Lexical Summary raq: Only, but, nevertheless, except Original Word: רַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance emaciated, thin, leanFrom raqaq in its original sense; emaciated (as if flattened out) -- lean((-fleshed)), thin. see HEBREW raqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition thin, only, altogether, surely NASB Translation alone* (4), except (4), except* (1), gaunt* (1), however (6), lean (2), moreover (1), never be anything (1), nevertheless (5), nothing (2), only (64), only* (1), sheer (1), still (1), surely (5), thin (1), those (1), though (1), yet (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs רַק 1. adjective thin; — feminine plural רַקּוֺת, of kine, Genesis 41:19,20,27 ("" Genesis 41:3; Genesis 41:4 דַּקּוֺת). 2109 adverb with restrictive force, only, altogether, surely (synonym אַךְ); — a. only, Genesis 14:24; Genesis 41:40 רַק הַכִּסֵּא אֶגְדַּל מִמֶּךָּ only as regards the throne, etc., Genesis 47:22 רַק אַדְמַת הַכֹּהֲנִים לֹא קָנָה, Genesis 50:8; Exodus 8:5 רַק בַּיְאֹר תִּשָּׁאַרְנָה, Exodus 10:17 וְיָסֵר מֵעָלַי רַק הַמָּוֶת הַזֶּה only this death, Deuteronomy 2:35 (compare Deuteronomy 20:14; Joshua 8:2,27), Joshua 3:11; Judges 6:39 (compare אַךְ ib. Genesis 18:32; Exodus 10:17), Exodus 11:34 (circumstantial clause) רַק הִיא יְחִידָה (there being) only she, an only one, 1 Samuel 1:13; Amos 3:2 רק אתכם ידעתי only you have I known, etc., Job 1:15,16,17,19 וָאִמָּֽלְטָה רַק אֲנִי לְבַדִּי I only, Psalm 91:8 #NAME?אַךְ, Numbers 12:2 ׳הֲרַק אַךְבְּֿמשֶׁה דִּבֶּר י. And separated (as sometimes in English) from the word actually emphasized, Proverbs 13:10 רִק בְּזָדוֺן יִתֵּן מַצָּה by pride there only cometh [נָתַן 1z] contention. b. prefixed to sentences, to add a limitation on something previously expressed (or implied), Genesis 19:8 only to these men do nothing, Genesis 24:8 רִק אֶתבְּֿנִי לֹאתָֿהֵ֫נָּה, Exodus 8:24 I will let you go . . ., only go not far, Exodus 8:25; Numbers 20:19 only — it is nothing — let me pass through on my feet (compare Deuteronomy 2:28); especially in Deuteronomic writers, as Deuteronomy 10:15; Deuteronomy 12:15; Deuteronomy 20:16; 1 Kings 3:2,3(compare 2 Kings 12:4; 2 Kings 14:4; 2 Kings 15:4,35), 2 Kings 8:19; 2 Kings 11:13; 2 Kings 15:14,23; 2 Kings 3:2 (compare 2 Kings 14:3; 2 Kings 17:2), etc., Isaiah 4:1; emphasizing a command, Deuteronomy 4:9; Deuteronomy 12:16,23; Joshua 1:7,18; Joshua 6:18; Joshua 13:6; Joshua 22:5 (all D2). c. emphasizing single words, especially adjectives, only = nought but, altogether, Genesis 6:5 יֵצֶר מַחְשְׁבוֺת לִבּוֺ רִק רִע is only evil, i.e. exclusively evil, nought but evil, Genesis 26:29 עָשִׂינוּ עִמְּךָ רִק טוֺב nothing but good, Deuteronomy 28:33 וְהָיִיתָ רִק עָשׁוּק, Isaiah 28:19 רִק זְוָעָה it shall be nought but terror to, etc., 1 Kings 14:8 (compare אַךְ 2b β); followed by an adverb Deuteronomy 28:13 וְהָיִיתָ רִק לְמַ֫עְלָה above only; followed by a verb, Judges 14:16 thou dost but hate me. d. after a negative, save, except (synonym כִּי אִם 2a), 1 Kings 8:9 ( = 2 Chronicles 5:10) אֵין בָּאָרוֺן רִק שְׁנֵי לֻהוֺת הָאֲבָנִים, 2 Chron 15:5; 22:16 ( = 2 Chronicles 18:15), 2 Kings 17:18. e. with an affirmative, asseverative force, only, altogether = surely, Genesis 20:11 רַק אֵין יִרְאַת אלהים במקום הזה, Deuteronomy 4:6 (so EV; but Ges populus mere sapiens, so Di), 1 Kings 21:25; 2Chronicles 28:10; Psalm 32:6 רִק לְשֶׁטֶף מים רבים אליו לא יַגִּ֑יעוּ. f. רִק אִם (רִק prefixed for emphasis) if only, provided only, Deuteronomy 15:5 ׳רִק אִם שׁמוע תשׁמע וג, 1 Kings 8:25 ( = 2 Chronicles 6:16) רִק אִם ישׁמרו בניך דרכם ׳ללכת וג, 2 Kings 21:8 ( = 2 Chronicles 33:8). Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew adjective רַק appears only three times, all within Genesis 41, to describe the “lean” or “gaunt” cows of Pharaoh’s dream. Though limited in distribution, its vivid imagery conveys a message of extreme deprivation that becomes pivotal in the narrative of Joseph, the preservation of Israel, and the demonstration of divine sovereignty over nations and seasons. Occurrences in Scripture • Genesis 41:19 – “After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny, very ugly, and thin—such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt for ugliness.” Word Study and Imagery רַק paints a picture of wasting and frailty. The gaunt cattle are a visual antithesis to the earlier “healthy and well-fed” cows, dramatizing the coming contrast between abundance and scarcity. By repeating the adjective in rapid succession, Scripture intensifies the foreboding tone of Pharaoh’s dream and prepares the listener for its national implications. Historical Context Pharaoh’s dream occurs in a period when the Nile’s annual flooding determined Egypt’s prosperity. A run of poor inundations could devastate crops and livestock. The “lean” cows therefore resonated with Egyptian experience, yet the dream’s interpretation lay beyond Egypt’s courtly wisdom and awaited Joseph. His God-given insight not only explains the symbol but institutes an administrative plan—storing grain during years of plenty—that elevates him to power (Genesis 41:39-41), safeguards multitudes, and eventually enables Jacob’s household to migrate to Goshen. Theological Themes 1. Divine Foreknowledge and Providence: The appearance of רַק cows heralds an ordained famine. God both reveals and governs future events, underscoring Amos 3:7 that He “does nothing without revealing His counsel.” Practical and Ministry Applications • Stewardship and Planning: Believers are reminded to discern seasons and plan wisely, balancing faith in God’s provision with diligent preparation (Proverbs 6:6-8). Christological and Redemptive Connections Joseph, raised from the dungeon to the throne, prefigures Christ who rose from death to rule (Acts 2:32-33). As Joseph supplies bread to the hungry world, Jesus proclaims, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). The lean cows announce a famine that drives nations to Joseph; the greater spiritual famine drives sinners to the Savior who alone satisfies. Summary רַק, though restricted to three verses, serves as a catalyst for one of Genesis’ most significant redemptive events. The lean cows dramatize impending calamity, propel Joseph to prominence, and set the stage for God’s larger covenant purposes. The adjective thus reminds readers that even small details in Scripture carry weighty theological and practical implications, calling God’s people to vigilance, wisdom, and unwavering trust in every season—fat or lean. Forms and Transliterations הָֽרַקּ֨וֹת הָרַקּ֖וֹת הרקות וְרַקּ֣וֹת ורקות hā·raq·qō·wṯ harakKot hāraqqōwṯ verakKot wə·raq·qō·wṯ wəraqqōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 41:19 HEB: תֹּ֛אַר מְאֹ֖ד וְרַקּ֣וֹת בָּשָׂ֑ר לֹֽא־ NAS: ugly and gaunt, such INT: favoured and very thin I had never Genesis 41:20 Genesis 41:27 3 Occurrences |
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