Lexical Summary rakab: To ride, to mount, to be carried Original Word: רָכַב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bring on horseback, carry, get oneself up, on horsebackA primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch -- bring (on (horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to mount and ride, ride NASB Translation carried (2), carried him in a chariot (1), chariot (1), drove (1), harness (1), horseman* (2), lead (1), led (1), mounted (4), pace (1), placed (1), put (2), ridden (2), ride (17), rider (7), riders (5), rides (5), riding (15), rode (9), rode in a chariot (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רָכַב verb mount and ride, ride (Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian rakâbu, Arabic ![]() ![]() ![]() Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳ר Esther 6:8; 2masculine singular רָכַבְתָּ Numbers 22:30; 3plural רָֽכְבוּ 1 Samuel 30:17; Imperfect3masculine singular יִרְכַּב Leviticus 15:9, etc.; Imperative masculine singular רְכַב Psalm 45:5; Infinitive construct לִרְכֹּב 2 Samuel 16:2; 2 Kings 4:24; Participle active רֹכֵב absolute Numbers 22:22 +, construct Amos 2:15; suffix רֹכְבוֺ Genesis 49:17 +; feminine singular absolute רֹכֶ֫בֶת 1 Samuel 25:30; masculine plural רֹכְבִים Judges 10:4 +, etc.; — 1 mount, mount and sit, or ride, with עֵל of camel Genesis 24:61 (J), 1 Samuel 30:17, of ass (חֲמוֺר) 1 Samuel 25:42,20; 2 Samuel 16:2 (עַל object omitted), 2 Samuel 19:27; 1 Kings 13:13, of mule (מֶּרֶד) 2 Samuel 13:29; absolute of mounting (and riding in) chariot 1 Kings 18:45; 2 Kings 9:16. 2 ride, be riding c. עַל of mule (מֶּרֶד) 2 Samuel 18:9, of ass, אָתוֺן Numbers 22:22 (J), so (עַל object omitted) 2 Kings 4:24, of חֲמוֺר Zechariah 9:9, of hose Zechariah 1:8; with עַלאֶֿרְכָּב (see ׳מ) Leviticus 15:9; with ב of animal (בְּהֵמָה) Nehemiah 2:12; ב of chariotry and horses Jeremiah 17:25 = Jeremiah 22:4; absolute (perhaps In chariot) Psalm 45:5 ride on ! ride (habitually) with עַל of אָתוֺןNumbers 22:30 (J), of עֲיָרִים Judges 10:4; Judges 12:14, of סוּס Hosea 14:4 (figurative of alliance with Egypt), Jeremiah 6:23; Jeremiah 50:42; Esther 6:8; Habakkuk 3:8 (figurative of ׳י; possibly Add suffix reference to יָם, compare Deuteronomy 33:26), עַלקַֿל ("" סוּס) Isaiah 30:16; of ׳י, עַלכְּֿרוּב 2 Samuel 22:11 = Psalm 18:11, עַלעָֿב קַל Isaiah 19:1, with accusative שָׁמַיִם ride through Deuteronomy 33:26, but also with ב location in, through, Psalm 68:5; Psalm 68:34. 3 participle רֹכֵב etc., as substantive, rider: רֹכְבֵי אֲתֹנוֺת Judges 5:10; (ה)סוּס ׳ר Amos 2:15; 2 Kings 9:18,19; Ezekiel 23:23; Ezekiel 38:15; Zechariah 10:5, so (appositive מָּרָשִׁים) Ezekiel 23:6,12; suffix of סוּס Genesis 49:17; Exodus 15:1,21; Jeremiah 51:21a Zechariah 12:4; Job 39:18; Haggai 2:22b; עַל of סוּס 2 Kings 18:23 = Isaiah 36:8; רֹכְבֵי רֶכֶשׁ Esther 8:10,14; suffix of chariot Jeremiah 51:21b Haggai 2:22. Hiph`il Perfect2masculine singular הִרְכַּבְתָּ Psalm 66:12, etc.; Imperfect3masculine singular וַיַדְכֵּב Genesis 41:43; 2 Kings 13:16, suffix יַרְכִּבֵהוּ Deuteronomy 32:13, etc.; imperative masculine singular הַרְכֵּב 2 Kings 13:16; — 1 cause to (mount and) ride: with accusative of person + עַל of חֲמוֺר Exodus 4:20 (J), of מִּרְדָּה 1 Kings 1:33,38,44, of סוּס Esther 6:9, cf. (עַלסֿוּס omitted) Esther 6:11; with accusative of person + ב of chariot Genesis 41:43 (E), 2 Kings 10:16; ב of chariot omitted 2 Kings 9:28; 2 Kings 23:30 = (with עַלרֶֿכֶב) 2 Chronicles 35:24; figurative Job 30:22 (that is, on the wind); with accusative of thing + אֶלעֲֿגָלָה 2 Samuel 6:3 = 1 Chronicles 13:7; figurative, with accusative of person + עַל location (עלבֿמותי ארץ) Deuteronomy 32:13 so Isaiah 58:14, + לְראֹשֵׁנוּ Psalm 66:12 over our heads. 2 cause to draw (plough, etc.) Hosea 10:11, object Ephraim Under figure of heifer. 3 figurative (עַלהַֿקֶּשֶׁת) הַרְכֵּב יָָֽדְךָ 2 Kings 13:16 (twice in verse); cause hand to ride upon (grasp) bow. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope רָכַב (Strong’s 7392) centers on the act of mounting or riding—whether on an animal, a chariot, or metaphorically on clouds, cherubim, or heavenly heights. The term spans ordinary travel, royal processions, military operations, poetic imagery, and prophetic revelation. Occurrences and Distribution Approximately seventy-eight instances appear across the Old Testament: Literal Usage: Mounted Travel and Daily Life 1. Pastoral and family scenes: “Then Rebekah and her maids mounted their camels and followed the man” (Genesis 24:61). Chariotry and Warfare The verb frequently links to horses and chariots, the cutting-edge military technology of the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Royal Procession and Coronation To “ride” can announce legitimate authority. David commanded, “Have Solomon my son ride on my own mule” (1 Kings 1:33). The public act declared succession and secured loyalty, prefiguring messianic fulfillment. Divine Rider: Sovereignty on High Scripture portrays the LORD Himself as the supreme Rider: These passages underscore divine transcendence and imminent intervention. The Rider motif assures believers that all earthly powers remain subordinate to the King of glory. Messianic Fulfillment Zechariah’s royal oracle connects רָכַב to the humility and triumph of the Messiah: “See, your King comes to you… humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). The Gospels explicitly cite this verse when Jesus enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5; John 12:14-15), identifying Him as the gentle yet victorious Son of David. The stark contrast—donkey rather than war horse—highlights peace secured through sacrificial love. Poetic and Symbolic Nuances • Martial romance: “In Your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness” (Psalm 45:4), celebrating the Davidic king while hinting at the ultimate Christ. Historical Background Horse domestication reached the Levant c. second millennium B.C. Chariots dominated battlefields until cavalry superseded them in the first millennium. Israel, initially agrarian, faced neighbors advantaged with horse-power. The verb רָכַב documents Israel’s military learning curve, from dependence on God when outgunned (Judges 4–5) to later overreliance on imported horses (Isaiah 31:1). Archaeology at Megiddo and Hazor confirms extensive stables during the monarchy, corroborating biblical accounts. Warnings and Exhortations The prophets exploit רָכַב to expose misplaced trust: “Their chariots are many and their horsemen are strong, but the LORD will stretch out His hand” (Isaiah 31:1-3, summary). Jeremiah repeats that national stability hinges on covenant fidelity, not mounted forces (Jeremiah 17:25; 22:4-5). Ministry Applications 1. Dependence: Victory arises from the LORD who “rides across the heavens,” not from human horsepower. Key References for Study and Teaching Genesis 24:61; Exodus 15:1, 21; Deuteronomy 33:26; Judges 5:10; 2 Samuel 18:9; 1 Kings 1:33; Psalm 18:10; Psalm 45:4; Psalm 68:4, 33; Isaiah 19:1; Jeremiah 17:25; Habakkuk 3:8; Zechariah 9:9. Summary רָכַב intertwines ordinary journeys, royal majesty, military might, and divine revelation. Whether depicting patriarchs on camels, kings in chariots, or the LORD riding the heavens, the term calls believers to perceive every rider—human or divine—within God’s unfolding redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations אַרְכִּ֤יב ארכיב הִרְכַּ֥בְתָּ הַרְכֵּ֤ב הרכב הרכבת וְאֶרְכַּ֤ב וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ וְהִרְכַּבְתִּ֖יךָ וְהִרְכַּבְתֶּם֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֵיהֶ֔ם וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ וְרֹֽכְב֑וֹ וְרֹכְב֖וֹ וְרֹכְבֽוֹ׃ וְרֹכֵ֣ב וַֽיִּרְכְּב֛וּ וַֽיַּרְכִּיבֻהוּ֮ וַיִּרְכַּ֖ב וַיִּרְכַּ֣ב וַיִּרְכַּ֤ב וַיִּרְכַּ֥ב וַיַּרְכִּ֙בוּ֙ וַיַּרְכִּ֜בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֜יבוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֣בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֥בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֧בוּ וַיַּרְכִּבֵם֙ וַיַּרְכִּבֻ֨הוּ וַיַּרְכִּיבֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּרְכֵּ֖ב וַיַּרְכֵּ֣ב וַתִּרְכַּ֙בְנָה֙ וַתִּרְכַּב֙ וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ׃ וארכב והרכבתיך והרכבתם והרכיבהו וירכב וירכבהו וירכבו וירכבם וירכיבהו וירכיבו ולרכבו׃ ורכב ורכבו ורכבו׃ ורכביה ורכביהם ותרכב ותרכבנה יִרְכַּ֥ב יִרְכָּ֑בוּ יַרְכִּבֵ֙הוּ֙ ירכב ירכבהו ירכבו לִרְכֹּ֔ב לִרְכֹּ֗ב לָ֭רֹכֵב לָרֹכֵ֣ב לרכב נִרְכָּ֔ב נרכב רְכַ֗ב רָכְב֥וּ רָכַ֣בְתָּ רָכַ֤ב רֹֽכְבִים֙ רֹכְב֖וֹ רֹכְבִ֖ים רֹכְבִ֣ים ׀ רֹכְבִ֤ים רֹכְבִ֥ים רֹכְבֵ֖י רֹכְבֵ֣י רֹכְבֵ֤י רֹכְבֵ֥י רֹכְבֵי֩ רֹכֵ֣ב רֹכֵ֤ב רֹכֵ֥ב רֹכֵ֨ב רֹכֵב֙ רֹכֶ֣בֶת רכב רכבו רכבי רכבים רכבת תִרְכַּב֙ תַּרְכִּיבֵ֑נִי תרכב תרכיבני ’ar·kîḇ ’arkîḇ arKiv har·kêḇ harkêḇ harKev hir·kaḇ·tā hirkaḇtā hirKavta lā·rō·ḵêḇ laroChev lārōḵêḇ lir·kōḇ lirKo lirkōḇ nir·kāḇ nirkāḇ nirKav rā·ḵaḇ rā·ḵaḇ·tā rā·ḵə·ḇū raChav raChavta racheVu rāḵaḇ rāḵaḇtā rāḵəḇū rə·ḵaḇ reChav rəḵaḇ rō·ḵə·ḇê rō·ḵe·ḇeṯ rō·ḵə·ḇîm rō·ḵə·ḇōw rō·ḵêḇ roChev rocheVei roChevet rocheVim rocheVo rōḵêḇ rōḵəḇê rōḵeḇeṯ rōḵəḇîm rōḵəḇōw tar·kî·ḇê·nî tarkîḇênî tarkiVeni ṯir·kaḇ ṯirkaḇ tirKav ū·lə·rō·ḵə·ḇōw uleRocheVo ūlərōḵəḇōw vaiyarKev vaiyarkiVehu vaiyarkiVem vaiyarKivu vaiyarkiVuhu vaiyirKav vaiyirkeVu vattirKav vattirKavnah veerKav vehirkavTem vehirkavTicha vehirkiVuhu veroChev veRocheVeiha veRocheveiHem verocheVo wat·tir·kaḇ wat·tir·kaḇ·nāh wattirkaḇ wattirkaḇnāh way·yar·kêḇ way·yar·kî·ḇê·hū way·yar·ki·ḇêm way·yar·ki·ḇū way·yar·kî·ḇū way·yar·ki·ḇu·hū way·yar·kî·ḇu·hū way·yir·kaḇ way·yir·kə·ḇū wayyarkêḇ wayyarkîḇêhū wayyarkiḇêm wayyarkiḇū wayyarkîḇū wayyarkiḇuhū wayyarkîḇuhū wayyirkaḇ wayyirkəḇū wə’erkaḇ wə·’er·kaḇ wə·hir·kaḇ·tem wə·hir·kaḇ·tî·ḵā wə·hir·kî·ḇu·hū wə·rō·ḵə·ḇe·hā wə·rō·ḵə·ḇê·hem wə·rō·ḵə·ḇōw wə·rō·ḵêḇ wəhirkaḇtem wəhirkaḇtîḵā wəhirkîḇuhū wərōḵêḇ wərōḵəḇehā wərōḵəḇêhem wərōḵəḇōw yar·ki·ḇê·hū yarkiḇêhū yarkiVehu yir·kā·ḇū yir·kaḇ yirkaḇ yirkāḇū yirKav yirKavuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 24:61 HEB: רִבְקָ֜ה וְנַעֲרֹתֶ֗יהָ וַתִּרְכַּ֙בְנָה֙ עַל־ הַגְּמַלִּ֔ים NAS: with her maids, and they mounted the camels KJV: and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, INT: Rebekah her maids mounted and the camels Genesis 41:43 Genesis 49:17 Exodus 4:20 Exodus 15:1 Exodus 15:21 Leviticus 15:9 Numbers 22:22 Numbers 22:30 Deuteronomy 32:13 Deuteronomy 33:26 Judges 5:10 Judges 10:4 Judges 12:14 1 Samuel 25:20 1 Samuel 25:42 1 Samuel 30:17 2 Samuel 6:3 2 Samuel 13:29 2 Samuel 16:2 2 Samuel 18:9 2 Samuel 19:26 2 Samuel 22:11 1 Kings 1:33 1 Kings 1:38 78 Occurrences |