbol of Hiddenness (Job 3:16) Job, overwhelmed by suffering, longs for the oblivion of a “stillborn child.” The imagery underscores his desire to be concealed from both earthly anguish and divine scrutiny, portraying ne·f̱el as shelter from pain rather than a mere calamity. 2. Emblem of Futility (Psalm 58:8) “May they be… like a woman’s stillborn child that never sees the sun.” The psalmist prays that the plans of the wicked will come to nothing as abruptly as a miscarriage. Ne·f̱el here conveys the ultimate frustration of evil—destined to perish before its intentions are realized. 3. Measure of Vanity (Ecclesiastes 6:3) Qoheleth judges a life of abundance without satisfaction as worse than a “stillborn child.” The comparison elevates ne·f̱el from a tragedy to a benchmark by which all earthly striving is assessed; a soul empty of contentment negates longevity and prosperity. Pastoral and Ministry Implications • Comfort in Loss: Scripture does not shy away from the reality of miscarriage; instead, it dignifies the grief by naming it. Pastors can point mourners to these passages to validate sorrow and to remind them that every unborn life is known to God (Psalm 139:15-16). Biblical Theology Ne·f̱el threads together themes of concealment, judgment, and vanity. Against the backdrop of redemptive history, these motifs point forward to Jesus Christ, who took on our frailty (Hebrews 2:14) and tasted death for everyone. In Him, every apparent futility finds resolution, and the sting of premature death is swallowed up in resurrection hope (1 Corinthians 15:54–55). Summary Though occurring only three times, ne·f̱el provides a poignant lens through which Scripture addresses the mysteries of suffering, the emptiness of wicked ambition, and the futility of wealth without godliness. Its imagery equips the church to minister compassionately while proclaiming the fullness of life that is secured in Christ alone. Forms and Transliterations הַנָּֽפֶל׃ הנפל׃ כְנֵ֣פֶל כנפל נֵ֥פֶל נפל cheNefel han·nā·p̄el hanNafel hannāp̄el ḵə·nê·p̄el ḵənêp̄el nê·p̄el Nefel nêp̄elLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 3:16 HEB: א֤וֹ כְנֵ֣פֶל טָ֭מוּן לֹ֣א NAS: Or like a miscarriage which is discarded, KJV: Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants INT: Or A miscarriage is discarded never Psalm 58:8 Ecclesiastes 6:3 3 Occurrences |
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