Lexical Summary rikbah: Chariotry, chariot force Original Word: רִכְבָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chariots Feminine of rekeb; a chariot (collectively) -- chariots. see HEBREW rekeb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rakab Definition (act of) riding NASB Translation riding (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רִכְבָּה noun feminine act of riding; — ׳לְר Ezekiel 27:20. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Ezekiel 27:20 records the sole appearance of רִכְבָּה: “Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding”. The lament over Tyre catalogs the city-state’s international commerce; among the luxury items listed are the ornate coverings or saddlecloths designed for riders and chariot teams. Historical and Cultural Context In the Ancient Near East, horses and chariots were both military assets and status symbols. The elaborate cloths that draped horses, mules, or the chariot bench not only protected the animal and rider but also displayed wealth and craftsmanship. Dedan—descendants of Abraham through Keturah (Genesis 25:3)—occupied caravan routes in northwestern Arabia. Their presence in Tyre’s markets underscores how far-reaching the Phoenician trade network had become by the sixth century BC. The mention of these riding cloths in Ezekiel situates Tyre within a world economy that prized elegance and innovation in transportation, especially for royal or military processions. Symbolic and Theological Significance 1. Divine Attention to Detail: The prophetic oracle itemizes Tyre’s merchandise with precision, demonstrating that the Lord’s knowledge of human affairs extends to the smallest trade good. The inclusion of a term occurring nowhere else in Scripture illustrates the Spirit’s exactness in inspiring the prophets (2 Peter 1:21). Intertextual Connections • Exodus 14:24-25; Joshua 11:6-9 – God undermines enemy chariots, reminding Israel that military technology offers no refuge from judgment. Ministry Applications • Stewardship over Prestige: Ezekiel’s mention of luxury riding cloths challenges believers to evaluate how prestige items can distract from wholehearted devotion. Related Terms and Themes רֶכֶב (rekeb) – often translated “chariot” or “upper millstone,” highlighting the root idea of riding or moving upon. רָכַב (rākab) – the common verb “to ride,” appearing in texts that range from Genesis 24:61 to Psalm 45:4. Together these words flesh out the broader biblical theology of God and humankind in motion—either toward judgment or salvation. Summary רִכְבָּה, though occurring only once, fits squarely within Scripture’s wider portrayal of chariots and riding as both artifacts of human achievement and touchstones for divine commentary. In Ezekiel 27:20 it enriches the tapestry of Tyre’s trade, serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly splendor, and invites contemporary readers to place their confidence not in decorated conveyances but in the everlasting King who rides in righteousness. Forms and Transliterations לְרִכְבָּֽה׃ לרכבה׃ lə·riḵ·bāh lerichBah ləriḵbāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 27:20 HEB: בְבִגְדֵי־ חֹ֖פֶשׁ לְרִכְבָּֽה׃ NAS: with you in saddlecloths for riding. KJV: in precious clothes for chariots. INT: clothes precious riding 1 Occurrence |
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