Word Study for H7546 (רַקָּח)

raqqâch /rak-kawkh'/ Ask about this word

Meaninga male perfumer

KJV usageapothecary.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of raqqâch — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word raqqâch, represented by H7546, is a specialized term for a male perfumer or apothecary. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its sole usage places it within the context of skilled craftsmen contributing to a significant work of national restoration, demonstrating that all members of the community had a role to play.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single appearance of H7546 is in the account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. In Nehemiah 3:8, Hananiah, identified as the "son of one of the apothecaries," is listed among those who repaired the wall. This places the apothecary's trade alongside other skilled professions, like the goldsmiths, who were contributing to the crucial task of fortifying the city after the exile.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its single context illuminate the role of the H7546 apothecary:

H2388 châzaq (to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong...): Used in Nehemiah 3:8 for the act of repairing the wall, this word frequently carries the sense of being strong or courageous. It is often a command to "be strong" and not let one's hands be weak in the Lord's work 2 Chronicles 15:7.
H6884 tsâraph (to fuse (metal), i.e. refine... goldsmith...): The apothecary is mentioned working alongside "goldsmiths." This root is used metaphorically for the process of spiritual refining, as God promises to refine his people like silver Zechariah 13:9.
H5800 ʻâzab (to loosen, i.e. relinquish... forsake, fortify, help...): In this passage, it means to fortify Jerusalem. The same word is elsewhere used to mean forsake, creating a powerful contrast between those who abandon God and the community's work to strengthen His city Ezra 8:22.

Theological Significance

The appearance of H7546 in this context carries theological implications about the nature of sacred work:

Consecration of Labor: The inclusion of an apothecary alongside goldsmiths in repairing Jerusalem's wall demonstrates that secular skills and professions are consecrated when dedicated to God's purposes Nehemiah 3:8.
Communal Restoration: The work is a collective effort, signifying that the restoration of God's city requires the participation of all members of the community, regardless of their trade. The apothecaries repaired the wall as part of this unified body Nehemiah 3:8.
The Act of Fortifying: The workers, including the son of the apothecary, not only repaired but also fortified Jerusalem Nehemiah 3:8. This act reflects a broader theme of strengthening and protecting what is holy, a principle also seen in God's call for His people to "be strong" Deuteronomy 31:6.

Summary

In summary, H7546 raqqâch provides a specific and singular snapshot of life in ancient Israel. While appearing only once, its context within the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall gives it significance. It illustrates how even a specialized trade like that of an apothecary was integral to the work of national and spiritual restoration, showcasing the biblical principle that all manner of work can be consecrated for a divine purpose Nehemiah 3:8.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

רַקָּחוֹת
רַקָּחִים

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Nehemiah — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.