a primitive root; to decay (as by worm-eating); rot.
Transliteration:râqab
Pronunciation:raw-kab'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H7537 (רָקַב, *râqab*) is a primitive root signifying "to decay" or "to rot." Its primary semantic range encompasses the process of decomposition, often specifically associated with the destructive action of worms or other agents of putrefaction. This base meaning implies a state of deterioration, dissolution, or consumption. While its most direct application is to physical matter, the biblical usage extends its meaning metaphorically to encompass spiritual, moral, or reputational decay, highlighting a process of internal or external disintegration that leads to ruin or oblivion.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H7537 appears in three significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible:
* **[[Job 13:28]]**: "And he, like a rotten thing, consumes away, like a garment that is moth-eaten." Here, râqab is used to describe the physical wasting or decay of a person afflicted by suffering. The comparison to a "rotten thing" or a "moth-eaten garment" powerfully conveys the fragility and transience of human flesh and existence, emphasizing the destructive power of decay upon the physical body.
* **[[Proverbs 10:7]]**: "The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot." This verse presents a profound metaphorical application of râqab. The "name" (שֵׁם, *shem*), representing reputation, legacy, or identity, of the wicked is said to "rot." In stark contrast to the blessed and enduring memory of the righteous, the legacy of the wicked is destined for utter disintegration, disgrace, and oblivion. This usage extends the physical concept of decay to the realm of moral and social standing, indicating a complete and shameful erasure.
* **[[Isaiah 40:20]]**: "He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved." In this context, râqab describes wood that is resistant to decay, chosen for the construction of idols. The desire for a material that "will not rot" highlights the human yearning for permanence and stability, ironically sought in lifeless, man-made objects. This choice implicitly critiques the futility of idolatry, as the very effort to create an enduring object of worship underscores its inherent lifelessness and ultimate inability to provide true, eternal sustenance, which only the living God can offer.
### Related Words & Concepts
The root H7537 is closely related to its nominal forms, underscoring the concept of decay:
* **H7538 (רָקָב, *raqab*):** This noun directly translates to "rottenness" or "decay." It signifies the state or result of the process described by H7537. Examples include [[Job 41:27]] (KJV 41:19) where it refers to the "rottenness" of wood, and [[Hosea 5:12]] where God describes Himself as "rottenness" to Ephraim, signifying a slow, internal decay and weakening as a form of judgment.
* **H7539 (רִקְבּוֹן, *riqbon*):** Another noun, also meaning "rottenness," found in [[Job 17:14]] in the phrase "the worm is my mother and my sister," where "rottenness" is personified as a familial connection in the grave.
Beyond its direct derivatives, râqab is conceptually linked to:
* **H6078 (עָשׁ, *'ash*):** Moth, often associated with the decay of garments, as seen in the parallel structure of [[Job 13:28]].
* **Concepts of impermanence (הֶבֶל, *hevel* - vanity), transience, corruption, and destruction:** These themes resonate throughout the biblical narrative, emphasizing the fleeting nature of earthly existence and material possessions.
* **Divine judgment and curse:** Decay can be a manifestation of God's judgment upon sin, leading to physical deterioration or the destruction of a name/legacy.
* **Contrast with life, blessing, and permanence:** The use of râqab often highlights what is *not* decaying, thereby emphasizing the enduring nature of God, His blessings, and the legacy of the righteous.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H7537 (רָקַב, *râqab*) is multifaceted, touching upon fundamental aspects of human existence, sin, and divine truth:
* **Human Frailty and Mortality:** The physical decay implied by râqab in [[Job 13:28]] powerfully underscores the inherent fragility and transience of human life. It serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate return to dust ([[Genesis 3:19]]), emphasizing the brevity and vulnerability of our earthly bodies. This theme encourages humility and reliance on God, the source of true and eternal life.
* **Consequence of Sin and Divine Justice:** The metaphorical use of râqab in [[Proverbs 10:7]] to describe the "rotting" of the wicked's name is profoundly significant. It illustrates that sin leads not only to physical death but also to a spiritual and reputational decay that results in disgrace and oblivion. This is an act of divine justice, demonstrating that true lasting legacy and blessed memory are reserved for those who walk in righteousness before God. It implies that unrighteousness carries an inherent, self-destructive quality.
* **Vanity of Idolatry and False Security:** In [[Isaiah 40:20]], the choice of non-rotting wood for idols ironically highlights the ultimate futility and lifelessness of such objects. The human desire for something permanent to worship, apart from the Creator, is revealed as misguided. No matter how durable the material, an idol remains a lifeless creation, incapable of providing life, salvation, or true permanence. This contrasts sharply with the living, eternal, and unchanging God who is the only source of enduring hope and security.
* **God's Sovereignty over Decay and Life:** Ultimately, whether râqab describes physical decay or metaphorical ruin, it points to God's sovereign control over all processes of life and death, blessing and curse. He is the one who permits decay as a natural consequence of a fallen world or as an act of judgment, and He is the only one who can offer escape from ultimate decay and grant eternal life and an enduring legacy.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H7537 (רָקַב, *râqab*) fundamentally signifies "to decay" or "to rot," often implying a process of deterioration akin to being worm-eaten. Its limited but poignant occurrences in the Hebrew Bible extend this core meaning from literal physical decomposition to powerful metaphorical representations. In [[Job 13:28]], it describes the physical wasting of a person, highlighting human frailty. More profoundly, [[Proverbs 10:7]] uses râqab to depict the ultimate disgrace and oblivion that awaits the name or legacy of the wicked, contrasting sharply with the enduring blessing of the righteous. Furthermore, [[Isaiah 40:20]] employs the root to describe wood that *will not* decay, chosen for idols, thereby subtly critiquing the vanity of seeking permanence in lifeless objects rather than in the eternal God. Theologically, râqab underscores the transient nature of all created things, the destructive consequences of sin, and the ultimate futility of idolatry, while implicitly pointing to the divine source of true and lasting life. It serves as a stark reminder of mortality and the inevitable judgment upon unrighteousness, where even memory can be subject to decay.
TRV