Lexical Summary Raqqon: Raqqon Original Word: רַקּוֹן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rakkon From raq; thinness; Rakkon, a place in Palestine -- Rakkon. see HEBREW raq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raqaq Definition a city in Dan near Joppa NASB Translation Rakkon (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רַקּוֺן proper name, of a location in Dan, ׳הָר Joshua 19:46, probably doublet of הַיַּרְקוֺן, omitted by ᵐ5 Benn Steuern, compare Di. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Rakkon lay on the southern fringe of the fertile Sharon Plain, near the Mediterranean coast and opposite the ancient harbor city of Joppa (modern Jaffa). Its position placed it between the Yarkon River to the south and the later Greco-Roman site of Apollonia-Arsuf to the north, an area that controlled the coastal road linking Egypt and Syria. The flat terrain, ample water, and proximity to maritime trade routes made the locale strategically valuable for agriculture, commerce, and defense. Biblical Occurrence Joshua 19:46 lists Rakkon among the inheritance of the tribe of Dan: “Me-jarkon and Rakkon, including the territory across from Joppa” (Berean Standard Bible). The verse groups Rakkon with coastal settlements that formed the westernmost boundary of Dan’s allotted land. The tribe, however, struggled to hold this shoreline against Philistine pressure (Judges 1:34; 1 Samuel 5:10), a tension that ultimately contributed to Dan’s later migration northward (Judges 18). Historical Significance 1. Tribal Boundaries: Rakkon marks the limit of Israel’s coastal claim in the south-central plain. Its mention underscores the comprehensiveness of God’s promise that every tribe would receive a distinct inheritance (Joshua 13–21). Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Witness Scholars commonly associate Rakkon with Tel Arshaf (Apollonia-Arsuf) or a nearby mound overlooking the Mediterranean bluff. Late Bronze Age pottery, fortification walls, and industrial installations at the site confirm continuous occupation from Canaanite through Crusader periods. The Hellenistic name “Apollonia” supplanted earlier Semitic toponyms, but stratified remains testify to a thriving settlement in the era of the Judges and United Monarchy. Such discoveries harmonize with Joshua’s record, showing that coastal towns were prosperous long before the Greeks arrived. Theological Themes and Ministry Implications 1. Covenant Faithfulness: The listing of a single, otherwise obscure town in Scripture attests to God’s detailed faithfulness. Every boundary stone mattered, symbolizing the meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises. Practical Application for Believers • Value the “small places.” Even a lesser-known town like Rakkon stands enrolled in God’s redemptive plan. No ministry assignment is insignificant when ordained by Him. Forms and Transliterations וְהָֽרַקּ֑וֹן והרקון veharakKon wə·hā·raq·qō·wn wəhāraqqōwnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:46 HEB: וּמֵ֥י הַיַּרְק֖וֹן וְהָֽרַקּ֑וֹן עִֽם־ הַגְּב֖וּל NAS: and Me-jarkon and Rakkon, with the territory KJV: And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border INT: and Me-jarkon and Rakkon with the territory 1 Occurrence |
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