רַהַט
𐤓𐤄𐤈
rahaṭ
H7298 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A carved or hollowed-out channel for conveying water, commonly used as a watering trough for animals or as a gutter for water flow. Occasionally, by analogy, refers to a curling lock of hair, drawing on the idea of a channel or curved shape. The primary sense centers on a physical structure for liquid conveyance, with metaphorical or analogous applications possible based on form or function.
Semantic Range
water trough for animals, channel or conduit for water, by analogy a winding or curling lock of hair
Root / Etymology
The root is רהט (r-ḥ-t), an otherwise unattested and etymologically uncertain root; it is traditionally hypothesized to mean 'to hollow out' or 'to channel,' based on the physical characteristics of the object. There are no clear verbal attestations in biblical Hebrew, and cognate evidence in other Semitic languages is lacking or inconclusive.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רַהַט primarily appears in Genesis 30:38, 41 and Exodus 2:16, always in the context of watering livestock—specifically, the trough or channel from which animals drink. In Song of Songs 7:6, the term is used metaphorically for a tress or ringlet of hair, likening the form of the lock to a winding or curved channel. The use of this term in early Israelite texts reflects practical animal husbandry practices in the ancient Near East, where communal or family-run watering installations were common. The physical design implied by רַהַט differs from other water-related constructions such as בְּאֵר (well), or מָקוֹר (spring/source), focusing more on the constructed, hollowed channel or trough. In later tradition and translations, especially the Septuagint, the word is sometimes rendered with more generic terms for trough, and occasionally by analogy as 'gallery' or 'lock of hair.' The English translation 'gutter' is somewhat misleading, as it can suggest modern plumbing or architectural features not present in the original context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root apparently meaning to hollow out; a channel or watering-box; by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines); gallery, gutter, trough.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רהט (r-ḥ-ṭ) — to channel, to hollow out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7351 | רְחִיט | our structural plank |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7298-02 |
בָּ/רֳהָטִ֖ים | barohatim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the gutters | water-channels | 2 |
H7298-01 |
בָּ/רְהָטִֽים | barehatim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the tresses/rivulets | water channels | 1 |
H7298-03 |
הָ֣/רְהָטִ֔ים | harehatim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the troughs | the water-channels | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7298-02 |
Genesis 30:38 | בָּ/רֳהָטִ֖ים | barohatim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the gutters | water-channels |
H7298-02 |
Genesis 30:41 | בָּ/רֳהָטִ֑ים | barohatim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the gutters | water-channels |
H7298-03 |
Exodus 2:16 | הָ֣/רְהָטִ֔ים | harehatim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the troughs | the water-channels |
H7298-01 |
Song of Songs 7:6 | בָּ/רְהָטִֽים | barehatim | HRd/Ncmpa |
in the tresses/rivulets | water channels |