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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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