רְחַץ
𐤓𐤇𐤑
rᵉchats
H7365 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To trust, rely upon, have confidence in. The verb רְחַץ (rᵉchats) primarily denotes the act of placing trust or confidence in someone, especially entrusting oneself to another's care or relying upon their reliability; it can also bear the nuance of rest, assurance, or hoping in someone or something.
Semantic Range
to trust, to confide in, to rely upon, to have confidence in, to hope, to rest assurance
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root רָחַץ, which in Hebrew proper means 'to wash, bathe.' In Aramaic usage (distinct from the Hebrew lexical sense), the form רְחַץ (rᵉchats) conveys the sense of 'to trust' or 'to rely upon,' indicating semantic divergence between Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. The precise mechanism linking the Hebrew root meaning ('to wash') to the Aramaic usage ('to trust') is uncertain, possibly due to an idiomatic or cultural shift.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Aramaic, notably in the books of Daniel and Ezra, רְחַץ is employed in contexts of trust or reliance, distinct from the Hebrew cognate meaning 'to wash.' This illustrates a semantic shift that is common when Hebrew roots are borrowed into Aramaic with somewhat altered meanings. English versions may render the term with a range of expressions such as 'trust,' 'rely,' or 'have confidence,' though none are exact equivalents to the Hebrew concept of covenantal faithfulness or fidelity. The English 'trust' does capture the core sense, but may mask nuances related to the communal or contractual setting of the term in post-exilic Judean and other Northwest Semitic documents. The semantic divergence from the Hebrew root is a notable feature indicating the richness and fluidity of Northwest Semitic languages. In later rabbinic and liturgical Aramaic, similar usages can be found, though the Hebrew sense ('to wash') remains dominant in non-Aramaic contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to רָחַץ (probably through the accessory idea of ministering as a servant at the bath); to attend upon; trust.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רחה (r-ḥ-h) — reliance, trust, confidence
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7347 | רֵחֶה | the two grinding-stones |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7365-01 |
הִתְרְחִ֖צוּ | hiterechitsu | AVup3mp |
trusted | they entrusted themselves | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7365-01 |
Daniel 3:28 | הִתְרְחִ֖צוּ | hiterechitsu | AVup3mp |
trusted | they entrusted themselves |