or (feminine) רָחָמָה; from רָחַם; a kind of vulture (supposed to be tender towards its young); gier-eagle.
Transliteration:râchâm
Pronunciation:raw-khawm'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term רָחָם (râchâm, `{{H7360}}`) refers to a specific bird, commonly identified as the gier-eagle or Egyptian Vulture (*Neophron percnopterus*). Its etymology is particularly insightful, deriving from the root רָחַם (râcham, `{{H7355}}`), which signifies "to love deeply," "to have compassion," or "to show mercy." The base definition for H7360 explicitly notes that this bird is "supposed to be tender towards its young." This suggests that the name was ascribed based on a perceived characteristic of the bird, namely its parental care and nurturing behavior, linking it directly to the concept of compassion inherent in its root. While the bird itself is a scavenger, its name highlights a specific aspect of its natural history that resonated with the ancient Israelites' understanding of the root רָחַם.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word רָחָם (râchâm, `{{H7360}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the Mosaic Law's detailed lists of animals forbidden for consumption. These occurrences are found in:
* [[Leviticus 11:18]]: "and the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle," (KJV).
* [[Deuteronomy 14:17]]: "And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant," (KJV).
In both contexts, the רָחָם is enumerated among other birds of prey, scavengers, and waterfowl that are designated as "unclean" (טָמֵא, *ṭāmē'*) and thus prohibited for the Israelites' diet. Its inclusion in these lists underscores its ritual impurity within the covenant framework established by God. The specific reasons for an animal's "unclean" status are not always explicitly stated but are generally understood to relate to their diet (e.g., carrion-eaters), predatory nature, or association with death and decay, all of which stood in contrast to the principles of life and holiness God desired for His people.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the root from which רָחָם (râchâm, `{{H7360}}`) is derived: רָחַם (râcham, `{{H7355}}`). This verb carries the profound meaning of deep, compassionate love, often with a visceral sense akin to a mother's love for her child. From this same root also comes רֶחֶם (rechem, `{{H7358}}`), meaning "womb," further emphasizing the deep, nurturing bond.
Other related concepts and words include:
* **Purity Laws:** The broader category of dietary laws (כַּשְׁרוּת, *kashrut*) and the distinction between clean and unclean animals (טָהוֹר, *ṭāhôr* vs. טָמֵא, *ṭāmē'*) are central to understanding the context of H7360.
* **Other Unclean Birds:** The רָחָם is listed alongside other birds like the eagle (נֶשֶׁר, nesher, `{{H5404}}`), osprey (עֹזְנִיָּה, ozniyyah, `{{H5822}}`), and various owls and vultures, all of which are part of the larger category of prohibited creatures.
* **Holiness (קֹדֶשׁ, *qodesh*):** The dietary laws were part of Israel's call to be a holy nation, set apart for God. The distinction between clean and unclean animals served as a tangible reminder of this separation and their unique covenant relationship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of רָחָם (râchâm, `{{H7360}}`) lies primarily in the intriguing paradox it presents: an "unclean" bird named after a root that signifies profound compassion and mercy, attributes so central to the character of God Himself.
1. **Paradox of Naming:** The naming of a ritually impure creature with a term rooted in divine compassion highlights the distinction between human perception (the bird's perceived tenderness) and divine decree (its status as unclean). It underscores that God's standards of purity and holiness transcend human sentimentality or natural observation.
2. **Holiness and Separation:** The inclusion of the רָחָם in the list of forbidden animals reinforces the concept of *qadosh* (holiness) as separation. Israel was called to be set apart from the nations, and their dietary laws were one means by which this distinction was maintained. The רָחָם, despite its potentially "tender" nature, was part of the created order that God designated as unsuitable for consumption, thereby contributing to Israel's unique identity and obedience.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Wisdom:** The classification of animals into clean and unclean categories reflects God's sovereign authority over creation and His specific wisdom in establishing laws for His covenant people. These laws were not merely arbitrary but served pedagogical and symbolic functions, teaching Israel about the nature of God and their relationship with Him. Even in the designation of an "unclean" creature, there is an underlying order and purpose reflecting the Creator's design.
### Summary
The Hebrew word רָחָם (râchâm, `{{H7360}}`) designates the gier-eagle or Egyptian Vulture, a bird specifically listed as unclean in the Mosaic dietary laws found in [[Leviticus 11:18]] and [[Deuteronomy 14:17]]. Intriguingly, its name derives from the root רָחַם (râcham, `{{H7355}}`), meaning "to have compassion," likely due to the bird's perceived tenderness towards its young. This etymological connection creates a profound theological tension: an animal deemed ritually impure is named from a root signifying one of God's most cherished attributes. This paradox serves to emphasize the distinct nature of God's holiness and His call for Israel to be a separated people, reinforcing that divine standards of purity operate independently of human perceptions or natural characteristics. The רָחָם thus stands as a vivid example within the biblical framework of how God's laws of purity underscored His people's unique covenant identity and their call to holiness.
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