Lexical Summary raqab: To rot, decay, decompose Original Word: רָקָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rottenness thing From raqab; decay (by caries) -- rottenness (thing). see HEBREW raqab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raqeb Definition rottenness, decay NASB Translation decay (1), rotten thing (1), rottenness (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs רָקָב noun [masculine] rottenness, decay (always figurative); — ׳ר absolute; apparently of ravages of worm, in בֵּית יְהוּדָה, in figure Hosea 5:12 ("" עָשׁ), compare Job 13:28 ("" id.); elsewhere of decay of bones, caries (in figurative), ׳בְּעַצְמ ׳ר Habakkuk 3:16; Proverbs 12:4, construct ׳רְקֵב עַצְמ Proverbs 14:30. Topical Lexicon Overview The Hebrew noun רָקָב (raqab) speaks of rot, decay, or corrosion—whether of organic matter, skeletal structure, or a nation’s moral fabric. Scripture employs the term as a vivid reminder that whatever is separated from God’s sustaining presence inevitably deteriorates. Each use carries a moral or eschatological weight: temporal decay points to the deeper spiritual corruption produced by sin and to the certain judgment of a holy God. Key Old Testament Occurrences • Job 13:28 – Job laments man’s frailty: “So man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment eaten by moths”. Decay illustrates human mortality under the curse. Themes and Symbolism 1. Mortality and the Fall – Raqab underscores that life apart from God returns to dust (compare Genesis 3:19). Historical Background Ancient agrarian societies battled decay on multiple fronts—moths in textile stores, dry rot in beams, bone disease in human bodies. The prophets drew on these tangible images to communicate spiritual truths. In a world without modern preservatives, the slow, unstoppable spread of rot illustrated the certainty of judgment and the futility of self-reliance. Theological Significance • Anthropology – Humanity’s physical decay mirrors spiritual deadness apart from redemption (Ephesians 2:1). Pastoral and Ministry Applications • Heart Diagnostics – Envy, unresolved shame, or secret sins must be addressed early, lest they become spiritual osteoporosis. Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) and confession (1 John 1:9) arrest decay. Related Concepts Across Scripture • Old Testament parallels – “Moth and rust destroy” (Isaiah 50:9; 51:8). Conclusion Raqab functions as both diagnosis and warning: apart from God, life decays; with Him, decay is ultimately conquered. The term invites believers to vigilance against internal corruption, earnest hope in the Redeemer whose body knew no decay, and confidence that He will one day banish every trace of rot from His renewed creation. Forms and Transliterations וְכָרָקָ֖ב וּכְרָקָ֖ב וּרְקַ֖ב וכרקב ורקב כְּרָקָ֣ב כרקב רָקָ֛ב רקב kə·rā·qāḇ keraKav kərāqāḇ rā·qāḇ raKav rāqāḇ ū·ḵə·rā·qāḇ ū·rə·qaḇ ucheraKav ūḵərāqāḇ ureKav ūrəqaḇ vecharaKav wə·ḵā·rā·qāḇ wəḵārāqāḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 13:28 HEB: וְ֭הוּא כְּרָקָ֣ב יִבְלֶ֑ה כְּ֝בֶ֗גֶד NAS: While I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment KJV: And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, INT: he A rotten I am decaying A garment Proverbs 12:4 Proverbs 14:30 Hosea 5:12 Habakkuk 3:16 5 Occurrences |
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