Lexical Summary Raqqath: Raqqath Original Word: רַקַּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Rakkath From raqaq in its original sense of diffusing; a beach (as expanded shingle); Rakkath, a place in Palestine -- Rakkath. see HEBREW raqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raqaq Definition a city in Naphtali NASB Translation Rakkath (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רַקַּת proper name, of a location in Naphtail, Joshua 19:35; ᵐ5 (Ομαθα) δακεθ, A Ρεκκαθ, ᵐ5L Ρακκαθ; a Jewish tradition identified with Tiberias, TalmJer. Megilla 2 b NbrGeogr. 208 f. BuhlGeogr. 226 GASmGerogr. 447. רָשׁ see רושׁ רשׁה (√of following; compare Late Hebrew Hiph`il permit, Hoph`al Ecclus 3:22; Jewish-Aramaic רְשָׁא have power, Aph`el permit; Old Aramaic רשי cause, occasion, Lzb370, Nabataean allowed, Idib.; Syriac Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Rakkath lay on the western shoreline of the Sea of Galilee, south-south-west of Chinnereth and adjacent to Hammath (modern Hamat-Tiberias). The name itself evokes a “shore” or “bank,” and the single biblical mention places it squarely among the fortified towns allotted to Naphtali (Joshua 19:35). Its coastal location implies access to fresh water, fishing, and the north–south caravan route that skirted the lake, making the site strategic for commerce and defense. Historical Context in Joshua When Joshua distributed the land by lot, Naphtali received a string of fortified sites guarding the Sea’s western flank. Rakkath, together with Hammath and Chinnereth, formed a defensive arc protecting the fertile Plain of Gennesaret. The fortified designation indicates walls, gates, and military readiness—an answer to the Canaanite enclaves that persisted in Galilee (Judges 1:33). The listing underscores God’s covenant faithfulness: each tribe gained tangible inheritance in fulfillment of His promise (Genesis 12:7; Joshua 21:45). Link to Later Galilean History Jewish tradition and some scholars associate Rakkath with the nucleus of later Tiberias (founded by Herod Antipas about A.D. 18). Even if Tiberias did not sit precisely on Rakkath’s ruins, the proximity means the earlier town prepared the ground—literally and culturally—for a future regional capital. By New Testament times the western shoreline thrived with fishing villages such as Magdala, Capernaum, and Bethsaida, all within a short sail of ancient Rakkath. Thus the solitary Old Testament reference quietly anticipates the bustling Galilee that would host so much of the Messiah’s ministry. Prophetic and Redemptive Significance Isaiah foretold that “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali… Galilee of the nations, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:1-2). Rakkath—embedded in Naphtali’s inheritance—stood inside that prophetic geography. When Jesus later taught from boats, healed multitudes on these shores, and called fishermen to become “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), the ancient fortified town’s shoreline silhouette lay within the same horizon. The allotment to Naphtali therefore served not only tribal security but the stage on which the Light of the world would dawn. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Inheritance: Rakkath exemplifies how God parcels concrete places to His people, turning promise into territory (Joshua 21:45). Archaeological and Topographical Notes • Springs at Hammath and fertile plains nearby would have supported a sizable population. Ministry Applications • Stewardship of Place: Congregations are called to engage their locales intentionally, just as Naphtali had to secure and cultivate Rakkath. Key Scripture “Now the fortified cities include Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth” (Joshua 19:35). Forms and Transliterations רַקַּ֥ת רקת rakKat raq·qaṯ raqqaṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:35 HEB: צֵ֔ר וְחַמַּ֖ת רַקַּ֥ת וְכִנָּֽרֶת׃ NAS: and Hammath, Rakkath and Chinnereth, KJV: and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth, INT: Zer and Hammath Rakkath and Chinnereth 1 Occurrence |
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is usually blame; Assyrian rašû, possess, râšû, creditor; Arabic (
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be firm, IV. make firm; Ethiopic 
set, put in, place over, prepare, etc.; Sabean רשו servant of deity JHMordtmZMG xxx (1876), 31 f.).