Lexical Summary rak: Tender, soft, delicate, weak Original Word: רַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fainthearted, soft, tender hearted, one, weak From rakak; tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak -- faint((-hearted), soft, tender ((-hearted), one), weak. see HEBREW rakak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rakak Definition tender, delicate, soft NASB Translation frail (1), gentle (1), inexperienced (2), refined (2), soft (2), tender (3), tender one (1), timid* (1), weak (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs רַךְ adjective tender, delicate, soft; — ׳ר absolute Genesis 18:7 +, construct Deuteronomy 20:8; 2Chronicles 13:7; feminine singular רַכָּה Deuteronomy 28:56 +; masculine plural רֵבִּים Genesis 33:13; feminine plural absolute רַכּוֺת Genesis 29:17; Job 40:27; — 1 tender of flesh Genesis 18:7 (J; בֶּןבֶּֿקָר); tender, delicate, especially in body, of children Genesis 33:13 (J), compare (implying weakness of undeveloped character) 2 Samuel 3:39, נַעַר וָרָ֑ךְ 1 Chronicles 22:5; 1 Chronicles 29:1, (וְיָתִיד) רֵךְ Proverbs 4:3 ('of tenderage,' Toy, q. v.); of man ( + עָנֹג; i.e. delicately nurtured) Deuteronomy 28:54, so of woman Deuteronomy 28:56 ( + עֲנֻגָּה), so, figurative of Babylonian, Isaiah 47:1 ( + id.; רַךְ as substantive =tender (twing) Ezekiel 17:22 (in figurative); delicate, weak, of eyes Genesis 29:17 (E). 2 רֵךְ (ה)לֵבָב weak of heart, timid, Deuteronomy 20:8 ( + יָרֵא), 2 Chronicles 13:7 (נַעַד). 3 soft, of words, absolute רַכּוֺת Job 40:27 = substantive, mild, Gentle words ("" תַּחֲנוּנִים); מַעֲנֶה רַךְ Proverbs 15:1 (opposed to דְּבַר עֶצֶב), לָשׁוֺן רַכָּה Proverbs 25:15. Topical Lexicon Spectrum of Biblical Usage The term is applied to physical objects (Genesis 18:7; Ezekiel 17:22), to human bodies (Genesis 29:17; Deuteronomy 28:54-56), to the young and inexperienced (Genesis 33:13; 1 Chronicles 22:5), to inward disposition (Proverbs 15:1), and to courage or its lack (Deuteronomy 20:8). This breadth highlights a single idea: softness, whether of flesh, age, speech, or heart. Physical Tenderness • Food and livestock: Abraham selects “a tender and good calf” (Genesis 18:7), underscoring generosity worthy of his angelic guests. Youth and Inexperience Jacob’s plea, “The children are tender” (Genesis 33:13), justifies a slower pace and models paternal care. David twice calls Solomon “young and inexperienced” (1 Chronicles 22:5; 1 Chronicles 29:1), yet confidently entrusts him with temple construction, demonstrating that immaturity need not preclude divine calling. Rehoboam, likewise labeled “young and inexperienced” (2 Chronicles 13:7), illustrates the peril of ignoring wise counsel. Scripture thus presents tender youth as a season requiring nurture, guidance, and dependence on God. Emotional and Verbal Gentleness Wisdom literature portrays softness as a strength of character: Biblically, gentle speech diffuses conflict, influences authority, and contrasts starkly with hostile powers. Psychological Softness and Fear In warfare the “fainthearted” are excused (Deuteronomy 20:8), acknowledging that spiritual and emotional weakness can demoralize an army. Under covenant curses, even the “most tender and refined” man or woman becomes monstrously selfish (Deuteronomy 28:54-56), proving that apart from obedience tenderness degenerates into self-preservation. Royal and National Vulnerability David laments, “I am weak, though anointed king” (2 Samuel 3:39), exposing the tension between divine appointment and human frailty. Babylon, once “tender and delicate,” is commanded to “sit in the dust” (Isaiah 47:1), illustrating how worldly splendor collapses under God’s judgment. Prophetic and Christological Significance Ezekiel’s “tender shoot” planted by God prefigures Jesus Christ: humble in origin yet destined for universal rule. From fragile beginnings in Bethlehem, the Branch becomes the tree under whose shade nations find rest (compare Ezekiel 17:22-24 with Matthew 13:31-32). The motif also anticipates the Servant who “will not break a bruised reed” (Isaiah 42:3), whose meekness is power under control. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Shepherding the young: Congregational discipleship must account for the “tender” in faith, progressing at a pace they can bear (Genesis 33:13). Theological Reflection Tenderness in Scripture is not weakness but potential—material for God’s shaping. Whether nurturing children, guiding emerging leaders, or planting a Messianic sprig, the Lord delights to bring strength out of softness. The believer is called to cultivate a heart both gentle and courageous, mirroring the Savior who is “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Forms and Transliterations הָרַ֣ךְ הָרַכָּ֨ה הרך הרכה וְרַ֣ךְ וְרַךְ־ וָרָ֑ךְ וָרָךְ֒ ורך ורך־ רַ֝כָּ֗ה רַ֣ךְ רַ֤ךְ רַ֥ךְ רַּ֭ךְ רַךְ֙ רַכִּ֔ים רַכָּ֖ה רַכּ֑וֹת רַכּֽוֹת׃ רך רכה רכות רכות׃ רכים hā·raḵ hā·rak·kāh haRach hāraḵ harakKah hārakkāh rach raḵ rak·kāh rak·kîm rak·kō·wṯ rakKah rakkāh rakKim rakkîm rakKot rakkōwṯ vaRach varoCh veRach wā·rāḵ wārāḵ wə·raḵ wə·raḵ- wəraḵ wəraḵ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 18:7 HEB: בֶּן־ בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן NAS: and took a tender and choice KJV: a calf tender and good, INT: afflicted to the herd A tender and choice and gave Genesis 29:17 Genesis 33:13 Deuteronomy 20:8 Deuteronomy 28:54 Deuteronomy 28:56 2 Samuel 3:39 1 Chronicles 22:5 1 Chronicles 29:1 2 Chronicles 13:7 Job 41:3 Proverbs 4:3 Proverbs 15:1 Proverbs 25:15 Isaiah 47:1 Ezekiel 17:22 16 Occurrences |
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