Lexical Summary rachab: Wide, broad, spacious Original Word: רָחָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide From rachab; roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively -- broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide. see HEBREW rachab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rachab Definition wide, broad NASB Translation arrogant (2), broad (7), broader (1), extensive (1), large* (2), liberty (1), proud (1), spacious (1), spacious* (1), vast (1), wide (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רָחָב21 adjective wide, broad; — absolute ׳ר Job 30:14; construct רְחַב Proverbs 21:4 +; feminine singular רְחָבָה Exodus 3:8 +; construct רַחֲבַת Genesis 34:21 +; masculine plural construct רַחֲבֵי Isaiah 33:21; — wide, broad, spacious, of land Exodus 3:8 (J), Nehemiah 9:35, רַחֲבַת יָדַיִם, etc., Genesis 34:21 6t., see יָד 3d; מִנִּייָֿם ׳ר Job 11:9 (of greatness of God, "" אֲרֻכָּה מֵאֶרֶץ); בָּֽרְחָבָה as substantive Psalm 119:45 in a wide, roomy, space (figurative); ׳מֶּרֶץ ר Job 30:14 (simile); of cup Ezekiel 23:32 (in figurative; + הָעֲמֻקָּה); of wall (= thick) Jeremiah 51:58; specifically, in Jerusalem (as proper name) ׳הַחוֺמָה הָֽר Nehemiah 3:8; Nehemiah 12:38; figurative extensive, of work, undertaking, מְלָאכָה, Nehemiah 4:19 (+הַרְבֵּה); of ׳יs commandment Psalm 119:96 (i.e. unlimited, measureless); רְחַב לֵבָב Psalm 101:5 i.e. exultant, arrogant ("" גְּבַהּעֵֿינַיִם), so לֵב ׳ר Proverbs 21:4 ("" ׳רוּםעֿ); רְחַב נֶפֶשׁ Proverbs 28:25 i.e. greedy (compare רחב אולת Ecclus 47:23c, in play on רְחַבְעָם). Topical Lexicon Meaning and ScopeThe noun רָחָב (rachav) portrays spaciousness, breadth, or an open expanse. It can describe land, streets, walls, waterways, hearts, eyes, or even a cup. The word conveys relief from confinement, generosity of spirit, and, negatively, an inflated self-regard. Its distribution across historical narrative, poetry, wisdom, and prophetic literature shows how the concept of “breadth” enriches Israel’s theology and ethics. A Spacious Land—Gift and Goal When Jacob’s sons approach the Shechemites they commend “the land … broad enough for them” (Genesis 34:21). Centuries later the Lord announces that He will bring Israel “to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Rachav underscores the covenant ideal: God rescues from bondage and plants His people in roomy security. The same theme surfaces when the Simeonites find “rich, good pasture, and the land was spacious, peaceful, and quiet” (1 Chronicles 4:40). Evangelically, the motif anticipates the believer’s entrance into Christ’s rest—life no longer hemmed in by sin’s slavery but expanded by grace. Urban Breadth and Defensive Strength Nehemiah’s memoirs concentrate the word. Jerusalem’s “Broad Wall” (Nehemiah 3:8; 12:38) and “the broad space of the city” (Nehemiah 7:4) testify to renewed civic vitality after exile. Workers are spread out “far from one another on the wall” (Nehemiah 4:19), yet unified under God’s protection. Archaeology has uncovered a massive eighth-century structure on Jerusalem’s western hill that aligns with Nehemiah’s description and confirms Scripture’s reliability. Liberation into God’s Ways “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts” (Psalm 119:45). Obedience brings unconfined living, overturning any notion that God’s law restricts joy. The psalmist later adds, “To all perfection I see a limit, but Your commandment is boundless” (Psalm 119:96). The Torah’s breadth is moral, intellectual, and experiential—and the Word-made-flesh ultimately embodies it. Creation’s Vastness Reflecting the Creator Job’s friend affirms that the measure of divine wisdom “is broader than the sea” (Job 11:9), while Psalm 104:25 marvels, “There is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number.” Rachav highlights the Creator’s grandeur and invites humble worship. Ministry that proclaims God’s works enlarges the hearer’s vision and counters a cramped, man-centered worldview. Moral Warnings: The Broad Heart and Haughty Eyes “A proud heart and haughty eyes, the lamp of the wicked, are sin” (Proverbs 21:4). Here rachav describes the inner posture of arrogance. Likewise, “A greedy man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper” (Proverbs 28:25). The spacious heart can either be magnanimous or self-inflated; Scripture condemns the latter and commends reliance on God. Pastoral application calls believers to cultivate largeness of soul in generosity, not in self-exaltation. Images of Judgment and Collapse Job pictures attackers advancing “like a wide breach” (Job 30:14). Isaiah foresees the exile of Shebna: “He will roll you into a ball, into a wide land” (Isaiah 22:18). Jeremiah declares concerning Babylon, “Its broad walls will be completely demolished” (Jeremiah 51:58). Ezekiel warns adulterous Samaria, “You will drink a cup large and deep” (Ezekiel 23:32). The same breadth that signifies blessing when granted by God becomes a curse when seized in rebellion. Messianic Hope and Eschatological Peace Isaiah promises a future Zion where “the LORD … will be with us in a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars will sail, no mighty ship will pass” (Isaiah 33:21). The scene blends safety, abundance, and unassailable sovereignty, foreshadowing the New Jerusalem whose streets—and hearts—will be forever spacious. Theological and Ministry Implications 1. Salvation moves from confinement to breadth; proclaiming Christ is an invitation into divine spaciousness. Key References for Study Genesis 34:21; Exodus 3:8; Judges 18:10; 1 Chronicles 4:40; Nehemiah 3:8; Nehemiah 4:19; Nehemiah 7:4; Nehemiah 9:35; Nehemiah 12:38; Job 11:9; Job 30:14; Psalm 101:5; Psalm 104:25; Psalm 119:45; Psalm 119:96; Proverbs 21:4; Proverbs 28:25; Isaiah 22:18; Isaiah 33:21; Jeremiah 51:58; Ezekiel 23:32. Forms and Transliterations בָרְחָבָ֑ה ברחבה הָֽרְחָבָה֙ הָרְחָבָ֧ה הָרְחָבָֽה׃ הרחבה הרחבה׃ וְהָרְחָבָ֑ה וּ֝רְחָבָ֗ה וּרְחַ֣ב וּרְחַ֪ב וּרְחַב־ וּרְחָבָ֑ה וּרְחָבָ֔ה והרחבה ורחב ורחב־ ורחבה רְחַב־ רְחָבָ֖ה רַֽחֲבַת־ רַחֲבֵ֣י רַחֲבַ֣ת רַחֲבַ֤ת רָחָ֣ב רחב רחב־ רחבה רחבי רחבת רחבת־ ḇā·rə·ḥā·ḇāh ḇārəḥāḇāh hā·rə·ḥā·ḇāh harechaVah hārəḥāḇāh ra·ḥă·ḇaṯ ra·ḥă·ḇaṯ- ra·ḥă·ḇê rā·ḥāḇ raChav rachavat rachaVei rāḥāḇ raḥăḇaṯ raḥăḇaṯ- raḥăḇê rə·ḥā·ḇāh rə·ḥaḇ- rechav rechaVah rəḥaḇ- rəḥāḇāh ū·rə·ḥā·ḇāh ū·rə·ḥaḇ ū·rə·ḥaḇ- ureChav urechaVah ūrəḥaḇ ūrəḥaḇ- ūrəḥāḇāh varechaVah veharechaVah wə·hā·rə·ḥā·ḇāh wəhārəḥāḇāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 34:21 HEB: וְהָאָ֛רֶץ הִנֵּ֥ה רַֽחֲבַת־ יָדַ֖יִם לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם NAS: the land is large enough KJV: therein; for the land, behold, [it is] large enough INT: the land behold large enough them Exodus 3:8 Judges 18:10 1 Chronicles 4:40 Nehemiah 3:8 Nehemiah 4:19 Nehemiah 7:4 Nehemiah 9:35 Nehemiah 12:38 Job 11:9 Job 30:14 Psalm 101:5 Psalm 104:25 Psalm 119:45 Psalm 119:96 Proverbs 21:4 Proverbs 28:25 Isaiah 22:18 Isaiah 33:21 Jeremiah 51:58 Ezekiel 23:32 21 Occurrences |
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