רָקַח
𐤓𐤒𐤇
râqach
H7543 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To mix, blend, or compound ingredients, especially aromatic substances for use as incense, oil, ointment, or medicinal mixtures. The term indicates skilled preparation, often with a focus on fragrances, spices, or therapeutic compounds. In priestly contexts, it refers specifically to the expert creation of ritual anointing oils or sacred incense, while in broader contexts it can refer to the compounding of any fragrant or medicinal substance.
Semantic Range
to blend or compound (especially aromatics), to prepare incense or ointment, to make medicinal or cosmetic mixtures, to manufacture oils for ritual or personal use
Root / Etymology
Root רָקַח (ר-ק-ח), which in Hebrew denotes the act of mixing or blending by pounding, crushing, or carefully compounding ingredients. The verb primarily conveys the act of skilled blending rather than the mere presence of fragrance or the selling of spices. The noun derivative רֹקֵחַ (roqēaḥ) designates a person who performs this mixing—an apothecary or compounder.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָקַח is found in texts describing both sacred and everyday practices. In priestly and sanctuary settings (e.g., Exodus 30:25, 35), it refers to the making of sacred anointing oil or incense according to precise formulas, highlighting the importance of expertise and ritual propriety. The associated noun רֹקֵחַ is sometimes traditionally rendered as 'apothecary' or 'perfumer,' but these English terms do not fully capture the breadth of the profession in ancient Israelite society. Compounding included not only perfumes and incense for cultic use but also ointments and balms for personal and medicinal purposes (see 1 Samuel 8:13; 1 Chronicles 9:30). English translations often render רָקַח or רֹקֵחַ as 'perfumer' or 'apothecary'; however, these terms can obscure the role’s ritual significance and skill in preparation. The root is attested consistently from the early monarchic to later post-exilic periods without major semantic shift, though its ritual dimension is emphasized in priestly texts. In contrast to related roots such as בשׂם (to perfume, fragrant), רָקַח emphasizes the active, processual aspect of preparation, not just the result.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to perfume; apothecary, compound, make (ointment), prepare, spice.
Bantu Hebrew
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רקח (r-q-ḥ) — to mix, to compound, to blend, to prepare substances
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4840 | מֶרְקָח | aromatic compounds |
| H4841 | מֶרְקָחָה | the ointment-mixing vessel |
| H4842 | מִרְקַחַת | in a compounded ointment of |
| H7544 | רֶקַח | the aromatic compound |
| H7545 | רֹקַח | blended aromatic compound of |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7543-02 |
רֹקֵ֑חַ | roqecha | HVqrmsa |
of a perfumer | compounder | 4 |
H7543-04 |
וְ/הַרְקַח֙ | vehareqach | HC/Vhv2ms |
and mix in spices | and prepare by compounding | 1 |
H7543-05 |
יִרְקַ֣ח | yireqach | HVqi3ms |
compounds | he will compound | 1 |
H7543-01 |
מְרֻקָּחִ֖ים | meruqachim | HVPsmpa |
compounded | carefully compounded ones | 1 |
H7543-03 |
רֹקְחֵ֥י | roqechey | HVqrmpc |
mixers of | compounders of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7543-02 |
Exodus 30:25 | רֹקֵ֑חַ | roqecha | HVqrmsa |
of a perfumer | compounder |
H7543-05 |
Exodus 30:33 | יִרְקַ֣ח | yireqach | HVqi3ms |
compounds | he will compound |
H7543-02 |
Exodus 30:35 | רוֹקֵ֑חַ | roqecha | HVqrmsa |
perfumer | compounder |
H7543-02 |
Exodus 37:29 | רֹקֵֽחַ | roqecha | HVqrmsa |
of a perfumer | compounder |
H7543-04 |
Ezekiel 24:10 | וְ/הַרְקַח֙ | vehareqach | HC/Vhv2ms |
and mix in spices | and prepare by compounding |
H7543-02 |
Ecclesiastes 10:1 | רוֹקֵ֑חַ | roqecha | HVqrmsa |
of the perfumer | compounder |
H7543-03 |
1 Chronicles 9:30 | רֹקְחֵ֥י | roqechey | HVqrmpc |
mixers of | compounders of |
H7543-01 |
2 Chronicles 16:14 | מְרֻקָּחִ֖ים | meruqachim | HVPsmpa |
compounded | carefully compounded ones |