רֶגֶל
𐤓𐤂𐤋
regel
H7272 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Foot—specifically the lower extremity of the leg, used for walking, standing, and movement. The term is used literally for the physical foot and, by extension and metonymy, for a range of related meanings including: a person's gait or steps; times or occasions (especially in set phrases denoting recurring events or pilgrimages); a person's presence in or movement to a place; territory possessed or traversed ('under one's foot'); and, euphemistically, the genitals. Figuratively, it can denote subjugation or dominance ('placed under the foot'), perseverance or endurance, or one who frequents a place (as in 'haunt').
Semantic Range
foot (anatomical), step, journey or pilgrimage (by synecdoche), presence, time/occasion (esp. ritual or regular gathering), territory or possession (under one's foot), euphemism for the genitals, expression of dominance/subjugation, frequenting/habituating (as in haunt), endurance (to stand/last), extremity/bottom portion (of objects, e.g., legs of furniture)
Root / Etymology
Root רגל (ר-ג-ל), meaning primarily 'to walk' or 'to move on foot.' רֶגֶל is a nominal formation from this root, denoting the foot as the bodily member facilitating walking. The term retains traceable links to related Semitic languages.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רֶגֶל consistently refers to the foot throughout the Hebrew Bible, but its figurative and idiomatic uses are varied. In narrative and poetic contexts from the patriarchal through monarchic periods, it can indicate physical movement or journeying (e.g., to 'go up by foot' or for a pilgrimage). In legal and ritual contexts, expressions such as 'three times a year' use רֶגֶל for set festival occasions, reinforcing the association with pilgrimage (Exodus 23:14–17). The word is also employed in idioms denoting subordination or dominance (to be under one's foot—Deut 11:24), and its occurrence in euphemistic or non-literal senses (e.g., for the genitals—Isaiah 7:20, Daniel 2:33, Deut 28:57) reflects the breadth of its semantic reach. Septuagint translations variously render it as 'foot,' but often lack the Hebrew idioms' full nuance. English translations sometimes obscure the sexual or corporeal connotations, especially in euphemistic passages or idioms. Distinctive terms such as פַּעַם (paʿam, 'step,' 'occasion') overlap with רֶגֶל, but רֶגֶל emphasizes the member itself or ritual movement. In exilic and post-exilic texts, the associations broaden to include ritual journeys to festivals. Careful attention to context is necessary to distinguish literal, idiomatic, and euphemistic uses.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָגַל; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda; [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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רגל (r-g-l) — to walk, move by foot, travel, spy out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4772 | מַרְגְלָה | his foot-places |
| H7270 | רָגַל | the scouting ones |
| H7271 | רְגַל | with her foot |
| H7273 | רַגְלִי | foot-soldier |
| H7274 | רֹגְלִים | from the Walkers |
Word Forms
56 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7272-26 |
רַגְלָ֔י/ו | ragelayv | HNcfdc/Sp3ms |
his feet | his feet | 32 |
H7272-23 |
רַגְלַ֖/י | ragelay | HNcfdc/Sp1cs |
my feet | my feet | 23 |
H7272-27 |
רַגְלְ/ךָ֖ | ragelekha | HNcfsc/Sp2ms |
your foot | your foot | 16 |
H7272-33 |
רַגְלֵי/הֶ֔ם | rageleyhem | HNcfdc/Sp3mp |
their feet | their feet | 15 |
H7272-40 |
רֶ֖גֶל | regel | HNcfsa |
foot | foot | 13 |
H7272-05 |
בְּ/רַגְלָ֔י/ו | beragelayv | HR/Ncfdc/Sp3ms |
on his feet | by his two feet | 13 |
H7272-38 |
רַגְל֖/וֹ | ragelo | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his foot | his foot | 12 |
H7272-31 |
רַגְלֵ֣י | rageley | HNcfdc |
feet | feet of | 11 |
H7272-32 |
רַגְלֶ֗י/הָ | rageleyha | HNcfdc/Sp3fs |
her feet | her feet | 7 |
H7272-35 |
רַגְלֵי/כֶ֑ם | rageleykhem | HNcfdc/Sp2mp |
feet-your | your two feet | 7 |
Occurrences in Scripture
251 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7272-21 |
Genesis 8:9 | רַגְלָ֗/הּ | ragelah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
her foot | her foot |
H7272-35 |
Genesis 18:4 | רַגְלֵי/כֶ֑ם | rageleykhem | HNcfdc/Sp2mp |
your feet | your two feet |
H7272-35 |
Genesis 19:2 | רַגְלֵי/כֶ֔ם | rageleykhem | HNcfdc/Sp2mp |
your feet | your two feet |
H7272-26 |
Genesis 24:32 | רַגְלָ֔י/ו | ragelayv | HNcfdc/Sp3ms |
his feet | his feet |
H7272-52 |
Genesis 24:32 | וְ/רַגְלֵ֥י | verageley | HC/Ncfdc |
and the feet of | and feet of |
H7272-26 |
Genesis 29:1 | רַגְלָ֑י/ו | ragelayv | HNcfdc/Sp3ms |
his feet | his feet |
H7272-17 |
Genesis 30:30 | לְ/רַגְלִ֑/י | lerageli | HR/Ncfsc/Sp1cs |
wherever I turned | to my foot |
H7272-19 |
Genesis 33:14 | לְ/רֶ֨גֶל | leregel | HR/Ncfsc |
according to the pace of | to the foot of |
H7272-44 |
Genesis 33:14 | וּ/לְ/רֶ֣גֶל | uleregel | HC/R/Ncfsc |
and according to the pace of | and to the foot-of |
H7272-38 |
Genesis 41:44 | רַגְל֖/וֹ | ragelo | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his foot | his foot |