◄ 4469. rhaka ►
Strong's Lexicon rhaka: Fool; Empty-headed; Worthless Original Word: ῥακά Part of Speech: Aramaic Transliterated Word (Indeclinable) Transliteration: rhaka Pronunciation: rah-KAH Phonetic Spelling: (rhak-ah') Definition: Fool; Empty-headed; Worthless Meaning: empty, foolish. Word Origin: Aramaic origin, likely derived from the Aramaic term "reqa," meaning "empty" or "worthless." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent in Strong's Concordance, the concept of foolishness or worthlessness can be related to Hebrew terms such as "נָבָל" (nabal, Strong's H5036), meaning "fool" or "senseless." Usage: The term "rhaka" is used as a derogatory expression, implying that someone is empty-headed or foolish. It is an insult that conveys contempt and disdain for another person's intelligence or character. Cultural and Historical Background: In the cultural context of the New Testament, particularly in Jewish society, words carried significant weight, and insults were taken seriously. The use of "rhaka" would have been considered a severe verbal offense, reflecting a deep-seated anger or disdain. The term is Aramaic, a language commonly spoken in the region during the time of Jesus, which adds to its cultural relevance. HELPS Word-studies 4469 rhaká (apparently related to the Aramaic term rōq, "empty") – properly, empty-headed. This term expressed contempt for a man's head, viewing him as stupid (without sense) – i.e. a "numbskull" who acts presumptuously and thoughtlessly (TDNT). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin of Aramaic origin reqam Definition empty (an expression of contempt) NASB Translation good-for-nothing (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4469: ῤακά ῤακά (Tdf. ῤαχά; (the better accentuation seems to be ῤακά; cf. Kautzsch, Gram. d. Biblical-Aram., p. 8)), an Aramaic word רֵיקָא (but according to Kautzsch (as above), p. 10) not the stative emphatic of רֵיק, but shortened from רֵיקָן (Hebrew רִיק), empty, i. e. a senseless, empty-headed man, a term of reproach used by the Jews in the time of Christ (B. D., under the word ; Wünsche, Erläuterung as above with, p. 47): Matthew 5:22. STRONGS NT 4469: ῤαχά [ῤαχά, see ῤακά.] Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Raca. Of Chaldee origin (compare reyq); O empty one, i.e. Thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification) -- Raca. see HEBREW reyq Forms and Transliterations Ρακα ρακά Ῥακά Raka Rhaka Rhaká Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:22 Aram GRK: ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ Ῥακά ἔνοχος ἔσται NAS: to his brother, You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty KJV: brother, Raca, shall be INT: brother of him Raca liable will be Strong's Greek 4469 1 Occurrence Ῥακά — 1 Occ.