רָגַל

râgal /raw-gal'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningalso as denominative from רֶגֶל; to walk along; but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer (i.e. slander); to lead about
KJV usagebackbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râgal, represented by H7270, is a primitive root primarily used in specific applications of reconnaissance and harmful speech. Its meanings include to spy, reconnoiter, slander, and backbite. It appears 25 times across 24 unique verses, often in contexts of military intelligence, political suspicion, and personal integrity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7270 is used in two distinct but related ways. The most common usage is for the act of spying or reconnaissance. For example, Joshua sent two men "to spy secretly" into the land of Jericho before the conquest Joshua 2:1. Similarly, Joseph accuses his brothers of being spies H7270, claiming they have come "to see the nakedness H6172 of the land" Genesis 42:9. The second usage relates to destructive speech. A righteous person is described in Psalms as one who does not backbite H7270 with his tongue Psalms 15:3, and Mephibosheth's servant is accused of having slandered H7270 him to King David 2 Samuel 19:27.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which râgal is used:

  • H7971 shâlach (to send away, for, or out): This word frequently precedes the act of spying, as leaders send H7971 spies to gather information. It is used when Joshua sent men to Jericho Joshua 2:1 and when David sent out spies to confirm Saul's arrival 1 Samuel 26:4.
  • H2713 châqar (to examine intimately): Often used in parallel with H7270, this word emphasizes a thorough and penetrating investigation. The Danites were sent "to spy H7270 out the land, and to search H2713 it" Judges 18:2.
  • H7200 râʼâh (to see, view): This word highlights the visual goal of reconnaissance. The spies sent by Joshua were commanded to "Go view H7200 the land" Joshua 2:1.
  • H3956 lâshôwn (the tongue): This word is directly linked to the slanderous application of H7270, specifying the instrument of backbiting in the description of a righteous individual Psalms 15:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7270 is found in its exploration of intent and integrity.

  • Covert Investigation: The act of spying is portrayed as a necessary, though risky, tool for fulfilling God's purposes, as with the spies in Jericho Joshua 6:25. However, it is also a tool for rebellion, as when Absalom sent H7971 spies throughout Israel to orchestrate his rise to power 2 Samuel 15:10.
  • The Morality of Speech: The use of H7270 for slander places it in direct opposition to righteous living. A person fit to dwell in God's presence is one who does not backbite H7270, do evil H7451 to his neighbor, or take up a reproach H2781 Psalms 15:3.
  • Suspicion and Vulnerability: The accusation of being a spy H7270 is often tied to the fear of having one's weakness exposed. The Ammonite princes believed David's men were sent "to spy it out H7270, and to overthrow H2015 it" 2 Samuel 10:3, revealing a deep-seated mistrust.

Summary

In summary, H7270 is a focused term that encompasses both the clandestine gathering of information and the destructive power of malicious speech. It moves between the contexts of military strategy, where men are sent to spy out a land Numbers 21:32, and personal ethics, where one is warned not to slander 2 Samuel 19:27. The word illustrates how the same root concept—a close, penetrating observation—can be applied for either righteous fulfillment or moral failure.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 26 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Participle Plural Masculine Absolute 12×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 8×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Tiphil Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 24 verses across 9 books. Most frequent in Genesis (7 verses).

7
Genesis
1
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
6
Joshua
3
Judges
1
1 Samuel
3
2 Samuel
1
1 Chronicles
1
Psalms

Verse Explorer

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