7401. rakak

Lexicon

rakak: To be tender, soft, or weak

Original Word: רָכַךְ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rakak
Pronunciation: rah-KAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kak')
Definition: To be tender, soft, or weak
Meaning: to soften

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 Origin
a 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

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G770 (ἀσθενέω, astheneō): To be weak, to be sick
• G1590 (ἐκλύω, ekluō): To loose, to release, to relax
• G1788 (ἐντρέπω, entrepō): To turn about, to change, to respect
• G2007 (ἐπιτίθημι, epitithēmi): To lay upon, to place upon

These Greek entries reflect similar themes of change, transformation, and the alteration of states, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, aligning with the Hebrew concept of softening as expressed by רָכַךְ (rāḵaḵ).

Usage: The verb רָכַךְ (rāḵaḵ) is used in the Hebrew Bible to convey the idea of softening, either in a literal or figurative sense. It can refer to the physical softening of materials or the metaphorical softening of attitudes or emotions.

Context: The Hebrew verb רָכַךְ (rāḵaḵ) appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, often describing a process of making something less hard or more pliable. This can be applied to physical objects, such as metals or materials, as well as to human emotions and attitudes. For example, in the context of human emotions, it can describe a heart that becomes tender or compassionate. The term is used to illustrate the transformation from a state of hardness or rigidity to one of softness and flexibility.

In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of softening is often associated with divine intervention or moral transformation. For instance, God may soften the hearts of individuals to make them receptive to His will or to foster reconciliation and understanding among people. This softening is not merely a physical change but often signifies a deeper, spiritual or emotional transformation.

The usage of רָכַךְ (rāḵaḵ) in the Old Testament underscores the importance of adaptability and openness to change, both in physical and spiritual realms. It highlights the potential for renewal and transformation, whether it be in the context of personal growth or in the broader scope of divine influence on human affairs.

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 yêraḵ

Englishman'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
HEB: יַ֠עַן רַךְ־ לְבָ֨בְךָ֜ וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע ׀
NAS: your heart was tender and you humbled yourself
KJV: Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled
INT: because was tender your heart humbled

2 Chronicles 34:27
HEB: יַ֠עַן רַךְ־ לְבָ֨בְךָ֜ וַתִּכָּנַ֣ע ׀
NAS: your heart was tender and you humbled
KJV: Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble
INT: Because was tender your heart humbled

Job 23:16
HEB: וְ֭אֵל הֵרַ֣ךְ לִבִּ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י
NAS: [who] has made my heart faint, And the Almighty
KJV: maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty
INT: God faint my heart and the Almighty

Psalm 55:21
HEB: וּֽקֲרָב־ לִ֫בּ֥וֹ רַכּ֖וּ דְבָרָ֥יו מִשֶּׁ֗מֶן
NAS: His words were softer than
KJV: his words were softer than oil,
INT: was war his heart were softer his words oil

Isaiah 1:6
HEB: חֻבָּ֔שׁוּ וְלֹ֥א רֻכְּכָ֖ה בַּשָּֽׁמֶן׃
NAS: Nor softened with oil.
KJV: neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
INT: bandaged Nor softened oil

Isaiah 7:4
HEB: וּלְבָבְךָ֙ אַל־ יֵרַ֔ךְ מִשְּׁנֵ֨י זַנְב֧וֹת
NAS: fear and do not be fainthearted because
KJV: fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two
INT: heart no faint two stubs

Jeremiah 51:46
HEB: וּפֶן־ יֵרַ֤ךְ לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְתִֽירְא֔וּ
NAS: that your heart does not grow faint, And you are not afraid
KJV: And lest your heart faint, and ye fear
INT: now so grow your heart afraid

8 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7401
8 Occurrences

hê·raḵ — 1 Occ.
raḵ- — 2 Occ.
rak·kū — 1 Occ.
ruk·kə·ḵāh — 1 Occ.
yê·raḵ — 3 Occ.