Lexical Summary rokes: Fastener, clasp Original Word: רֹכֶס Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pride From rakac; a snare (as of tied meshes) -- pride. see HEBREW rakac NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rakas Definition perhaps conspiracy NASB Translation conspiracies (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רֹ֫כֶס] noun [masculine] dubious, Thes Hup-Now snare, or band (Dr banding together), or (most) league, conspiracy (RV plottings); Ol reads derivatives of רכל = slander, so (רְכִילֵי) Che Du; Bae despairs; — plural construct רֻכְסֵיאִֿישׁ Psalm 31:21 ("" דִיב לְשֹׁנוֺת). Topical Lexicon Occurrence in Scripture Strong’s Hebrew 7407 appears only once, in Psalm 31:20. The Berean Standard Bible renders the clause, “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men,” where “schemes” translates רֹכֶס. Context within Psalm 31 Psalm 31 is a Davidic prayer that moves from distress and lament to confident praise. David recounts repeated threats to his life and reputation, then celebrates God’s sure protection. By using רֹכֶס, he gathers every form of clandestine hostility—plots, intrigues, whisper campaigns—under one word. God’s answer is to “hide” and “conceal” His faithful ones, placing their safety beyond human reach. Theological Themes 1. Human Conspiracy versus Divine Counsel Relation to Other Biblical Terms Though unique, רֹכֶס stands beside synonyms: The cluster shows that Scripture treats secret planning for harm as characteristic of the wicked. Historical Background David’s life featured true conspiracies—from Saul’s pursuit (1 Samuel 23:19-23) to Absalom’s coup (2 Samuel 15:12-13). Psalm 31 may arise from one such season. The rarity of רֹכֶס suggests an attempt to capture the psychological weight of being hunted by unseen strategists. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Pastoral Care under False Accusation Christological and Eschatological Connections • The chief priests and elders “plotted to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him” (Matthew 26:3-4), a New Testament echo of רֹכֶס. Yet God’s sovereign design triumphed in the resurrection (Acts 2:23-24). Summary of Teaching רֹכֶס embodies the covert hostility of fallen humanity. Psalm 31:20 assures believers that God’s presence is an unassailable refuge from such conspiracy. The term therefore invites confident trust, ethical transparency, and hope that every secret plot is already under the all-seeing governance of the Lord. Forms and Transliterations מֵֽרֻכְסֵ֫י מרכסי mê·ruḵ·sê meruchSei mêruḵsêLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 31:20 HEB: בְּסֵ֥תֶר פָּנֶיךָ֮ מֵֽרֻכְסֵ֫י אִ֥ישׁ תִּצְפְּנֵ֥ם NAS: of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; KJV: of thy presence from the pride of man: INT: the secret of your presence the conspiracies of man keep 1 Occurrence |
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