רָפָא

“To heal” in Hebrew is Rapha (רָפָא), pronounced “ra-FAH.” Rapha comes from the root ר-פ-א (resh-pe-aleph), meaning 'to heal, to cure, to restore.' The related noun 'rofe' means doctor/physician. The divine name 'Yahweh Rophe' (the LORD who heals) is one of God's covenant names. The root can also mean 'to sew together' or 'to mend.'

Rapha (רָפָא) means “To heal, to restore, to make whole” in Biblical Hebrew. Rapha appears approximately 67 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes physical healing (2 Kings 5:10, Naaman), emotional restoration (Psalm 147:3, 'heals the brokenhearted'), national healing (2 Chronicles 7:14), and messianic healing (Isaiah 53:5).

Rapha is pronounced “ra-FAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ר-פ-א.

Yahweh Rophe (יְהוָה רֹפֶא) means 'The LORD who heals' or 'The LORD your Healer.' It is revealed in Exodus 15:26, right after the bitter waters of Marah were made sweet. This name reveals that healing is part of God's covenant character — not an occasional miracle but an expression of who He fundamentally is.

Mi Sheberach (מי שברך, 'May the One who blessed') is the traditional Jewish prayer for healing, recited in synagogue for those who are ill. It asks God to send 'refuah shlemah' — complete healing — of both body (refuat haguf) and soul (refuat hanefesh). This dual petition reflects the Hebrew understanding that true rapha encompasses the whole person.

Isaiah 53:5 says, 'He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us shalom was upon him, and by his wounds we are rapha-ed.' This prophecy links the Messiah's suffering directly to humanity's healing. Christians understand this as fulfilled in Jesus' crucifixion — His wounds provide not just forgiveness but comprehensive restoration of everything sin has broken.