### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **rôk**, represented by `{{H7391}}`, means **softness** or, figuratively, **tenderness**. This term is extremely rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a very specific and potent illustration of its meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H7391}}` is in [[Deuteronomy 28:56]], within the context of the curses for disobedience. It describes a woman of such extreme refinement that she "would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and **tenderness**." In this passage, the quality of tenderness is not a virtue but a sign of a pampered, fragile state that, under the duress of judgment, leads to horrific cruelty toward her own family.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help to clarify the concept of softness and delicacy:
* `{{H7390}}` **rak** (tender; weak; soft): This is the root word for `{{H7391}}` and is used more broadly. It can describe a positive quality, like a "soft{H7390} answer" that turns away wrath [[Proverbs 15:1]], or a state of weakness or youth, as when David describes Solomon as "young{H5288} and tender{H7390}" [[1 Chronicles 22:5]].
* `{{H6028}}` **ʻânôg** (luxurious; delicate): This word is used alongside `{{H7390}}` to describe the "delicate{H6028} woman" in [[Deuteronomy 28:56]]. It consistently points to a life of luxury, as seen when it is used to describe a man so "delicate{H6028}" that he becomes evil toward his family [[Deuteronomy 28:54]].
* `{{H6026}}` **ʻânag** (to be soft or pliable; delicateness; delight): This word for "delicateness{H6026}" is used in direct parallel with `{{H7391}}` in [[Deuteronomy 28:56]]. It can also carry a positive meaning, such as to "delight{H6026} thyself also in the LORD" [[Psalms 37:4]].
### Theological Significance
Given its single, stark usage, the theological weight of `{{H7391}}` is found in its role as a warning:
* **The Peril of Extreme Luxury:** The "tenderness" described in [[Deuteronomy 28:56]] is a product of a life so insulated from hardship that it becomes a profound vulnerability. It represents a physical softness that leads to a hardened heart under pressure.
* **A Feature of Covenant Curses:** This term is not presented as a desirable attribute but as a characteristic of a person experiencing God's judgment. The woman's extreme delicacy is a prelude to her complete moral collapse.
* **Physical vs. Spiritual State:** While related words can describe a positive spiritual state of delight in God or a gentle disposition, `{{H7391}}` in its biblical context is used exclusively to denote a negative, physical state of being overly pampered and effeminate.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7391}}` **rôk** is a highly specific term for **tenderness**. Its singular use in scripture is powerful, framing this quality not as a virtue but as a dangerous state of luxury and softness. It serves as a potent warning within the covenant curses of Deuteronomy, illustrating how a life of excessive ease can render a person unprepared for hardship and lead to profound moral and relational decay.
TRV