What does רָקַח (rāqaḥ) mean in the Bible?
רָקַח (rāqaḥ): Skilled compounding of fragrant substances; denotes artisanal preparation requiring expert knowledge and precise blending
Hebrew · H7543
רָקַח
To perfume
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רָקַחH7543
Pronunciationrāqaḥ
What does רָקַח (rāqaḥ) mean in the Bible?
רָקַח (rāqaḥ): Skilled compounding of fragrant substances; denotes artisanal preparation requiring expert knowledge and precise blending
Full entry for רָקַח (H7543) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H7543?
The BSB source-word alignment has 8 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include [the work] of a perfumer (1), and mix in (1), mixed (1), mixes perfume (1), of a perfumer (1).
Where does רָקַח (rāqaḥ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 30:25. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (4), 1 Chronicles (1), 2 Chronicles (1), Ecclesiastes (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It[the work] of a perfumer1×Exodus 37:29
and mix in1×Ezekiel 24:10
mixed1×1 Chronicles 9:30
mixes perfume1×Exodus 30:33
of a perfumer1×Exodus 30:25
perfumes1×2 Chronicles 16:14
the work of a perfumer1×Exodus 30:35
to the perfumer’s1×Ecclesiastes 10:1
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 30:25רֹקֵ֑חַtoof a perfumerVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularExodus 30:33יִרְקַ֣חtomixes perfumeVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularExodus 30:35רוֹקֵ֑חַtothe work of a perfumerVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularExodus 37:29רֹקֵֽחַ׃פto[the work] of a perfumerVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1 Chronicles 9:30רֹקְחֵ֥יtomixedVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct2 Chronicles 16:14מְרֻקָּחִ֖יםtoperfumesVerb - Pual - Participle - masculine pluralEcclesiastes 10:1רוֹקֵ֑חַtoto the perfumer’sVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularEzekiel 24:10וְהַרְקַח֙toand mix inConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 30:25
Aligned rows8
Books represented5
Exodus41 Chronicles12 Chronicles1Ecclesiastes1Ezekiel1
Source forms
רוֹקֵ֑חַ2xrō·w·qê·aḥExodus 30:35, Ecclesiastes 10:1
וְהַרְקַח֙1xwə·har·qaḥEzekiel 24:10
יִרְקַ֣ח1xyir·qaḥExodus 30:33
מְרֻקָּחִ֖ים1xmə·ruq·qā·ḥîm2 Chronicles 16:14
רֹקֵ֑חַ1xrō·qê·aḥExodus 30:25
רֹקֵֽחַ׃פ1xrō·qê·aḥExodus 37:29
רֹקְחֵ֥י1xrō·qə·ḥê1 Chronicles 9:30
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular4xExodus 30:25, Exodus 30:35, Exodus 37:29, Ecclesiastes 10:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute1xEzekiel 24:10
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural1x2 Chronicles 16:14
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular1xExodus 30:33
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct1x1 Chronicles 9:30
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Skilled compounding of fragrant substances; denotes artisanal preparation requiring expert knowledge and precise blending
Source Gloss
to perfume
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Skilled compounding of fragrant substances; denotes artisanal preparation requiring expert knowledge and precise blending
to perfume BDB: mix Usage: apothecary, compound, make (ointment), prepare, spice.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms7
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense6×
Participle active1Chr 9:30 · Eccl 10:1 · Exod 30:25 · Exod 30:35 · Exod 37:295×
ImperfectExod 30:331×
Pualintensive passive — intensive action received by the subject1×
Participle passive2Chr 16:141×
Word Origins
רָקַח is a primitive root - no further derivation.