רֶכֶס
𐤓𐤊𐤎
rekeç
H7406 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A mountain ridge or chain, typically a prominent, elongated elevation in a landscape, often marking a dividing line or backbone of hills. The term refers specifically to the physical formation of tightly connected or linked summits forming a continuous ridge.
Semantic Range
mountain ridge, chain of hills, series of connected summits, backbone-like landform, rough elevated place
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root רָכַס (r-k-s), meaning 'to bind, tie together, fasten.' רֶכֶס (rekeṣ) extends this sense to the natural world, describing a geological feature where hills or peaks are bound together, forming a continuous ridge or elevated landform.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רֶכֶס appears primarily in poetic or descriptive passages, emphasizing the cohesive, bound nature of a mountain chain. The root conveys the idea of connection or binding, and its application to topographical language is relatively rare in the Hebrew Bible. Unlike more general words for mountain (הַר) or hill (גִּבְעָה), רֶכֶס describes the collective, ridge-like formations of hills or peaks rather than a single elevation. In later Hebrew, the sense remains focused on the physical feature of a continuous, connected ridge. English translations often use 'ridge,' 'mountain chain,' or similar terms, but these may not fully convey the imagery of tied or connected summits inherent in the Hebrew.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָכַס; a mountain ridge (as of tied summits); rough place.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רכס (r-k-s) — bind, tie together, fasten
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7406-01 |
וְ/הָ/רְכָסִ֖ים | veharekhasim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the rough places | and the bound-together ridges | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7406-01 |
Isaiah 40:4 | וְ/הָ/רְכָסִ֖ים | veharekhasim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
and the rough places | and the bound-together ridges |