English · KJV
G4477

Ῥαχάβ

Rhacháb /hrakh-ab'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the same as Ῥαάβ
MeaningRachab, a Canaanitess
KJV usageRachab.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Rhacháb — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word Rhacháb, represented by G4477, identifies Rachab, a Canaanitess. It appears 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its sole usage places her as a key maternal figure in a significant biblical genealogy.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, G4477 is used exclusively within the genealogy recorded in Matthew. The verse establishes her place in the lineage: "Salmon G4533 begat G1080 Booz G1003 of G1537 Rachab G4477" Matthew 1:5. Through this statement, she is identified as the mother of Booz.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide context for Rachab's role in the lineage:

  • G4533 Salmṓn (Salmon, an Israelite): The father of Rachab's son, Booz. The genealogy also identifies Salmon as the son of Naasson Matthew 1:4.
  • G1003 Boóz (Booz, an Israelite): The son of Salmon and Rachab. He, in turn, is the father of Obed Matthew 1:5.
  • G4503 Rhoúth (Ruth, a Moabitess): The woman through whom Booz begat Obed. Her inclusion as a Moabitess is noted in the same genealogical list as Rachab Matthew 1:5.
  • G1080 gennáō (to procreate, bear, beget): This verb is used to establish the generational links, defining Rachab's role as one who gives birth to the next person in the line Matthew 1:5.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G4477 is tied to its placement within this specific genealogy.

  • Inclusion in the Lineage: The single mention of G4477 solidifies Rachab's place in the genealogy recorded in the Gospel of Matthew Matthew 1:5.
  • Ancestress of Key Figures: The lineage continues from her son Booz to Obed, and then to Jesse Matthew 1:5. Jesse is identified as the father of David the king Matthew 1:6.
  • Canaanitess in an Israelite Line: The definition for G4477 explicitly identifies her as a Canaanitess. She appears in the same lineage as G4503 Rhoúth, who is identified as a Moabitess Matthew 1:5.

Summary

In summary, G4477 Rhacháb is a name whose significance is derived entirely from its single appearance in scripture. While mentioned only once, her position as a Canaanitess and the mother of Booz makes her an important figure in the ancestral line that includes Jesse and David the king Matthew 1:5-6. Her inclusion highlights a specific link in the chain of generations recorded in the Bible.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Genitive Singular Feminine Individual 1×
Genitive
Possession or source — often "of".
Singular
One.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G4533 Σαλμών of Hebrew origin (שַׂלְמוֹן); Salmon, an Israelite:--Salmon. G1080 γεννάω from a variation of γένος; to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to rege G1003 Βοόζ of Hebrew origin (בֹּעַז); Booz, (i.e. Boaz), an Israelite:--Booz. G1537 ἐκ a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; G4503 Ῥούθ of Hebrew origin (רוּת); Ruth, a Moabitess:--Ruth.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Matthew — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.