רָדַף
ra.daph
“to pursue”
Definition
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by)
a primitive root;
- to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Go beyond grammar.
See how this word works across context, usage, and meaning with AI-assisted word study built for serious Bible study.
logos (G3056)
word, saying, account
Grammar & Morphology
Verb
H:V
Hebrew Verb
Occurrences
רָדַף appears 122 times in the Old Testament.
Distribution by Book
Key Passages
and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry.
So Gad went and said to David, “Do you choose to endure three years of famine in your land, three months of fleeing the pursuit of your enemies, or three days of plague upon your land? Now then, think it over and decide how I should reply to Him who sent me.”
Your rulers are rebels,friends of thieves.They all love bribesand chasing after rewards.They do not defend the fatherless,and the plea of the widow never comes before them.
Why do you persecute me as God does?Will you never get enough of my flesh?
You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you.
Lexicon data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge) under CC BY 4.0 license.