Lexicon
raqaq: To spit
Original Word: רָקַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raqaq
Pronunciation: rah-KAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kak')
Definition: To spit
Meaning: to spit
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
spit
A primitive root; to spit -- spit.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto spit
NASB Translationspits (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. [
רָקַק]
verb spit (Late Hebrew, Aramaic
רְקַק,
, all = Biblical Hebrew); —
Qal Imperfect3masculine singular יָרֹק Leviticus 15:8, with ב of person spit upon. — compare יָרִק.
Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: A primitive root
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 1601: ἐκπτύω (ekptuō) • to spit out
• Strong's Greek Number 4429: πτύω (ptuō) • to spit
These Greek terms are used in the New Testament to convey similar acts of spitting, often in contexts of contempt or derision, paralleling the Hebrew usage.
Usage: The verb רָקַק (raqaq) is used in the context of spitting, often as an expression of contempt or rejection.
Context: The Hebrew verb רָקַק (raqaq) appears in the Old Testament to describe the physical act of spitting, which often carries a symbolic meaning of disdain or humiliation. In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, spitting was considered an act of great disrespect. This verb is used in several key passages:
• Numbers 12:14: "The LORD answered Moses, 'If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back.'" In this passage, the act of spitting is used metaphorically to describe the shame and disgrace that Miriam would have experienced, emphasizing the severity of her punishment.
• Deuteronomy 25:9: "Then his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal from his foot, spit in his face, and declare, ‘This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s house.’" Here, spitting is part of the levirate marriage ceremony, symbolizing public disgrace for a man who refuses to fulfill his familial duty.
• Job 30:10: "They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face." Job laments his social rejection and the contempt shown by others, with spitting serving as a vivid illustration of his degraded state.
• Isaiah 50:6: "I offered My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard; I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." This prophetic passage speaks of the suffering servant, highlighting the humiliation endured, with spitting as a key element of the scorn faced.
The act of spitting, as depicted in these passages, underscores themes of shame, rejection, and social ostracism, reflecting the cultural significance of this gesture in ancient Israelite society.
Forms and Transliterations
יָרֹ֛ק ירק yā·rōq yaRok yārōq
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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