English · KJV
H3422

יְרַקְרַק

yᵉraqraq /yer-ak-rak'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the same as יֶרֶק
Meaningyellowishness
KJV usagegreenish, yellow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yᵉraqraq — 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 Hebrew word yᵉraqraq, represented by H3422, describes a color that is greenish or yellow. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. While infrequent, its usage is notable for its dual application, representing both a sign of contamination and an image of beautiful adornment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the context of Levitical law, H3422 is used to identify a potential sign of leprosy H6883. A greenish H3422 or reddish H125 plague H5061 found in a garment H899, on skin H5785, or on the walls H7023 of a house H1004 required priestly inspection (Leviticus 13:49, Leviticus 14:37). In contrast, Psalms uses the term to create a beautiful image, describing the feathers H84 of a dove H3123 as shining with yellow H3422 gold H2742 Psalms 68:13.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the contexts in which H3422 is found:

  • H125 ʼădamdâm (reddish): This word appears directly alongside H3422 in Leviticus to describe the colors of a leprous plague H5061, appearing as either greenish H3422 or reddish (Leviticus 13:49, Leviticus 14:37).
  • H5061 negaʻ (plague): This term refers to the sore H5061 or plague H5061 whose greenish H3422 color is a key diagnostic sign for the priest H3548 in determining the presence of leprosy Leviticus 13:49.
  • H6883 tsâraʻath (leprosy): The appearance of a greenish H3422 spot is identified as a plague of leprosy H6883, a condition of significant physical and ceremonial uncleanness Leviticus 13:49.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H3422 is tied to its contrasting applications:

  • Sign of Defilement: In the Mosaic law, the color greenish H3422 is a visual indicator of corruption or decay. Its presence in a garment H899 or a house H1004 is treated as a serious contamination, a physical manifestation of a plague H5061 that requires purification or destruction Leviticus 14:37.
  • Symbol of Divine Beauty: Conversely, in Psalms, the color yellow H3422 is associated with precious gold H2742. It illustrates a promise of transformation, where those who have "lien among the pots" will become like a dove H3123 covered H2645 with silver H3701 and yellow H3422 gold, signifying honor and divine favor Psalms 68:13.
  • Visual Judgment: The word underscores the biblical theme of appearance and discernment. A specific color can be the basis for a critical judgment by a priest H3548 or a poetic symbol of God's blessing, showing that physical sight is linked to spiritual understanding.

Summary

In summary, yᵉraqraq H3422 is a highly specific descriptive term whose meaning is defined by its context. It serves as a stark sign of leprosy H6883 and uncleanness within the legal texts of Leviticus, while also functioning as a beautiful image of wealth and divine restoration in the poetry of Psalms. This demonstrates how a single word for color can convey powerful, opposing concepts of corruption and blessing.

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 Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as an adjective across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יְרַקְרַקֹּת
  • יְרַקְרַק
  • ירַקְרַק

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.

H6883 צָרַעַת from צָרַע; leprosy; leprosy. H125 אֲדַמְדָּם reduplicated from אָדַם; reddish; (somewhat) reddish. H5061 נֶגַע from נָגַע; a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress); pla H899 בֶּגֶד from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment, H5785 עוֹר from עוּר; skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather; hide, leather, skin. H7023 קִיר or קִר; (Isaiah 22:5), or (feminine) קִירָה; from קוּר; a wall (as built in a trench); [phrase] mason, side, town, [idio

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

Appears in 3 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus (2 verses); never once in the other 37.

2
Leviticus
1
Psalms

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, by grammatical form, 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.