Lexical Summary raqach: To mix, compound, or prepare (as in ointments or perfumes) Original Word: רָקַח 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 Origina 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, MeissnSuppl. 90, compare rikkê, DlHWB 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 Overview The verb רָקַח occurs seven times in Scripture, uniformly describing the deliberate compounding of sacred or fragrant mixtures. Whether in sanctuary service, priestly duty, wisdom instruction, or prophetic metaphor, the term underscores careful preparation of a substance meant to influence its surroundings—either with a holy fragrance or, when mishandled, with stench and judgment. Cultic Significance in Exodus In Exodus 30:25 Moses is commanded to “Prepare from these a holy anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer; it will be a holy anointing oil”. The same verb appears again in verses 33 and 35, emphasizing that the oil and incense were not casual concoctions but “the work of a perfumer,” a skillful, exact process guided by divine specification. The oil set apart priests, furnishings, and ultimately the entire tabernacle complex, declaring them holy to the LORD. Because the fragrance symbolized the pleasing acceptance of Israel’s worship, any unauthorized duplication incurred the severest penalty: “Anyone who mixes perfume like it or puts it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people” (Exodus 30:33). The verb thus stands at the intersection of craftsmanship and consecration, reminding Israel that worship is both art and obedience. Guarded Sanctity of the Holy Anointing Oil and Incense Exodus 30 insists that the formula for the anointing oil and the incense remain exclusive to covenant worship. By employing רָקַח the text highlights: Craftsmanship and the Levitical Charge (1 Chronicles 9:30) Centuries later, custodianship of these sacred recipes abides among returned-exile Levites: “Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices” (1 Chronicles 9:30). Continuity of the verb signals continuity of covenant worship. These priests did not innovate; they safeguarded what had been delivered. Their ministry models how faithful service protects the purity of worship from generation to generation. Wisdom Literature: Fragrance and Folly (Ecclesiastes 10:1) “As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor”. Here רָקַח becomes a moral mirror. Just as a single contaminant ruins an entire batch of expensive perfume, a moment’s foolishness can nullify a reputation forged by years of godly conduct. The verse draws on the recognized value—and vulnerability—of the perfumer’s craft to illustrate the fragile nature of wisdom’s fragrance in everyday life. Prophetic Imagery (Ezekiel 24:10) In Ezekiel’s parable of the boiling pot, the verb surfaces unexpectedly: “Heap on the logs, kindle the fire, cook the meat well, mix in the spices, and let the bones be charred”. The action mimics festive preparation, yet the context is judgment on Jerusalem. The same skill that once produced sanctuary fragrance now seasons the symbolic stew of divine wrath. The contrast intensifies the indictment: Israel’s corruption has inverted its original call to holiness. Theological and Christological Reflections 1. Aroma of Christ. The New Testament later declares, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15). The carefully compounded oil foreshadows the perfect obedience and sacrificial death of Jesus, in whom every ingredient of redemption is blended without deficiency. Applications for Contemporary Ministry • Guard the Gospel’s purity; dilution or alteration, however slight, pollutes the fragrance of Christ. 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 yirqaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Exodus 30:35 Exodus 37:29 1 Chronicles 9:30 Ecclesiastes 10:1 Ezekiel 24:10 7 Occurrences |
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