רָקַע

râqaʻ /raw-kah'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)
KJV usagebeat, make broad, spread abroad (forth, over, out, into plates), stamp, stretch.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word râqaʻ, represented by H7554, is a primitive root with a core meaning of applying force to spread or flatten something. It appears 11 times in 11 unique verses. Its definition includes actions like pounding the earth, expanding by hammering, overlaying with thin sheets of metal, and to beat, make broad, spread, stamp, or stretch.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In Scripture, H7554 is used in three distinct contexts. First, it describes God's creative power in fashioning the cosmos. God is the one who spread forth the earth Isaiah 42:5, spreadeth abroad the earth by himself Isaiah 44:24, and stretched out the earth above the waters Psalms 136:6. This creative imagery extends to the sky, which Job describes as being spread out as if it were a molten mirror Job 37:18. Second, the word denotes the craft of metalworking, where artisans would beat gold into thin plates for the tabernacle Exodus 39:3 or make broad plates from brasen censers to cover the altar Numbers 16:39. This is also seen in the creation of idols, where a goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold Isaiah 40:19. Third, it signifies a strong physical expression of emotion, such as when Ezekiel is commanded to stamp with his foot as a sign of dismay over Israel's sins Ezekiel 6:11.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H7554 by appearing in parallel with it:

  • H1254 bârâʼ (to create): This word is used alongside H7554 to describe God's work, where He created the heavens and spread forth the earth, emphasizing His role as the ultimate maker Isaiah 42:5.
  • H5186 nâṭâh (to stretch or spread out): Often used with H7554 in creation accounts, this term reinforces the idea of expansion, as when God stretched out the heavens and spread forth the earth Isaiah 42:5.
  • H1854 dâqaq (to crush, stamp small): In 2 Samuel 22:43, this word is used for stamping enemies into dust, which are then spread abroad H7554, showing a sequence of utter destruction.
  • H4222 mâchâʼ (to clap): This action is paired with stamping the feet H7554 to describe the contemptuous celebration over Israel's downfall, linking two physical displays of powerful emotion Ezekiel 25:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H7554 is demonstrated through its connection of divine power and human action.

  • Divine Creative Force: The word portrays God as a divine artisan who actively hammers out and spreads the earth and sky into existence. This action demonstrates immense power and deliberate shaping, as seen in passages like Psalms 136:6 and Isaiah 44:24.
  • Human Craft and Idolatry: The same action of beating and spreading is used by humans to create sacred objects for the tabernacle Exodus 39:3 or, conversely, to overlay idols with precious metals Isaiah 40:19, illustrating how human craft can either honor God or mock Him.
  • Judgment and Emotion: The act to stamp with the foot is used as a physical sign of intense emotion tied to divine judgment. It is commanded by God as an expression of sorrow for sin Ezekiel 6:11 but condemned when used to rejoice in the misfortune of others Ezekiel 25:6.

Summary

In summary, H7554 is a dynamic word signifying expansion and impact through force. From the cosmic scale of God spreading out the earth to the fine work of a metalsmith beating gold into plates, the term captures the essence of shaping and forming. It bridges the gap between God's omnipotent, creative acts and the tangible, emotional, and industrial actions of humanity, showing how the same physical principle can be applied to creation, craftsmanship, and powerful expression.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Pual Participle Passive Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Qal Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Qal Participle Singular Masculine Construct 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Passive
The subject is acted upon.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Pual
The passive of the intensive (Piel) stem.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (3 verses).

1
Exodus
1
Numbers
1
2 Samuel
1
Job
1
Psalms
3
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
2
Ezekiel

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