### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H7542}}` (Raqqôwn) is primarily a proper noun, identifying a specific geographical location. Its base definition, "thinness," derived from the root רַק (raq), suggests an etymological connection to the physical characteristics of the place it names. This root רַק typically conveys concepts of emptiness, thinness, or being worn away. Therefore, Raqqôwn likely refers to a place characterized by thin soil, shallow waters, or a generally meager landscape. However, its usage in the biblical text is exclusively as a toponym, "Rakkon" or "Yarkon," rather than an adjective describing thinness. The semantic range is thus confined to this geographical designation, with the underlying meaning providing insight into the naming convention.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H7542}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 19:46]]: "And Me-jarkon, with the border over against Joppa."
In this sole occurrence, Raqqôwn (often transliterated as Yarkon or Me-jarkon, incorporating the prefix "waters of") is listed as a boundary marker for the tribal allotment of Dan. The verse precisely delineates the northern border of Dan's territory, extending to the region near Joppa (modern Jaffa). The identification of "Me-jarkon" with the modern Yarkon River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea north of Jaffa, is widely accepted by scholars. The etymological meaning of "thinness" or "shallowness" could aptly describe the river itself, particularly during drier seasons, or the surrounding land. Its inclusion in this detailed list of tribal boundaries underscores the meticulous nature of the land distribution, reflecting God's precise fulfillment of His covenant promises to Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H7542}}` is its root, רַק (raq). This root is foundational to several other Hebrew words, though their semantic ranges diverge significantly from Raqqôwn's function as a place name:
* `{{H7386}}` (riq): Often translated as "empty," "vain," or "worthless" (e.g., [[Psalm 2:1]]).
* `{{H7538}}` (raqab): Refers to "rottenness" or "decay" (e.g., [[Job 13:28]]).
* `{{H7549}}` (raqia): Denotes an "expanse" or "firmament," often understood as something beaten out or stretched thin (e.g., [[Genesis 1:6]]).
While these words share a common etymological thread of thinness or emptiness, `{{H7542}}` stands apart in its specific application as a proper geographical noun. Conceptually, it relates to the broader biblical theme of tribal inheritance and the meticulous division of the Promised Land, placing it alongside other geographical markers and boundary designations found throughout the books of Numbers and Joshua.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun designating a geographical location, `{{H7542}}` does not carry direct theological doctrine. However, its inclusion in the biblical text contributes to a deeper theological understanding in several ways. Firstly, its presence in [[Joshua 19:46]] highlights the divine precision and meticulousness with which God fulfilled His covenant promises regarding the land inheritance for the tribes of Israel. Every boundary marker, no matter how seemingly minor, attests to God's faithfulness and sovereignty in establishing His people within the land He had sworn to their ancestors. Secondly, the detailed geographical descriptions in Joshua serve to underscore the historical reality and tangible nature of God's redemptive work. The land was not an abstract concept but a concrete, divinely apportioned territory, with identifiable features like the Yarkon River. Thus, Raqqôwn stands as a silent witness to God's providential care, His commitment to His word, and the orderly unfolding of His plan for Israel.
### Summary
`{{H7542}}` (Raqqôwn) is a unique Hebrew proper noun, occurring only once in the Bible, in [[Joshua 19:46]]. Etymologically derived from the root רַק (raq), meaning "thinness," it likely refers to a geographical feature characterized by shallow waters or thin terrain, specifically identified as the Yarkon River or its surrounding area. In its sole biblical appearance, Raqqôwn serves as a precise boundary marker for the tribal territory of Dan in the Promised Land. While it holds no inherent theological meaning in isolation, its inclusion in the detailed land allotments underscores God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Israel and the historical veracity of the biblical narrative concerning the division of the land.
TRV