### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Raqqôwn**, represented by `{{H7542}}`, is defined as "thinness" and identifies **Rakkon, a place in Palestine**. Its usage is highly specific, as it appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H7542}}` is in the book of Joshua, where it is listed as a geographical marker. In the verse, **Rakkon** is mentioned alongside another location, Mejarkon, as being part of a territory defined by "the border before Japho" [[Joshua 19:46]]. This context establishes **Rakkon** as a specific town or landmark within a larger, formally delineated area of land.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear alongside `{{H7542}}` in its only biblical mention, providing geographical and contextual clarity:
* `{{H4313}}` **Mêy hay-Yarqôwn** (Me-jarkon): Defined as "water of the yellowness," this is also a place in Palestine. It is listed immediately before **Raqqôwn** in the same verse, indicating their proximity [[Joshua 19:46]].
* `{{H1366}}` **gᵉbûwl** (border): This word signifies a boundary or the territory it encloses. It is the term used to define the area that includes **Raqqôwn** [[Joshua 19:46]].
* `{{H3305}}` **Yâphôw** (Japho, Joppa): Meaning "beautiful," this is a well-known place in Palestine that serves as the major landmark for the border associated with **Raqqôwn** [[Joshua 19:46]].
### Theological Significance
While **Raqqôwn** itself is not the subject of theological discourse, its context within a defined "border" `{{H1366}}` connects it to significant biblical themes of divine apportionment and blessing.
* **Inclusion in a Defined Territory:** The primary role of `{{H7542}}` is to help mark a specific territory as outlined in scripture [[Joshua 19:46]].
* **Divinely Appointed Borders:** The related word for "border," `{{H1366}}`, is used elsewhere to describe God setting the boundaries of the sea [[Jeremiah 5:22]] and the promise of enlarging borders as a sign of divine favor [[Exodus 34:24]].
* **A Place of Promise:** The concept of a "border" `{{H1366}}` is also tied to God's promises of peace and restoration, such as when He "maketh peace in thy borders" [[Psalms 147:14]] or when children "shall come again to their own border" [[Jeremiah 31:17]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7542}}` **Raqqôwn** is a specific place name mentioned once in the Bible. Its importance is not in its definition of "thinness" but in its function as a landmark. Its sole appearance in Joshua firmly places it within the context of divinely appointed land distribution, tying this obscure location to the broader biblical themes of inheritance, boundaries, and God's sovereign blessings over a territory.
TRV