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מִרְקַחַת

𐤌𐤓𐤒𐤇𐤕

mirqachath

H4842 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רקח to mix, to compound, to prepare (aromatic substances)

Definition

A preparation or mixture, especially of aromatic substances; most commonly denotes a compound ointment or perfumed mixture prepared for ritual or cultic use. The term may also refer to the act or result of compounding by an apothecary, or, less frequently, to the container or receptacle holding such a mixture. Its primary sense in biblical usage is a perfumed ointment or sacred compound produced by skilled preparation.

Semantic Range

mixture, compound, aromatic ointment, perfumed preparation, (rarely) ointment container

Root / Etymology

From the root רָקַח (r-q-ḥ), which means 'to mix, compound (especially aromatic substances), concoct.' The noun form מִרְקַחַת is a feminine noun indicating that which has been mixed or compounded, particularly aromatic or medicinal preparations. The sense of 'unguent-pot' appears to be a secondary development by metonymy.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מִרְקַחַת primarily refers to sacred or special blends of aromatic substances, such as those used in the anointing oil or incense associated with the tabernacle rituals (Exodus 30:25, 35; 1 Chronicles 9:30). The term is often connected with the skilled work of apothecaries or ointment-compounders. In post-biblical and later Hebrew, related forms continue to denote mixtures, ointments, and the process of perfumery or pharmacy. The use of the word for the container (i.e., 'unguent-pot') occurs rarely and is not primary in biblical usage; rather, the emphasis is on the substance itself. Standard English translations such as 'ointment,' 'compound,' or 'mixture' may obscure the highly ritualized and prescribed nature of these preparations in the Israelite cultic context. Other Hebrew terms, such as שֶׁמֶן (shemen, oil) or קְטֹרֶת (qetoret, incense), are more specific to oil or incense proper, whereas מִרְקַחַת highlights the mixed, compounded nature of the substance. Its usage is closely associated with the cultus and specialized priestly knowledge during both the wilderness and monarchic periods. There is a later semantic extension in post-biblical literature to medicinal preparations, but this is less frequent in the Hebrew Bible itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָקַח; an aromatic unguent; also an unguent-pot; prepared by the apothecaries' art, compound, ointment.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רקח (r-q-ḥ) — to mix, to compound, to prepare aromatic substances

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4840 מֶרְקָח aromatic compounds
H4841 מֶרְקָחָה the ointment-mixing vessel
H7543 רָקַח carefully compounded ones
H7544 רֶקַח the aromatic compound
H7545 רֹקַח blended aromatic compound of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4842-03 מִרְקַ֖חַת mireqachat HNcfsa compound compounded ointment 1
H4842-01 בְּ/מִרְקַ֣חַת bemireqachat HR/Ncfsc with ointment in a compounded ointment of 1
H4842-02 הַ/מִּרְקַ֖חַת hamireqachat HTd/Ncfsa the ointment the compounded ointment 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4842-03 Exodus 30:25 מִרְקַ֖חַת mireqachat HNcfsa compound compounded ointment
H4842-02 1 Chronicles 9:30 הַ/מִּרְקַ֖חַת hamireqachat HTd/Ncfsa the ointment the compounded ointment
H4842-01 2 Chronicles 16:14 בְּ/מִרְקַ֣חַת bemireqachat HR/Ncfsc with ointment in a compounded ointment of
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