רָקַד

râqad /raw-kad'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root · properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy)
KJV usagedance, jump, leap, skip.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râqad, represented by H7540, is a primitive root meaning to stamp, spring about, dance, jump, leap, or skip. It conveys a sense of vigorous, often joyful or wild, movement. This term appears 9 times in 9 unique verses, illustrating its use in a variety of contexts, from human celebration to poetic descriptions of nature and warfare.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H7540 describes both literal and figurative action. It is famously used to portray King David dancing and playing as the ark of the covenant entered Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 15:29. The word also captures the simple joy of children who dance Job 21:11 and is presented as a fundamental part of the human experience in the phrase "a time to dance" Ecclesiastes 3:4. Figuratively, it personifies nature's response to God's power, as mountains skipped like rams (Psalms 114:4, Psalms 114:6) and skip like a calf Psalms 29:6. In a more ominous tone, it depicts the chaotic movement of jumping chariots in battle (Nahum 3:2, Joel 2:5) and the unnatural activity of satyrs that shall dance in a desolate land Isaiah 13:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H7540 is used:

  • H1725 dâhar (to curvet or move irregularly; pause): This word appears alongside râqad in a description of warfare, referring to "pransing horses" and "jumping chariots" Nahum 3:2, linking both terms to the chaotic motion of battle.
  • H7832 sâchaq (to laugh, play, make merry, rejoice): This term is often paired with râqad to emphasize joyous celebration. King David was seen "dancing H7540 and playing H7832" 1 Chronicles 15:29, and Ecclesiastes pairs "a time to laugh H7832" with "a time to dance H7540" Ecclesiastes 3:4.

Theological Significance

The conceptual weight of H7540 is seen in its diverse applications, highlighting different themes.

  • Joyful Worship and Celebration: The word is a physical manifestation of joy and worship. David's unrestrained dance before the ark is a powerful expression of religious fervor 1 Chronicles 15:29. It is also positioned as a natural and appropriate response to happy times Ecclesiastes 3:4.
  • The Power of God in Creation: Nature itself is described as responding with dynamic energy to God's presence. Mountains and hills skip and leap, personifying the immense power that can move even the foundations of the earth (Psalms 29:6, Psalms 114:4, Psalms 114:6).
  • Chaos and Judgment: In prophetic contexts, the word describes the powerful and unsettling movements associated with divine judgment. The leaping of war chariots signifies an invading force Joel 2:5, while the dancing of satyrs in a ruined city depicts a place given over to desolation Isaiah 13:21.

Summary

In summary, H7540 is a dynamic word that signifies energetic movement. It is not limited to a single meaning but is used to express a wide spectrum of ideas, from the uninhibited joy of human worship and play to the awesome, and sometimes terrifying, power of God as reflected in both nature and judgment. The word's usage demonstrates how a physical action can convey profound spiritual and poetic truths.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 9 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
  • Piel Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 2nd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Plural common gender 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
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.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 9 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Psalms (3 verses).

1
1 Chronicles
1
Job
3
Psalms
1
Ecclesiastes
1
Isaiah
1
Joel
1
Nahum

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