◄ 7387. reqam ►
Strong's Lexicon reqam: Empty-handed, in vain, without cause Original Word: רֵיקָם Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: reyqam Pronunciation: ray-KAHM Phonetic Spelling: (ray-kawm') Definition: emptily, ineffectually, undeservedly Meaning: The term רֵיקָם is an adverb meaning "emptily," "ineffectually," or "undeservedly." It conveys the sense of being without result, purpose, or reward. Word Origin: Derived from the root רֵיק (rek), meaning "empty." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek equivalent of רֵיקָם is often associated with Strong's Greek Number G2756, κενός (kenos), which means "empty" or "vain." This Greek term is used in the New Testament to describe actions or beliefs that are without substance or effect, similar to the Hebrew רֵיקָם. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 15:14, Paul states, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith," using κενός to emphasize the futility of faith without the resurrection. Usage: רֵיקָם is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe actions or situations that result in nothing or are without effect. It often appears in contexts where efforts or expectations are unmet or unfulfilled. Context: רֵיקָם appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, often highlighting the futility or lack of reward in human endeavors. For example, in Exodus 3:21, God promises the Israelites that they will not leave Egypt "empty-handed" (רֵיקָם), signifying that they will not depart without the wealth of the Egyptians. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 15:13, the Israelites are instructed not to send a freed servant away "empty-handed" (רֵיקָם), emphasizing the importance of providing for those who have served. In Ruth 1:21, Naomi laments that she went away full but the LORD has brought her back "empty" (רֵיקָם), expressing her sense of loss and unfulfilled expectations. The term is also used in contexts of divine justice, as seen in Job 22:9, where the wicked are accused of sending widows away "empty-handed" (רֵיקָם), highlighting their lack of compassion and justice. Overall, רֵיקָם underscores themes of justice, provision, and the fulfillment of divine promises. 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). 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 Forms and Transliterations וְרֵיקָ֖ם וריקם רֵיקָ֑ם רֵיקָ֔ם רֵיקָ֖ם רֵיקָ֣ם רֵיקָֽם׃ ריקם ריקם׃ rê·qām reiKam rêqām vereiKam wə·rê·qām wərêqām Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel 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.