### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun רַחַב (rachab, `{{H7338}}`) is derived directly from the verbal root רָחַב (rachab, `{{H7337}}`), which means "to be wide, broad, or spacious." As a noun, rachab primarily signifies a physical dimension: "width," "breadth," or an "expanse." It denotes the measurement from side to side, or the extent of an area. Semantically, it can imply:
* **Physical Dimension:** The literal measurement of an object or space across its extent.
* **Spaciousness:** A quality of being ample, unconfined, or having considerable room, often contrasting with narrowness or constriction.
* **Extent/Scope:** The full reach or comprehensive coverage of an area or concept.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun rachab (`{{H7338}}`) appears in several contexts, consistently conveying a sense of physical dimension or expanse:
* In [[Deuteronomy 3:11]], it describes the physical "width" of Og's iron bedstead, alongside its length, providing precise dimensions.
* Similarly, in [[1 Kings 6:3]], rachab specifies the "width" of the vestibule of Solomon's Temple, aligning it with the overall width of the house. These instances highlight its use in architectural and descriptive measurements.
* In [[Job 37:10]], the phrase "the *breadth* of the waters is frozen" illustrates God's immense power over creation, affecting vast, wide expanses of water. Here, rachab emphasizes the extensive scale of the phenomenon.
* [[Isaiah 8:8]] speaks of an overflowing river (symbolizing the Assyrian invasion) whose "spread wings will fill the *breadth* of your land, O Immanuel." This depicts the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of the invasion, covering the entire width and extent of the territory.
* [[Habakkuk 1:6]] describes the Chaldeans as a nation "who march through the *breadth* of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own." This signifies their widespread conquest, traversing vast distances and occupying the full expanse of lands.
Across these occurrences, rachab consistently refers to the physical extent, dimension, or comprehensive coverage of an area, whether it be an object, a body of water, or a land.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of rachab (`{{H7338}}`) is enriched by its close lexical relatives:
* **רָחַב (rachab, `{{H7337}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to be wide, broad, spacious, or enlarged." This verb often carries connotations of freedom, deliverance, and prosperity, as God "enlarges" one's steps or brings one into a "broad place."
* **רְחֹב (rehov, `{{H7339}}`):** A related noun meaning "broad place, plaza, or street." This term typically refers to an open, wide area within a city, serving as a public gathering space.
* **מֶרְחָב (merchav, `{{H4800}}`):** Another noun derived from the same root, meaning "a wide place, spaciousness, or freedom." This term frequently carries a theological nuance, denoting a place of liberty, security, and relief from distress, often provided by God (e.g., [[Psalm 18:19]], [[Psalm 31:8]]).
* **Antonyms:** Concepts of "narrowness" (צַר - tsar, `{{H6862}}`), "distress," or "confinement" (צָרָה - tsarah, `{{H6869}}`) stand in stark contrast to the spaciousness implied by rachab and its cognates. The biblical worldview often links narrowness with adversity and spaciousness with blessing and divine favor.
### Theological Significance
While rachab (`{{H7338}}`) itself primarily functions as a descriptive term for physical dimension, its theological significance is best appreciated within the broader conceptual framework of "spaciousness" and "enlargement" derived from its root רָחַב (`{{H7337}}`) and related nouns like מֶרְחָב (`{{H4800}}`).
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** In contexts like [[Isaiah 8:8]] and [[Habakkuk 1:6]], the "breadth" of the land or earth being traversed by forces of judgment (Assyria, Chaldeans) highlights the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's sovereign actions. It underscores that no place, regardless of its expanse, is beyond the reach of His purposes, whether for discipline or restoration.
* **God's Power over Creation:** In [[Job 37:10]], the "breadth of the waters" being frozen by God's breath points to the vastness of creation and the immense power of the Creator. This subtly emphasizes God's absolute control over the natural world, operating on a grand, wide scale.
* **Implicit Blessing and Freedom:** Though rachab (`{{H7338}}`) does not directly carry the theological weight of "freedom" as strongly as merchav (`{{H4800}}`), it contributes to the overall biblical imagery where "broad places" are associated with divine deliverance and blessing. Being brought into a wide space signifies liberation from constraint, security, and abundant provision, contrasting with the "narrowness" of adversity.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun רַחַב (rachab, `{{H7338}}`) is a concrete term denoting "width," "breadth," or a "broad place," stemming from the verb "to be wide" (`{{H7337}}`). Its biblical occurrences consistently describe physical dimensions, whether of objects, bodies of water, or geographical territories, emphasizing extent and expanse. While primarily descriptive, rachab contributes to the broader biblical motif of spaciousness, which, when linked with related terms like מֶרְחָב (`{{H4800}}`), takes on theological significance. This includes conveying God's comprehensive sovereignty over all lands and His immense power over creation. In a wider sense, the concept of "broadness" often stands in contrast to "narrowness," implicitly associating spaciousness with divine provision, freedom, and the full reach of God's purposes across all dimensions.
TRV