Quranic root
حفد
ḥ · f · d
The root centers on lightness and promptness in action together with coming together or coordinated assistance.
The semantic orientation develops from swift, well-coordinated movement to prompt service and the helpers who provide it; related formations also preserve notions of causative acceleration, being served, and swift cutting.
- Maqāyīs · row 1402
- Mufradāt · row 342
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
حَافِدٌ
ḥāfidun
- Part of speech
- Active participle · plural حفدة in Quran
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Helpers, assistants, or attendants who move promptly to serve and work in obedience.
In the Quranic construction of 16:72, حَفَدَة is the plural of حَافِد and may denote relatives or outsiders characterized by voluntary, active service.
- Lane · entry 14985
- Mufradāt · row 342
Grandchildren or descendants.
An alternative traditional interpretation of حَفَدَة in 16:72; the term may refer especially to sons’ children, without making that specification obligatory in every usage.
- Lane · entry 14985
- Mufradāt · row 342
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:72word 12
“and grandsons”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 16:72وَحَفَدَةًۭand grandsons
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 12 Classical meanings
حَفَدَ
To move quickly or maintain a quick, continuous pace.
The lexical descriptions illustrate sustained rapid movement; they do not restrict the verb to one particular animal or object.
- Lane · entry 14979
حَفَدَ
To be active, agile, or prompt in an affair, work, or service.
The emphasis is on energetic and prompt performance, including readiness to obey or serve.
- Lane · entry 14979
حَفَدَ
To serve and work for another.
A conventional verbal use describing service performed for a person; it is distinct from merely moving quickly.
- Lane · entry 14979
أَحْفَدَ
To make or incite another, especially an animal, to move quickly with a continuous pace.
This is the causative Form IV use of the root.
- Lane · entry 14980
حَفَدٌ
A pace less quick than one termed خَبَبٌ.
A nominal designation for a degree or kind of pace.
- Lane · entry 14982
حَفَّادٌ
A camel that moves quickly with a continuous pace.
An agent or descriptive noun formed from the speed branch of the root.
- Lane · entry 14984
حَفَدَةٌ
In extended kinship usage, children or daughters; also children and grandchildren who serve a parent, in-laws, or a wife’s sons by an earlier husband.
These are alternative Classical Arabic extensions of the helper and kinship vocabulary, not a single obligatory referent.
- Lane · entry 14985
مَحْفِدٌ
A person’s origin, lineage, or ancestral base.
The noun can denote origin in a general sense, as well as a person’s lineage.
- Lane · entry 14986
مَحْفِدٌ
The base or lower part of a camel’s hump, or the hump itself.
A concrete anatomical use distinct from the meaning ‘origin’ or ‘lineage’.
- Lane · entry 14986
مَحْفِدٌ
A measuring vessel or measure.
A separately attested nominal use.
- Maqāyīs · row 1402
مَحْفُودٌ
A person who is served, attended, honored, and obeyed by others.
The description emphasizes companions or associates hastening to serve and honor him.
- Lane · entry 14987
مُحْتَفِدٌ
A sword that is quick in cutting.
A figurative or descriptive use applied to the speed and effectiveness of a sword’s cut.
- Lane · entry 14988
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
حَفَدَةٌ in 16:72 has materially different traditional interpretations: helpers or attendants on one reading, and grandchildren or descendants on another. The supplied contextual gloss reflects the latter interpretation but does not by itself settle the lexical question.
The Quranic form is the plural حَفَدَةً; حَافِدٌ is used here as the normalized singular dictionary citation form.