of Chaldee origin (compare רֵיק); O empty one, i.e. thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification):--Raca.
Transliteration:rhaká
Pronunciation:rhak-ah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ῥακά (rhaká, `{{G4469}}`) is a transliteration of an Aramaic term, which itself is related to the Hebrew root `{{H7386}}` (רֵיק - rêq). This root conveys the sense of "empty," "vain," or "worthless." Therefore, ῥακά literally means "empty one" or "empty-headed." However, its usage goes beyond a simple description of intellectual deficiency. As a term of "utter vilification," it functions as a severe insult, expressing profound contempt for another person, essentially declaring them to be devoid of worth, sense, or moral substance. It is an expression of utter disdain, dismissing the individual's very being as valueless.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ῥακά appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew:
* **[[Matthew 5:22]]**: "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire."
This verse is a pivotal part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, specifically within His teaching on the spirit of the Law concerning anger and murder. Jesus escalates the consequences for different levels of injurious intent and speech:
1. **Anger without cause:** An internal disposition, leading to "danger of the judgment" (referring to a local court).
2. **Calling someone "Raca!":** An outward expression of contempt, leading to "danger of the council" (referring to the Sanhedrin, a higher court). This indicates that such an insult was considered a grave offense, an attack on a person's dignity and standing within the community. It implies a deep-seated disrespect for the individual's inherent worth.
3. **Calling someone "You fool!" (μορέ - moré):** This term (distinct from ῥακά) often implies moral depravity, rebellion against God, or utter spiritual senselessness. Jesus declares this to be in "danger of hell fire," signifying the most severe spiritual consequence.
In this context, Jesus is not merely prohibiting specific words but addressing the heart attitude from which such words spring. To call someone "Raca" reveals a heart filled with contempt, a failure to recognize the divine image in another, and is akin to "murder" in its intent to diminish or destroy a person's dignity.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Aramaic/Hebrew Root:** The connection to `{{H7386}}` (רֵיק - rêq), meaning "empty" or "vain," underscores the core meaning of ῥακά as denoting someone perceived as worthless or devoid of substance.
* **Contrast with μορέ (moré):** While both ῥακά and μορέ are insults prohibited by Jesus in [[Matthew 5:22]], they carry distinct connotations. ῥακά focuses on the perceived worthlessness or emptiness of a person, often intellectually or socially. μορέ (translated "fool") in this context carries a stronger moral or spiritual condemnation, implying rebellion against God or profound moral depravity. Jesus' progression shows μορέ as the more severe offense.
* **General terms for foolishness:** Other Greek words like ἄφρων (aphrōn, "senseless," `{{G879}}`) or μωρός (mōros, "stupid," `{{G3474}}`) exist, but ῥακά is unique in its specific nuance of contemptuous dismissal.
* **Concepts:**
* **Dignity of Humanity:** Jesus' teaching implicitly affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, created in the image of God. To use ῥακά is to deny this God-given dignity.
* **Sins of the Tongue:** This passage strongly emphasizes the destructive power of speech and the serious spiritual implications of words, aligning with other biblical warnings about the tongue (e.g., [[James 3:1-12]]).
* **Heart Righteousness:** Jesus consistently shifts the focus from mere external obedience to the internal state of the heart. The condemnation of ῥακά highlights that sinful attitudes, even if expressed only through words, are judged by God.
### Theological Significance
The prohibition against using ῥακά carries profound theological weight:
* **The Sanctity of Human Dignity:** Jesus' teaching elevates the value of human life and dignity. To utter ῥακά is not merely a social impropriety but a spiritual offense, as it strips a person of their inherent worth bestowed by God. It reflects a heart that fails to see the *imago Dei* (image of God) in another, thereby dishonoring the Creator.
* **The Depth of God's Law:** This passage reveals that God's law extends beyond outward actions to the internal disposition of the heart. Anger, contemptuous thoughts, and demeaning words are treated with a seriousness comparable to the physical act of murder, demonstrating that God judges the heart and the root causes of sin.
* **The Destructive Power of Speech:** The escalating consequences in [[Matthew 5:22]] underscore the severe spiritual danger of malicious or contemptuous speech. Words have the power to destroy, to diminish, and to harm, and God holds individuals accountable for how they use their tongue.
* **The Nature of Christian Love:** The command to refrain from ῥακά is an implicit call to love one's neighbor as oneself, to honor them, and to speak words that build up rather than tear down. It stands in stark contrast to the contempt, division, and dehumanization that sin fosters.
### Summary
The Greek word ῥακά (rhaká, `{{G4469}}`), derived from an Aramaic root signifying "empty" or "worthless," functions as a potent term of utter contempt. Its singular New Testament appearance in [[Matthew 5:22]] is profoundly significant within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Here, Jesus condemns calling one's brother "Raca," presenting it as a serious offense, more severe than unrighteous anger and leading to the danger of the council. This teaching highlights Jesus' emphasis on the heart's attitude, revealing that contemptuous speech, born of a heart that devalues others, is a grave spiritual transgression. The prohibition of ῥακά underscores the sanctity of human dignity, the destructive power of the tongue, and the internal nature of true righteousness, calling believers to honor and esteem their fellow human beings rather than to demean them.
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