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רָקַד

𐤓𐤒𐤃

râqad

H7540 verb

SILEX Entry

Root רקד to leap, to spring, to skip

Definition

To leap or spring, particularly in an exuberant or rhythmic manner; frequently used to denote dancing, often associated with joy, celebration, or religious revelry. The term conveys physical movement marked by energetic leaping or skipping, either literally or in a figurative sense (such as describing nature—mountains, hills—or people responding to joyful occasions).

Semantic Range

to leap energetically, to jump, to skip, to dance (with joy), to move with jubilant energy, to spring around (in celebration), to describe exuberant or lively movement (of people or nature)

Root / Etymology

Root רָקַד (ר-ק-ד), associated with the idea of leaping or springing. The root in Semitic languages conveys the sense of sudden upward motion or energetic physical movement, from which the meaning 'to dance' derives by extension to coordinated, rhythmic leaping characteristic of ancient dance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רָקַד appears in poetry and narrative to describe human activity—most often festive dancing that is expressive of joy or triumph, as well as figurative use (e.g., mountains 'leaping' to personify creation's response to YHWH or to depict lively celebration). The term may imply unstructured, exuberant movement rather than choreographed performance, as seen in ancient Israelite festival contexts (e.g., 1 Samuel 18:6, Ps 29:6). It lacks the cultic specificity of other Hebrew terms for 'dancing,' focusing on the physical vivacity rather than ritual order. In later usage and translations, the word was sometimes rendered simply as 'dance,' but 'skip' or 'leap' may better capture the original sense in certain figurative passages. It is distinct from חוּל (H2342), another root for dancing, which emphasizes circular or whirling motion.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy); dance, jump, leap, skip.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

רקד (r-q-d) — to leap, to spring, to skip

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7540-08 יְרַקֵּד֔וּ/ן yeraqedun HVpi3mp/Sn dance they will leap about 2
H7540-07 יְרַקְּדוּ yeraqedu HVpi3mp will dance they will leap exuberantly 1
H7540-06 וַ/יַּרְקִידֵ֥/ם vayareqidem HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp and he makes them skip and he causes them to leap 1
H7540-01 מְרַקֵּ֣ד meraqed HVprmsa dancing the exuberantly leaping one 1
H7540-02 מְרַקֵּדָֽה meraqedah HVprfsa bounding exuberantly leaping one 1
H7540-04 רְקֽוֹד reqod HVqc to leap 1
H7540-05 תִּרְקְד֣וּ tireqedu HVqi2mp that you skip you will leap 1
H7540-03 רָקְד֣וּ raqedu HVqp3cp skipped they leaped about 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7540-07 Isaiah 13:21 יְרַקְּדוּ yeraqedu HVpi3mp will dance they will leap exuberantly
H7540-08 Joel 2:5 יְרַקֵּד֔וּ/ן yeraqedun HVpi3mp/Sn they leap they will leap about
H7540-02 Nahum 3:2 מְרַקֵּדָֽה meraqedah HVprfsa bounding exuberantly leaping one
H7540-06 Psalms 29:6 וַ/יַּרְקִידֵ֥/ם vayareqidem HC/Vhw3ms/Sp3mp and he makes them skip and he causes them to leap
H7540-03 Psalms 114:4 רָקְד֣וּ raqedu HVqp3cp skipped they leaped about
H7540-05 Psalms 114:6 תִּרְקְד֣וּ tireqedu HVqi2mp that you skip you will leap
H7540-08 Job 21:11 יְרַקֵּדֽוּ/ן yeraqedun HVpi3mp/Sn dance they will leap about
H7540-04 Ecclesiastes 3:4 רְקֽוֹד reqod HVqc to leap
H7540-01 1 Chronicles 15:29 מְרַקֵּ֣ד meraqed HVprmsa dancing the exuberantly leaping one
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