Heal (Rapha)
רָפָא (rapha)
To mend and restore — God's power to cure disease, repair brokenness, and make whole.
Rapha is the Hebrew word for heal, meaning to mend, cure, or restore. God reveals Himself as 'the LORD that healeth thee' (Jehovah Rapha) — the divine physician who heals body, soul, and spirit.
"I am the LORD that healeth thee." — Exodus 15:26 (KJV)
Key Verses
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities... and with his stripes we are healed.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H7495 — Heal (Rapha) (רָפָא (rapha))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where רָפָא (rapha) appears.
Open Strong's H7495Etymology and Original Meaning
Rapha means 'to heal,' 'to cure,' or 'to restore to wholeness.' It applies to physical healing (disease and injury), emotional healing (grief and trauma), spiritual healing (sin and its effects), and even national healing (restoration of a broken people). The range is comprehensive — rapha is God making right what has gone wrong, at every level of human experience.
Jehovah Rapha — The LORD Who Heals
God revealed Himself as Jehovah Rapha — 'the LORD that healeth thee' (Exodus 15:26). This name was given at Marah, where bitter water was made sweet. God identifies healing as part of His essential character — not an occasional activity but a defining attribute. He is the healer. This identity pervades Scripture: 'Who healeth all thy diseases' (Psalm 103:3).
Healing and Forgiveness
Psalm 103:3 links healing with forgiveness: God 'forgiveth all thine iniquities' and 'healeth all thy diseases.' This connection is significant — sin and sickness, while not always directly linked, are both consequences of a broken world. God's healing addresses the whole person: forgiving the soul and restoring the body. Jesus demonstrated this unity when He healed the paralytic: 'Thy sins be forgiven thee... Arise, and walk' (Mark 2:5, 9).
Healed by His Stripes
Isaiah 53:5 prophesied, 'With his stripes we are healed.' Peter applies this to spiritual healing: 'By whose stripes ye were healed' (1 Peter 2:24) — healed from sin's disease. The cross is the ultimate healing event — Christ bearing the wounds that restore humanity's broken relationship with God. Physical healing is a foretaste; spiritual healing is the substance; complete healing awaits the resurrection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does rapha mean in Hebrew?
Rapha means to heal, cure, or restore to wholeness. God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha — 'the LORD that healeth thee' (Exodus 15:26). His healing encompasses body, soul, spirit, and community.
Does God still heal today?
God's character as Healer has not changed. He heals through medicine, prayer, community, and sometimes miraculously. Complete, permanent healing is guaranteed at the resurrection, when 'there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying' (Revelation 21:4).
Which Bible verse uses the word "Heal (Rapha)"?
Exodus 15:26 — "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (KJV). It also appears in Psalm 103:3, Isaiah 53:5.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Heal (Rapha)" matter?
Rapha means 'to heal,' 'to cure,' or 'to restore to wholeness.' It applies to physical healing (disease and injury), emotional healing (grief and trauma), spiritual healing (sin and its effects), and even national healing (restoration of… English uses one word, "Heal (Rapha)", where the Hebrew רָפָא (rapha) carries the fuller sense: to mend and restore — god's power to cure disease, repair brokenness, and make whole.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Heal (Rapha) (רָפָא (rapha))
To mend and restore — God's power to cure disease, repair brokenness, and make whole.
Strong's H7495 — Heal (Rapha)
רָפָא (rapha) • To mend and restore — God's power to cure disease, repair brokenness, and make whole.
God Promises to Be Your Healer
Bible promises about God as Jehovah Rapha — the God who heals body, soul, and sp
God Promises to Be Your Healer
Bible promises about God as Jehovah Rapha — the Lord who heals you.
Naaman Healed of Leprosy
The Syrian commander Naaman was cleansed of leprosy after dipping seven times in
Hezekiah Healed of His Sickness
God adds fifteen years to King Hezekiah's life after he prays in tears for heali
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Heal (Rapha)? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue