from רָגַע; restful, i.e. peaceable; that are quiet.
Transliteration:râgêaʻ
Pronunciation:raw-gay'-ah
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H7282 (רָגֵעַ, râgêaʻ) is derived from the verbal root H7280 (רָגַע, râgaʻ). While the root H7280 can carry a dual semantic range, encompassing both "to disturb, agitate, tremble" and "to rest, make quiet, settle down," H7282 specifically draws from the latter, positive sense. It denotes a state of being "restful," "peaceable," or "quiet." This is not merely an absence of noise or activity, but rather a profound inner tranquility, a settled calm, or a state of being undisturbed. It describes a quality of stillness that is often associated with security, trust, and cessation from frantic effort.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H7282 appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly significant for understanding its nuance:
* **[[Isaiah 30:15]]**: "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling..."
In this pivotal verse, רָגֵעַ (râgêaʻ) is translated as "quietness" (ESV, NASB) or "rest" (KJV). The prophet Isaiah delivers a divine message to Judah, who are contemplating an alliance with Egypt for protection against Assyria. God's instruction is a profound counter-cultural command: salvation and strength will not be found in human military might, political maneuvering, or restless activity, but in a posture of "returning" (שֻׁובָה, shuvah, repentance/turning back to God) and "rest" (נוּחַ, nuach), and specifically in "quietness" (רָגֵעַ, râgêaʻ) and "trust" (בִּטְחָה, biṭḥâ). The "quietness" here implies a cessation of frantic, self-reliant efforts, a settling of the soul that comes from confident dependence on God alone. It stands in stark contrast to the agitated, restless spirit of those who seek human solutions apart from divine wisdom.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of H7282 is enriched by its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **Root H7280 (רָגַע, râgaʻ)**: As its direct etymological source, understanding the root's capacity to mean "to settle" or "to make quiet" is crucial. H7282 represents the *state* resulting from this quieting action.
* **H7951 (שָׁקַט, shāqaṭ)**: To be quiet, undisturbed, at rest. This term often describes a land at peace or a period of tranquility after conflict, similar to the "quietness" of H7282 but often with a broader application to external circumstances.
* **H5117 (נוּחַ, nûaḥ)**: To rest, settle down, be at ease. This word is often paired with H7282 in [[Isaiah 30:15]], emphasizing the physical and spiritual cessation from labor or anxiety.
* **H7965 (שָׁלוֹם, shalom)**: Peace, completeness, well-being. While shalom is a comprehensive term for holistic flourishing, râgêaʻ describes an internal state of quietude that is a vital component of true shalom.
* **H7959 (שָׁלַו, shālaw)**: To be at ease, prosperous, quiet. This term often speaks of a sense of security and freedom from disturbance.
H7282 specifically emphasizes the inner disposition of quietude and the cessation of agitated striving, particularly in the context of reliance upon God.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H7282 in [[Isaiah 30:15]] imbues it with profound theological weight. It presents "quietness" as a divinely ordained path to salvation and strength, contrasting sharply with human strategies of self-reliance and frantic activity.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Trust**: The call to râgêaʻ is an invitation to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty. True strength and salvation are not found in human ingenuity or power but in a quiet, trusting surrender to God's plan and provision.
2. **Spiritual Posture**: "Quietness" here is not passive inaction, but an active spiritual posture of faith. It implies a deliberate turning away from the world's clamor and one's own anxieties, choosing instead to rest in God's faithfulness. This quietness is a fruit of genuine repentance and a prerequisite for true reliance on God.
3. **Contrast with Human Striving**: The passage in Isaiah highlights a recurring biblical theme: the futility of human striving apart from God. The pursuit of "quietness" (râgêaʻ) requires a rejection of the world's false securities and a embracing of divine sufficiency.
4. **Source of Strength**: Paradoxically, strength is found not in exertion but in this quiet trust. This divine principle challenges conventional wisdom, asserting that true power emerges from a tranquil spirit anchored in God. It suggests that inner peace and stability are the foundations for enduring strength, even in the face of external threats.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H7282 (רָגֵעַ, râgêaʻ) signifies a state of being "restful," "peaceable," or "quiet." Derived from the root H7280 (רָגַע), it denotes a profound inner tranquility, a settled calm that arises from the cessation of agitation. Its singular appearance in [[Isaiah 30:15]] is highly significant, where it is presented as a divine command and a prerequisite for salvation and strength. In this context, râgêaʻ is not mere inactivity but a spiritual posture of confident trust and reliance upon God, contrasting sharply with the restless human tendency to seek security through self-effort or worldly alliances. It underscores the theological truth that true peace and enduring power are found in quiet submission to God's sovereign will.
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