7387. reqam
Lexical Summary
reqam: Empty-handed, in vain, without cause

Original Word: רֵיקָם
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: reyqam
Pronunciation: ray-KAHM
Phonetic Spelling: (ray-kawm')
KJV: without cause, empty, in vain, void
NASB: empty-handed, empty, without cause
Word Origin: [from H7386 (רֵיק רֵק - empty)]

1. emptily
2. figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
without cause, empty, in vain, void

From reyq; emptily; figuratively (objective) ineffectually, (subjective) undeservedly -- without cause, empty, in vain, void.

see HEBREW reyq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from riq
Definition
emptily, vainly
NASB Translation
empty (6), empty-handed (8), without cause (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
רֵיקָם adverb emptily, vainly; —

1 in empty condition, empty = with empty hands; with verb of sending Genesis 31:42 (E), Deuteronomy 15:13; 1 Samuel 6:3; Job 22:9; of going forth Exodus 3:21, returning Ruth 1:21; Ruth 3:17; = without an offering, ׳לֹא יֵרָאוּ פָנַי ד Exodus 23:15 (E) = Exodus 34:20 (J), more fully Deuteronomy 16:16 (compare [פָנֶה] II.

2 ראה

Niph`al 1 b).

2 in vain, without effect : with שׁוּב 2 Samuel 1:22 (poem), Isaiah 55:11; Jeremiah 14:3 (but see רֵיק

1), Jeremiah 50:9; probably also ׳צוֺרֲרִי ר Psalm 7:5 those who were my adversaries in vain (without success); ׳הַבּוֺגְדִים ר Psalm 25:3 that deal treacherously in vain <in both most without cause).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The Hebrew term רֵיקָם captures ideas of emptiness, vainness, or being sent away “empty-handed.” Across its sixteen appearances, Scripture employs the word to contrast divine generosity with human lack, covenant faithfulness with selfish neglect, and purposeful action with fruitless effort. Whether describing Jacob’s departure from Laban, Israel’s exodus from Egypt, or the unfailing effectiveness of God’s word, רֵיקָם consistently highlights the Lord’s determination that His people neither leave His presence nor treat others without due provision.

Divine Provision and Protection

1. Genesis 31:42 portrays God defending Jacob: “God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and He rebuked you last night.” Laban’s intention to send Jacob away רֵיקָם is thwarted, showing that God secures just recompense for His servants.
2. Exodus 3:21 prefaces the Exodus with the promise: “And I will cause the Egyptians to look favorably on this people, so that when you leave, you will not go away empty-handed.” Deliverance is coupled with restitution.
3. Jeremiah 50:9 extends the theme into judgment language; Babylon will be struck by an invincible army, “their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed.” Divine justice guarantees nothing is in vain.

These texts reveal the Lord as Protector and Provider, ensuring that covenant faithfulness yields tangible blessing while oppression meets measured recompense.

Covenant Worship and Generosity

The Mosaic legislation weaves רֵיקָם into Israel’s festival life. Exodus 23:15, Exodus 34:20, and Deuteronomy 16:16 command every male Israelite not to appear before the Lord “empty-handed.” Worship was never to be a mere formality; it required offerings that acknowledged God’s bounty. Likewise, Deuteronomy 15:13 charges masters to liberate servants with liberal supplies: “When you release him, do not send him away empty-handed.” Covenant worship and social ethics are inseparable—those who receive grace must give generously.

Ethics of Human Relationships

Several narratives employ רֵיקָם to spotlight compassion—or its absence—in ordinary life:

Ruth 1:21 records Naomi’s grief: “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Her lament frames the book’s exploration of loyal love. The Lord answers in Ruth 3:17 when Boaz sends Ruth home, saying, “Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed,” underwriting redemption through covenant kindness.
Job 22:9 indicts the wicked who “sent widows away empty-handed,” a sin the Lord condemns.
Psalm 7:4 and Psalm 25:3 shift the word’s nuance to “without cause,” stressing moral innocence: David refuses to harm others רֵיקָם and trusts that none who wait on the Lord will be shamed.

Interpersonal dealings are to mirror God’s character—never depriving the vulnerable, never acting without just cause.

Prophetic and Poetic Assurance

Isaiah 55:11 anchors the Bible’s doctrine of revelation: “So My word that goes forth from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and prosper where I send it.” The word that created the world is neither powerless nor purposeless; it achieves the Lord’s decrees. Psalmists and prophets apply this principle pastorally: hope in God’s promises is never futile, and wicked schemes are always ultimately fruitless.

Historical Perspective

In ancient Near Eastern culture, appearing before a sovereign without a gift signified disrespect. The Torah’s prohibitions against approaching God רֵיקָם placed Israel’s worship within a familiar social framework yet elevated the practice by rooting it in covenant grace. Similarly, redemption-price provisions for freed servants and widows distinguished Israelite society from surrounding nations, foregrounding the Lord’s compassion.

Ministry Significance

1. Stewardship: Believers gather on the first day of the week anticipating Christ’s return, mindful that worship is still not to be rendered רֵיקָם. Offerings, prayers, and lives are to be given in thankful response to redemption.
2. Social Justice: Churches must not send the needy away empty-handed; diaconal ministry flows from the gospel pattern set in Deuteronomy and Ruth.
3. Preaching and Mission: Isaiah 55:11 grounds confidence that faithful proclamation never returns void. Evangelism, discipleship, and global missions operate on the certainty that God’s word accomplishes His saving purposes.
4. Pastoral Encouragement: Naomi’s journey from empty to full anticipates the resurrection hope that God turns mourning into joy. Congregations facing apparent futility rest on the assurance that obedience, though costly, is never in vain.

Conclusion

רֵיקָם threads through Scripture as a warning against hollow worship and unjust neglect, yet primarily as a testimony to the Lord’s overflowing generosity. From patriarchs to prophets, from feasts in Jerusalem to the promise that God’s word will perform His will, the Bible proclaims that those who trust and obey Him will never be left empty-handed.

Forms and Transliterations
וְרֵיקָ֖ם וריקם רֵיקָ֑ם רֵיקָ֔ם רֵיקָ֖ם רֵיקָ֣ם רֵיקָֽם׃ ריקם ריקם׃ rê·qām reiKam rêqām vereiKam wə·rê·qām wərêqām
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 31:42
HEB: כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה רֵיקָ֣ם שִׁלַּחְתָּ֑נִי אֶת־
NAS: you would have sent me away empty-handed. God
KJV: had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God
INT: surely now empty-handed have sent my affliction

Exodus 3:21
HEB: לֹ֥א תֵלְכ֖וּ רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: you will not go empty-handed.
KJV: ye shall not go empty:
INT: you will not go empty-handed

Exodus 23:15
HEB: יֵרָא֥וּ פָנַ֖י רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: shall appear before Me empty-handed.
KJV: before me empty:)
INT: shall appear before empty-handed

Exodus 34:20
HEB: יֵרָא֥וּ פָנַ֖י רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: shall appear before Me empty-handed.
KJV: And none shall appear before me empty.
INT: shall appear before empty-handed

Deuteronomy 15:13
HEB: לֹ֥א תְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: you shall not send him away empty-handed.
KJV: from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:
INT: shall not send empty-handed

Deuteronomy 16:16
HEB: פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: before the LORD empty-handed.
KJV: before the LORD empty:
INT: before the LORD empty-handed

Ruth 1:21
HEB: מְלֵאָ֣ה הָלַ֔כְתִּי וְרֵיקָ֖ם הֱשִׁיבַ֣נִי יְהוָ֑ה
NAS: has brought me back empty. Why
KJV: hath brought me home again empty: why [then] call
INT: accomplish went empty has brought the LORD

Ruth 3:17
HEB: אַל־ תָּב֥וֹאִי רֵיקָ֖ם אֶל־ חֲמוֹתֵֽךְ׃
NAS: to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'
KJV: to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.
INT: about go empty nay to your mother-in-law

1 Samuel 6:3
HEB: תְּשַׁלְּח֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ רֵיקָ֔ם כִּֽי־ הָשֵׁ֥ב
NAS: do not send it empty; but you shall surely
KJV: send it not empty; but in any wise
INT: nay away empty for shall surely

2 Samuel 1:22
HEB: לֹ֥א תָשׁ֖וּב רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: of Saul did not return empty.
KJV: of Saul returned not empty.
INT: did not return empty

Job 22:9
HEB: אַ֭לְמָנוֹת שִׁלַּ֣חְתָּ רֵיקָ֑ם וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים
NAS: away empty, And the strength
KJV: widows away empty, and the arms
INT: widows have sent empty and the strength of the orphans

Psalm 7:4
HEB: וָאֲחַלְּצָ֖ה צוֹרְרִ֣י רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: Or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary,
KJV: with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
INT: have plundered was my adversary without

Psalm 25:3
HEB: יֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ הַבּוֹגְדִ֥ים רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
KJV: which transgress without cause.
INT: will be ashamed deal without

Isaiah 55:11
HEB: יָשׁ֥וּב אֵלַ֖י רֵיקָ֑ם כִּ֤י אִם־
NAS: It will not return to Me empty, Without
KJV: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish
INT: return to me empty for lo

Jeremiah 14:3
HEB: שָׁ֤בוּ כְלֵיהֶם֙ רֵיקָ֔ם בֹּ֥שׁוּ וְהָכְלְמ֖וּ
NAS: with their vessels empty; They have been put to shame
KJV: with their vessels empty; they were ashamed
INT: have returned their vessels empty have been and humiliated

Jeremiah 50:9
HEB: לֹ֥א יָשׁ֖וּב רֵיקָֽם׃
NAS: Who does not return empty-handed.
KJV: expert man; none shall return in vain.
INT: does not return empty-handed

16 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7387
16 Occurrences


rê·qām — 15 Occ.
wə·rê·qām — 1 Occ.

7386
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