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רַקָּחָה

𐤓𐤒𐤇𐤄

raqqâchâh

H7548 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רקח to mix, to compound, to prepare (aromatic substances)

Definition

Female perfumer: a woman skilled in preparing aromatic substances, especially perfumes, scented oils, or ointments for ritual, medicinal, or cosmetic use. This term refers specifically to the female practitioner of the craft, as opposed to the more general term for perfumer. The semantic range also includes compounder of fragrant substances or apothecary (female), primarily in formal settings such as the court, temple, or professional guilds.

Semantic Range

female perfumer, compounder of aromatic substances (female), female apothecary, preparer of perfumes or ointments (female), professional guild member (female)

Root / Etymology

From the root רָקַח (r-q-ḥ), meaning 'to mix, to compound, to prepare (especially aromatic or medicinal substances).' רַקָּחָה is the feminine form of רַקֻּחַ ('perfumer, compounder'); the suffix -ָה marks the feminine in Hebrew.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רַקָּחָה appears rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in lists such as Nehemiah 3:8, reflecting the existence of female professionals in the guild of perfumers during the post-exilic period. The role involved expertise in aromatic compounds for various uses, including ritual (temple), cosmetic, and medicinal contexts. The feminine designation distinguishes her from the more common, masculine term for perfumer (רַקָּח, H7547). This reflects broader post-exilic trends of occupational specialization and may point to an organized profession, especially in urban contexts or among the returnees from exile. English translations often use 'apothecary' or 'confectioner,' but these terms do not always capture the specific context of perfumery, nor do they clearly indicate the gendered aspect of the Hebrew term. The term does not denote a 'pharmacist' in the modern sense, though it sometimes overlaps with the preparation of medicinal ointments. In the monarchic and pre-exilic periods, this profession is not attested as distinctively female. In post-exilic contexts, the appearance of the female perfumer reflects expanding craft specializations and the recognition of women in guild professions.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of רַקֻּחַ; a female perfumer; confectioner.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רקח (r-q-ḥ) — to mix, to compound, to prepare aromatic substances

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4840 מֶרְקָח aromatic compounds
H4841 מֶרְקָחָה the ointment-mixing vessel
H4842 מִרְקַחַת in a compounded ointment of
H7543 רָקַח carefully compounded ones
H7544 רֶקַח the aromatic compound

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7548-01 לְ/רַקָּח֥וֹת leraqachot HR/Ncfpa perfumers to female perfumers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7548-01 1 Samuel 8:13 לְ/רַקָּח֥וֹת leraqachot HR/Ncfpa perfumers to female perfumers
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