Lexical Summary rakak: To be tender, soft, or weak Original Word: רָכַךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be fainthearted, mollify, be, make softer, be tender A primitive root; to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively -- (be) faint((-hearted)), mollify, (be, make) soft(-er), be tender. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be tender, weak or soft NASB Translation faint (1), fainthearted* (3), grow faint (1), softened (1), softer (1), tender (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רָכַךְ] verb be tender, weak, soft (Arabic  Aramaic רְכַךְ (in derived species and derivatives),  , id.); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular רַךְ 2 Kings 22:19; 2Chronicles 34:27; 3 plural רַכּוּ Psalm 55:22; Imperfect יֵרַךְ (Ges§ 67p) Isaiah 7:4 +; — 1 be tender, weak, of heart : a. be timid, fearful, "" יַרֵא, Isaiah 7:4; Jeremiah 51:46; Deuteronomy 20:3. b. be softened, penitent, "" כָּנַע Niph`al, 2 Kings 22:19 2Chronicles 34:27. 2 be soft, of treacherous words Psalm 55:22 (with מִן compare; "" II. חָלַק). Pu`al Perfect3feminine singular רֻכְּכָה Isaiah 1:6 it has not been softened, mollified, with oil (of wound, מַכָּךְ). Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular וְאֵל הֵרַךְ לִבִּי Job 23:16 (Ges§ 67v), causative of Qal 1 a. Topical Lexicon Root Meaning and Nuances רָכַךְ depicts a movement from firmness to softness, whether in physical texture, emotional state, or moral disposition. The Old Testament employs the verb for (1) a yielding, compassionate heart, (2) a faint or fearful spirit, and (3) the gentling or soothing of wounds. Context decides whether the softening is commendable (humility) or culpable (cowardice or duplicity). Occurrences and Theological Themes 1. Deuteronomy 20:3 – a call to courage in battle. Hearts Made Tender Before God The twin narratives in 2 Kings 22:19 and 2 Chronicles 34:27 present רָכַךְ as spiritual pliability. Josiah’s “tender heart” receives prophetic rebuke, tears over sin, and gains divine reprieve. True repentance requires the hard heart to be softened; hence the prophets repeatedly urge, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12). רָכַךְ here honors the Lord, revealing that spiritual sensitivity invites mercy. Faintheartedness in Warfare and Crisis Deuteronomy 20:3 instructs Israel’s soldiers, “Do not be fainthearted…; do not fear, panic, or tremble.” The same exhortation appears in Isaiah 7:4 and Jeremiah 51:46 as Assyrian and Babylonian threats loom. In each case רָכַךְ marks an inner collapse that precedes defeat. Scripture consistently insists that confidence rests not in numerical strength but in covenant faithfulness; fearfulness signals a functional unbelief. Soothed and Softened: Imagery of Oil Isaiah 1:6 laments a national body covered with wounds “not…soothed with oil.” Here רָכַךְ conveys therapeutic relief withheld because of unrepentant sin. The verse underscores the healing God stands ready to give when His people turn back to Him (Isaiah 30:26). Oil, a traditional Near-Eastern remedy, foreshadows the Spirit’s renewing ministry. Warning Against Deceptive Soft Speech Psalm 55:21 exposes treachery: “His words are softer than oil, yet they are unsheathed swords.” רָכַךְ thus warns that gentleness of tone can mask violence of intent. The righteous must discern substance over style, recalling that wisdom from above is “without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Prophetic Assurance Amid National Upheaval In Jeremiah 51:46, rumors of revolt in Babylon tempt Judah’s exiles to despair, yet the hearers are told, “Do not let your heart grow faint.” Faith braces the heart even when geopolitical events appear chaotic, reaffirming divine sovereignty over history (Daniel 4:17). Practical Ministry Implications • Pastoral care seeks a רָכַךְ heart toward Scripture—pliable to conviction, quick to mourn sin, eager for renewal. Christological and New Covenant Reflections Jesus embodies holy tenderness: “A bruised reed He will not break” (Matthew 12:20). Yet He also resists faintheartedness, setting His face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). At Pentecost, hearts were “cut” (Acts 2:37) and, by implication, softened for repentance. The Spirit sustains courage under persecution (2 Timothy 1:7) and heals wounded sinners, fulfilling the fullest sense of רָכַךְ for the redeemed community. Forms and Transliterations הֵרַ֣ךְ הרך יֵרַ֔ךְ יֵרַ֣ךְ יֵרַ֤ךְ ירך רַךְ־ רַכּ֖וּ רֻכְּכָ֖ה רך־ רכו רככה hê·raḵ heRach hêraḵ rach raḵ- rak·kū rakKu rakkū ruk·kə·ḵāh rukkeChah rukkəḵāh yê·raḵ yeRach yêraḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 20:3 HEB: אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אַל־ יֵרַ֣ךְ לְבַבְכֶ֗ם אַל־ NAS: today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, KJV: let not your hearts faint, fear INT: your enemies nay faint your hearts not 2 Kings 22:19 2 Chronicles 34:27 Job 23:16 Psalm 55:21 Isaiah 1:6 Isaiah 7:4 Jeremiah 51:46 8 Occurrences |
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