7543. raqach

Lexicon

raqach: To mix, compound, or prepare (as in ointments or perfumes)

Original Word: רָקַח
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raqach
Pronunciation: rah-kakh'
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kakh')
Definition: To mix, compound, or prepare (as in ointments or perfumes)
Meaning: to perfume

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

apothecary, compound, make ointment, prepare, spice

A primitive root; to perfume -- apothecary, compound, make (ointment), prepare, spice.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to mix or compound oil or ointment
NASB Translation
blended (1), mix (1), mix in the spices (1), perfumer (3), perfumer's (1), perfumers'* (1), prepared (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[רָקַח] verb mix, or compound oil, ointment (perhaps denominative; in this case √ meaning unknown; Late Hebrew has מִרְקַחַת ointment; Phoenician רקח either spice-mixer (Bloch) or spice-dealer (Lzb); perhaps akin to Assyrian ri‡‡u, spice, Meissn^{Suppl. 90}, compare rikkê, Dl^{HWB 620}); —

Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יִרְקַח Exodus 30:33; Participle רֹקֵחַ Exodus 30:25; Exodus 30:35, ׳רוֺ Exodus 37:29; Ecclesiastes 10:1; plural construct רֹקְחֵי 1 Chronicles 9:39; — mix, compound, Exodus 30:33 (P; כָּמֹהוּ, i.e. anything like the holy oil); participle as substantive הַמִּרְקַחַת רֹקְחֵי 1 Chronicles 9:30 compounders of the ointment; as a professional name, mixer, perfumer, Exodus 30:25,35; Exodus 37:29; Ecclesiastes 10:1.

Pu`al Participle masculine plural מְרֻקָּחִים2Chronicles 16:14 mixed as ointment.

Hiph`il Infinitive absolute הַרְקַח הַמֶּרְקָחָה Ezekiel 24:10 ("" הָתֵם), as Imperative, spice the spicing (?), i.e. spice (the meat) well, but very dubious, Krae proposes חָרֵק הַמָּרָק empty out the broth.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The corresponding Greek entry related to the concept of making or preparing, particularly in the context of creating something with skill or craftsmanship, is Strong's Greek Number G4160 • ποιέω (poieo). This Greek verb encompasses a broad range of meanings, including to make, do, or create, and is used in various contexts throughout the New Testament.

Usage: The verb רָקַח is used in the context of preparing or compounding perfumes, ointments, or incense. It is often associated with the skilled art of mixing aromatic substances for sacred or ceremonial purposes.

Context: The Hebrew verb רָקַח (raqach) appears in the context of the ancient practice of perfumery, which was a significant aspect of both daily life and religious rituals in biblical times. The art of compounding perfumes and ointments was a specialized skill, often performed by apothecaries or perfumers. This process involved the careful mixing of various aromatic ingredients to create fragrances used in anointing oils, incense, and other ceremonial applications.

In the Old Testament, רָקַח is notably used in Exodus 30:25, where God instructs Moses on the preparation of the sacred anointing oil: "Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil." (BSB). This highlights the importance of precision and expertise in the preparation of substances used in worship and consecration.

The role of the perfumer was not only practical but also symbolic, as the fragrances created were often associated with holiness, purity, and the presence of the divine. The act of perfuming, therefore, carried both a literal and spiritual significance, underscoring the connection between the physical and the sacred in biblical worship practices.

Forms and Transliterations

וְהַרְקַח֙ והרקח יִרְקַ֣ח ירקח רֹקְחֵ֥י רֹקֵ֑חַ רֹקֵֽחַ׃ רוֹקֵ֑חַ רוקח רקח רקח׃ רקחי rō·qê·aḥ rō·qə·ḥê rō·w·qê·aḥ roKeach rokeChei rōqêaḥ rōqəḥê rōwqêaḥ veharKach wə·har·qaḥ wəharqaḥ yir·qaḥ yirKach yirqaḥ

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 30:25
HEB: מִרְקַ֖חַת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה רֹקֵ֑חַ שֶׁ֥מֶן מִשְׁחַת־
NAS: the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy
KJV: after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy
INT: mixture the art of a perfumer oil anointing

Exodus 30:33
HEB: אִ֚ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִרְקַ֣ח כָּמֹ֔הוּ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר
NAS: Whoever shall mix [any] like
KJV: Whosoever compoundeth [any] like it, or whosoever putteth
INT: or whoever shall mix like whoever

Exodus 30:35
HEB: רֹ֖קַח מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה רוֹקֵ֑חַ מְמֻלָּ֖ח טָה֥וֹר
NAS: the work of a perfumer, salted,
KJV: after the art of the apothecary, tempered
INT: A perfume the art of a perfumer salted pure

Exodus 37:29
HEB: טָה֑וֹר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֹקֵֽחַ׃ פ
NAS: of spices, the work of a perfumer.
KJV: according to the work of the apothecary.
INT: and the pure the work of a perfumer

1 Chronicles 9:30
HEB: בְּנֵי֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים רֹקְחֵ֥י הַמִּרְקַ֖חַת לַבְּשָׂמִֽים׃
NAS: of the priests prepared the mixing
KJV: of the priests made the ointment
INT: of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices

Ecclesiastes 10:1
HEB: יַבִּ֖יעַ שֶׁ֣מֶן רוֹקֵ֑חַ יָקָ֛ר מֵחָכְמָ֥ה
NAS: flies make a perfumer's oil
KJV: cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth
INT: forth oil A perfumer's is weightier wisdom

Ezekiel 24:10
HEB: הָתֵ֖ם הַבָּשָׂ֑ר וְהַרְקַח֙ הַמֶּרְקָחָ֔ה וְהָעֲצָמ֖וֹת
NAS: well And mix in the spices, And let the bones
KJV: the flesh, and spice it well,
INT: Boil the flesh and mix well the bones

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7543
7 Occurrences

rō·qê·aḥ — 4 Occ.
rō·qə·ḥê — 1 Occ.
wə·har·qaḥ — 1 Occ.
yir·qaḥ — 1 Occ.