Lexical Summary roqach: Perfumer, compounder, apothecary Original Word: רֹקַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confection, ointment From Raqqown; an aromatic -- confection, ointment. see HEBREW Raqqown NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raqach Definition spice mixture, perfume NASB Translation perfume (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs רֹ֫קֵחַ noun [masculine] spice-mixture, perfume; — of holy oil, מִרְקַחַת מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵחַ ׳ר Exodus 30:25; of incense, מַעֲשֵׂה רוֺקֵחַ ׳ר Exodus 30:35. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope Strong’s Hebrew 7545 refers to a carefully blended perfume or unguent prepared by a skilled perfumer. Scripture confines its use to the wilderness instructions for the tabernacle, underscoring its exclusivity for sacred service. Placement within Exodus and Tabernacle Symbolism Both occurrences appear in Exodus 30, a chapter devoted to sanctifying the tabernacle, its ministers, and their service. In verse 25 the term describes the holy anointing oil; in verse 35 it describes the holy incense. By limiting רֹקַח to these two compositions, the text links the word inseparably to consecration and worship. The Holy Anointing Oil (Exodus 30:22-33) The oil combined myrrh, cinnamon, cane, and cassia in olive oil. “Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be a sacred anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25). This perfumed compound set apart the tent, the furnishings, and the priesthood for divine service. Its exclusive recipe and prohibition against common use (Exodus 30:31-33) guarded the holiness of God’s dwelling and emphasized that access to Him requires sanctification. The Holy Incense (Exodus 30:34-38) Immediately after the anointing oil, Moses received directions for incense composed of fragrant spices with salt. “And make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy” (Exodus 30:35). Like the oil, the incense was to be burned only before the LORD on the golden altar. Its aroma represented the prayers of the people (compare Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3-4) and served as a perpetual reminder that worship must be offered in purity. The Perfumer’s Craft in Ancient Israel Perfuming in the ancient Near East required expert knowledge of botanicals, extraction, and compounding. The “perfumer” (רָקַח, from the same root) appears elsewhere (Exodus 37:29; Ecclesiastes 10:1) as one whose skill could produce either sweet fragrance or offensive stench, illustrating the moral weight attached to the craft. Within the tabernacle economy, the perfumer’s art was elevated from commerce to consecration. Theological Themes 1. Holiness: Both oil and incense were “holy,” reserved solely for God (Exodus 30:29, 37-38). Messianic and Ecclesial Implications The Messiah, whose very title “Christ” means “Anointed One,” fulfills the symbolism of רֹקַח. His life and atoning death emit the pleasing aroma that satisfies divine justice and invites believers into priestly ministry (1 Peter 2:5). The church, sharing His anointing by the Spirit (1 John 2:20, 27), becomes the temple fragrant with prayer and holiness. Practical Ministry Applications • Guard the purity of worship by adhering to biblical patterns rather than cultural preferences. Summary רֹקַח, though rare, anchors crucial concepts of consecration, mediation, and fragrant worship in Exodus. Its carefully guarded use prefigures the perfect anointing and fragrant offering of Christ and calls believers to live as holy vessels through whom the aroma of the gospel spreads in every place. Forms and Transliterations רֹ֖קַח רֹ֥קַח רקח rō·qaḥ Rokach rōqaḥLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 30:25 HEB: מִשְׁחַת־ קֹ֔דֶשׁ רֹ֥קַח מִרְקַ֖חַת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה NAS: oil, a perfume mixture, KJV: ointment, an ointment compound INT: anointing A holy A perfume mixture the art Exodus 30:35 2 Occurrences |
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