רְתֻקָה (H7577) — Hebrew Lexicon

רְתֻקָה

𐤓𐤕𐤒𐤄

rᵉthuqâh

H7577 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רתק to bind, to fasten, to shackle

Definition

An object made for fastening or binding, typically a chain or fetter; specifically, a metal chain or shackle used to restrict movement, often in contexts of captivity, imprisonment, or restraint. The semantic range encompasses physical chains as implements of restraint, especially on ankles or feet.

Semantic Range

chain, fetter, shackle, something for fastening, object of restraint, device for binding

Root / Etymology

From the root רתק ('r-t-q'), which fundamentally means 'to bind, fasten, shackle.' רְתֻקָה is a feminine passive participle form, denoting 'that which is fastened' or 'a binding device,' and came to refer specifically to a physical chain or fetter used for restraining.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רְתֻקָה appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible and is generally used in contexts describing physical restraint or imprisonment. The term is closely related to other words for chains and fetters (such as נְחֻשְׁתַּיִם 'bronze fetters'), but רְתֻקָה specifically highlights the function of fastening rather than the material or specific body part involved. In biblical usage, such fetters were used to restrain captives or prisoners, typically by affixing them to the ankles or feet. English translations often render רְתֻקָה as 'chain' or 'fetters,' which accurately reflects the basic meaning, but may not highlight the term's precise nuance of fastening or binding. The concept is tied strongly to the experience of captivity, subjugation, or judicial punishment in ancient Israelite society and is contextually distinct from ornamental chains. The term's usage did not significantly shift over the biblical periods in which it appears.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine passive participle of רָתַק; something fastened, i.e. a chain; chain.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רתק (r-t-q) — to bind, to fasten, to shackle

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H7569	רַתּוֹק	the binding-chain
H7572	רַתִּיקָה	in binding-chains of
H7576	רָתַק	they were securely bound

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H7577-01`	וּ/רְתֻק֥וֹת	uretuqot	`HC/Ncfpc`	chains	binding-chains of	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H7577-01`	Isaiah 40:19	וּ/רְתֻק֥וֹת	uretuqot	`HC/Ncfpc`	chains	binding-chains of

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