רִיק
𐤓𐤉𐤒
rîyq
H7385 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or condition of emptiness, lack, or being devoid of substance; frequently used both literally, to describe being empty or devoid (e.g., empty vessels), and figuratively, to denote futility or worthlessness (e.g., an empty pursuit or something lacking value or effect). Often functions adverbially to convey the idea of 'in vain', 'to no effect', or 'fruitlessly'.
Semantic Range
emptiness, void, lack of substance, worthlessness, futility, doing something to no effect, uselessness, in vain, empty thing, vanity
Root / Etymology
From the root רוק (r-w-q), whose core meaning is 'to empty' or 'make void'. The noun form רִיק (rîyq) denotes the condition or state resulting from the action of the root—emptiness or voidness. The relationship between the verbal root and the noun conveys the conceptual movement from action (to empty out) to resultant state (emptiness, uselessness, futility).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, רִיק is found in both literal contexts (e.g., referring to an empty vessel or container) and figurative contexts (e.g., actions producing no result or worth, pursuits without substance). In later biblical and post-biblical developments, rîyq was especially used in formulaic expressions such as 'in vain' (לָרִיק, la-rîyq) to denote futility or lack of effect. Its negative connotation contrasts with words signifying 'fullness' (מְלֵא). The nuance of 'worthlessness' or 'futility' may at times reference not only literal physical emptiness, but also actions or utterances that are bereft of benefit or significance. English translations such as 'in vain' or 'worthless thing' capture only part of its usage, and do not always reflect its concrete and processual sense. The word appears in poetic, prophetic, and legal contexts, reflecting a range from literal objects to metaphorical or ethical dimensions of fruitlessness. The concept resists neat categorization within any particular religious or social context—while it often carries a negative value judgment, it is not inherently moral or theological in usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רוּק; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain; empty, to no purpose, (in) vain (thing), vanity.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רוק (r-w-q) — to empty, make void, pour out
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7385-03 |
רִ֔יק | riq | HNcmsa |
nothing | emptiness | 6 |
H7385-01 |
לָ/רִיק֙ | lariq | HRd/Ncmsa |
in vain | to emptiness | 3 |
H7385-02 |
לְ/רִ֣יק | leriq | HR/Ncmsa |
in vain | to emptiness | 2 |
H7385-04 |
וָ/רִ֖יק | variq | HC/Ncmsa |
and-emptiness | and emptiness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
12 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7385-01 |
Leviticus 26:16 | לָ/רִיק֙ | lariq | HRd/Ncmsa |
in-vain | to emptiness |
H7385-01 |
Leviticus 26:20 | לָ/רִ֖יק | lariq | HRd/Ncmsa |
in vain | to emptiness |
H7385-04 |
Isaiah 30:7 | וָ/רִ֖יק | variq | HC/Ncmsa |
and-emptiness | and emptiness |
H7385-02 |
Isaiah 49:4 | לְ/רִ֣יק | leriq | HR/Ncmsa |
in vain | to emptiness |
H7385-01 |
Isaiah 65:23 | לָ/רִ֔יק | lariq | HRd/Ncmsa |
in vain | to emptiness |
H7385-03 |
Jeremiah 51:34 | רִ֔יק | riq | HNcmsa |
empty | emptiness |
H7385-03 |
Jeremiah 51:58 | רִ֛יק | riq | HNcmsa |
nothing | emptiness |
H7385-03 |
Habakkuk 2:13 | רִ֥יק | riq | HNcmsa |
nothing | emptiness |
H7385-03 |
Psalms 2:1 | רִֽיק | riq | HNcmsa |
a vain thing | emptiness |
H7385-03 |
Psalms 4:3 | רִ֑יק | riq | HNcmsa |
vanity | emptiness |