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רַגְלִי

𐤓𐤂𐤋𐤉

raglîy

H7273 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root רגל to walk, go on foot, tread, travel

Definition

Pertaining to or characterized by traveling or operating on foot; specifically, a foot soldier or infantryman, as distinct from cavalry or charioteer. In non-military contexts, also denotes 'pedestrian' or 'one who goes by foot.' Used as an adjective describing the means of moving about or fighting, particularly in military language, but also of travel and social status.

Semantic Range

foot soldier, infantryman, pedestrian, traveling on foot, one who goes by foot

Root / Etymology

רֵגֶל (regel, 'foot') is the underlying root. רַגְלִי (raglîy) is the adjectival form, meaning 'of the foot,' literally. The formation indicates relation or affiliation with using the foot or movement by foot.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, רַגְלִי frequently occurs in military contexts, where it designates infantry soldiers as opposed to charioteers or cavalry (e.g., 1 Samuel 4:10; 2 Samuel 8:4). The presence of substantial numbers of foot soldiers is typical of Israelite and neighboring Near Eastern armies prior to the widespread introduction of cavalry. In some narrative and legal contexts, רַגְלִי can mean 'on foot' or 'pedestrian,' highlighting the manner of travel or status relative to those with chariots or animals for riding. The later English term 'footman' or 'pedestrian' often narrows the meaning, overlooking its regular use as a technical military term for lower-ranking soldiers. Rarely, the term may be used as a social status marker (contrasted with more elite or wealthy classes able to travel mounted). Translators should attend to the context in order to avoid anachronistic or overly specific renderings like 'footman' where the basic distinction is simply 'on foot.' The term's usage remains relatively consistent in the biblical record, with slight shifts toward the technical military sense in monarchic and later narratives.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רֶגֶל; a footman (soldier); (on) foot(-man).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רגל (r-g-l) — walk, go on foot, tread, travel

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4772 מַרְגְלָה his foot-places
H7270 רָגַל the scouting ones
H7271 רְגַל with her foot
H7272 רֶגֶל by foot
H7274 רֹגְלִים from the Walkers

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7273-01 רַגְלִ֛י rageli HAamsa foot foot-soldier 11
H7273-02 רַגְלִ֥ים ragelim HAampa footmen foot-soldiers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7273-01 Exodus 12:37 רַגְלִ֛י rageli HAamsa on foot foot-soldier
H7273-01 Numbers 11:21 רַגְלִ֔י rageli HAamsa on foot foot-soldier
H7273-01 Judges 20:2 רַגְלִ֖י rageli HAamsa foot foot-soldier
H7273-01 1 Samuel 4:10 רַגְלִֽי rageli HAamsa foot soldiers foot-soldier
H7273-01 1 Samuel 15:4 רַגְלִ֑י rageli HAamsa foot soldiers foot-soldier
H7273-01 2 Samuel 8:4 רַגְלִ֑י rageli HAamsa foot foot-soldier
H7273-01 2 Samuel 10:6 רַגְלִ֔י rageli HAamsa foot soldiers foot-soldier
H7273-01 1 Kings 20:29 רַגְלִ֖י rageli HAamsa footmen foot-soldier
H7273-01 2 Kings 13:7 רַגְלִ֑י rageli HAamsa footmen foot-soldier
H7273-02 Jeremiah 12:5 רַגְלִ֥ים ragelim HAampa footmen foot-soldiers
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