English · KJV
H7547

רַקֻּחַ

raqquach /rak-koo'-akh/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom רָקַח
Meaninga scented substance
KJV usageperfume.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of raqquach — 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 raqquach, represented by H7547, refers to a scented substance; perfume. It is a rare term, appearing only 1 time across 1 unique verse in the entire biblical text. Its meaning is associated with fragrant offerings used to gain favor.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole appearance of H7547 is in Isaiah 57:9, where it is used in a context of spiritual rebuke. The verse describes a journey to a king H4428 with offerings of ointment H8081 and an increase of perfumes H7547. This act is not portrayed as honorable; instead, it is linked with sending messengers far away H7350 and a profound self-debasement that extends "even unto hell" H7585, or the grave.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words used alongside H7547 in its only context help clarify its application:

  • H8081 shemen (ointment): This term for oil or ointment is presented in parallel with perfume, together forming a lavish gift intended to secure the king's favor Isaiah 57:9.
  • H7235 râbâh (to increase): This verb highlights the action taken with the perfumes. The gesture was not minimal but abundant, suggesting a great effort to impress the earthly power being courted Isaiah 57:9.
  • H4428 melek (a king): As the recipient of the perfumes, the king represents the worldly authority being pursued. This pursuit is shown to be the source of the spiritual compromise described in the verse Isaiah 57:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7547 is tied exclusively to its negative portrayal in Isaiah 57:9.

  • Misplaced Devotion: The offering of perfumes is directed toward a human king, symbolizing an idolatrous turning away from God to worldly powers for security and acceptance.
  • Lavish Corruption: The act of increasing perfumes illustrates how elaborate, outward displays can be part of a corrupt and unfaithful heart. The effort is extensive, but its end is debasement H8213.
  • Spiritual Unfaithfulness: The journey with perfumes and ointment to a foreign king is a potent metaphor for covenant-breaking. It is depicted as a path that leads away from God and down to the grave H7585.

Summary

In summary, raqquach H7547 is a word for perfume whose biblical meaning is defined by its singular, cautionary appearance. In Isaiah 57:9, it is not an object of blessing but an instrument of spiritual unfaithfulness. It serves as a powerful symbol of how seeking favor with the world through lavish means can lead to moral degradation and separation from God.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • רִקֻּחָיִ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4428 מֶלֶךְ from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. H8081 שֶׁמֶן from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] f H7350 רָחוֹק or רָחֹק; from רָחַק; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbiall H7585 שְׁאוֹל or שְׁאֹל; from שָׁאַל; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inm H7235 רָבָה a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake H8213 שָׁפֵל a primitive root; to depress or sink (expectation figuratively, to humiliate, intransitive or transitive); abase, bring

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 Isaiah — 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.