רָחַם
𐤓𐤇𐤌
Racham
H7355 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To feel or show deep compassion, mercy, or tender affection toward another, often with a sense of protecting or caring for the vulnerable. In some contexts, to have pity or show mercy; in others, to be moved by love, especially of a nurturing or parental sort. The term frequently conveys profound emotional concern and the willingness to act on behalf of one in distress or need.
Semantic Range
to have compassion; to show mercy; to be tenderly affectionate; to have pity; to nurture with deep feeling; to show loving concern; to act protectively (esp. as of a parent toward a child); divine compassion or mercy; name element indicating 'shown compassion'
Root / Etymology
From the root רחם, which at its core refers to the womb, expressing notions of deep internal feeling or compassion as a mother toward her child. The verb form derives from this root, extending the sense of the deeply-felt, often protective, emotion characteristic of parental bonds, particularly a mother's.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָחַם occurs throughout the Hebrew Bible to denote not only human compassion but, especially in poetry and prophecy, divine compassion or mercy—God's deeply felt care for the people or individual Israelites. Its usage highlights fundamental aspects of covenantal relationships and interpersonal ethics in Israelite society. The word's root association with the womb signifies a bond of profound care and deep sympathy, which goes beyond simple 'pity' as often rendered in English. In post-exilic and later traditions, certain English versions narrow the range by translating רָחַם as 'mercy' or 'pity'; however, these do not always reflect the full nurturing, affectionate nuance implied in original Hebrew contexts. While רָחַם may refer to compassion shown by any person, it is often used in contexts emphasizing a superior's care for an inferior—parents for children, rulers for subjects, or the deity for humanity. Related terms include חסד (ḥesed, covenant loyalty/kindness) and חנן (ḥanan, to be gracious), which overlap but differ in emphasis. In Greek translation (LXX), often rendered as οἰκτείρω or ἐλεέω, reflecting compassion or showing mercy, while Latin translators often used 'misereri.' The name רֻחָמָה (Ruhamah) in Hosea carries the abstracted sense 'shown compassion.' No clear evidence of semantic shift from the monarchic to exilic periods, but post-exilic uses may emphasize divine mercy toward returning exiles.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate; have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, [idiom] surely.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רחם (r-ḥ-m) — deep compassion, tender mercy, womb-like love
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3395 | יְרֹחָם | He-will-be-shown-compassion |
| H3396 | יְרַחְמְאֵל | to El-will-show-compassion |
| H3819 | לֹא רֻחָמָה | Not-shown-compassion |
| H7348 | רְחוּם | Rechum |
| H7349 | רַחוּם | compassionate |
Word Forms
25 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7355-02 |
אֲרַחֵֽם | arachem | HVpi1cs |
I will have compassion | I will show deep compassion | 6 |
H7355-23 |
יְרַחֵ֔ם | yerachem | HVpi3ms |
will have compassion | he will show tender compassion | 4 |
H7355-18 |
וְ/רִחַמְתִּ֖י | verichameti | HC/Vpq1cs |
and I will have compassion | and I will show deep compassion | 3 |
H7355-24 |
יְרַחֵ֔מוּ | yerachemu | HVpi3mp |
they-mercy | they will show deep compassion | 3 |
H7355-25 |
יְרֻחַ֥ם | yerucham | HVPi3ms |
will-be-pitied | he will be shown compassion | 2 |
H7355-17 |
וְ/רִֽחַמְ/ךָ֣ | verichamekha | HC/Vpq3ms/Sp2ms |
and have mercy on you | and he will show you deep compassion | 2 |
H7355-09 |
רַחֵ֥ם | rachem | HVpa |
have-mercy | to show deep compassion | 2 |
H7355-14 |
תְרַחֵ֣ם | terachem | HVpi2ms |
have-compassion | you will show tender compassion | 2 |
H7355-16 |
וְ/רִחַ֣ם | vericham | HC/Vpq3ms |
and-he-will-have-compassion | and he showed deep compassion | 2 |
H7355-22 |
יְרַחֲמֶ֣/נּוּ | yerachamenu | HVpi3ms/Sp3ms |
have compassion on us | he will show tender compassion to him | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
47 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7355-18 |
Exodus 33:19 | וְ/רִחַמְתִּ֖י | verichameti | HC/Vpq1cs |
and I will have compassion | and I will show deep compassion |
H7355-02 |
Exodus 33:19 | אֲרַחֵֽם | arachem | HVpi1cs |
I will have compassion | I will show deep compassion |
H7355-17 |
Deuteronomy 13:18 | וְ/רִֽחַמְ/ךָ֣ | verichamekha | HC/Vpq3ms/Sp2ms |
and have mercy on you | and he will show you deep compassion |
H7355-17 |
Deuteronomy 30:3 | וְ/רִחֲמֶ֑/ךָ | verichamekha | HC/Vpq3ms/Sp2ms |
and will have compassion on you | and he will show you deep compassion |
H7355-20 |
1 Kings 8:50 | וְ/רִֽחֲמֽוּ/ם | verichamum | HC/Vpq3cp/Sp3mp |
that they may have compassion on them | and they showed deep compassion to them |
H7355-15 |
2 Kings 13:23 | וַֽ/יְרַחֲמֵ/ם֙ | vayerachamem | HC/Vpw3ms/Sp3mp |
and-had-compassion-on-them | he showed deep compassion to them |
H7355-23 |
Isaiah 9:16 | יְרַחֵ֔ם | yerachem | HVpi3ms |
will have mercy | he will show tender compassion |
H7355-24 |
Isaiah 13:18 | יְרַחֵ֔מוּ | yerachemu | HVpi3mp |
they will have mercy | they will show deep compassion |
H7355-23 |
Isaiah 14:1 | יְרַחֵ֨ם | yerachem | HVpi3ms |
will have compassion | he will show tender compassion |
H7355-22 |
Isaiah 27:11 | יְרַחֲמֶ֣/נּוּ | yerachamenu | HVpi3ms/Sp3ms |
will have compassion on him | he will show tender compassion to him |