רָחַב

râchab /raw-khab'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative)
KJV usagebe an en-(make) large(-ing), make room, make (open) wide.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râchab, represented by H7337, is a primitive root meaning to broaden or make wide. It appears 25 times across 25 unique verses in the Bible. The term is used in both a literal sense, referring to the expansion of physical space, and a figurative sense, describing concepts like deliverance, joy, and unrestrained desire.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H7337 is frequently used to describe God's blessing and provision. God promises to enlarge Israel's borders as they inherit the land (Exodus 34:24, Deuteronomy 12:20). After finding a well that was not contested, Isaac declared that the LORD had "made room for us" Genesis 26:22. Figuratively, it describes deliverance from hardship, as when the psalmist cries out to God, "thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress" Psalms 4:1. The term can also carry a negative connotation, describing how a proud man enlargeth his desire like hell Habakkuk 2:5 or how hell itself has enlarged herself to swallow the wicked Isaiah 5:14.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illustrate the concept of expansion and space:

  • H7344 Rᵉchôbôwth (streets; Rechoboth): This word is directly tied to an act of being made wide. Isaac named a well Rehoboth because he said, "the LORD hath made room (râchab) for us" Genesis 26:22. It signifies a place of broadness and relief.
  • H6509 pârâh (to bear fruit): This concept is presented as a direct result of having room to grow. In the same instance of naming Rehoboth, Isaac's declaration continues, "we shall be fruitful in the land" Genesis 26:22, linking divine provision of space to subsequent prosperity.
  • H6310 peh (mouth): The mouth is often the object that is made wide. In an expression of triumphant joy, Hannah proclaims, "my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies" 1 Samuel 2:1. Conversely, it is used in mockery and scorn, "against whom make ye a wide mouth?" Isaiah 57:4.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7337 is significant, often contrasting divine blessing with human sin.

  • Divine Provision and Covenant Fulfillment: God's power to enlarge is a sign of His faithfulness. He enlarges borders as promised to the fathers Deuteronomy 19:8, makes room for His people to thrive Genesis 26:22, provides large pastures Isaiah 30:23, and enlarges the steps of the righteous to keep them from falling Psalms 18:36.
  • Spiritual and Emotional Capacity: The word illustrates an expansion of the inner person. A heart can be enlarged, signaling a readiness to joyfully follow God's commands Psalms 119:32. An enlarged heart can also signify overwhelming joy and awe in response to God's redemptive work Isaiah 60:5.
  • The Nature of Sin and Judgment: Unchecked desire is portrayed as a dangerous enlargement. The greedy and proud enlarge their desire like the insatiable grave Habakkuk 2:5. In a direct parallel, hell itself hath enlarged its domain to receive the ungodly Isaiah 5:14.

Summary

In summary, H7337 is a dynamic word that extends far beyond its simple definition of making wide. It serves as a powerful metaphor for God's action in the world, representing everything from the physical expansion of territory to the spiritual deliverance of a soul from distress. It illustrates how God creates space for blessing and life, while also warning that sinful desire, when enlarged, leads only to destruction.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and an adjective across 26 occurrences, inflected in 19 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Feminine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Hiphil Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hiphil Perfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×

+ 7 rarer forms

Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine 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.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 25 verses across 12 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (7 verses).

1
Genesis
1
Exodus
3
Deuteronomy
1
1 Samuel
1
2 Samuel
6
Psalms
1
Proverbs
7
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel
1
Amos
1
Micah
1
Habakkuk

Verse Explorer

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