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רֶגַע

𐤓𐤂𐤏

regaʻ

H7281 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A brief unit or period of time; a moment, instant, or very short interval. In some contexts, conveys the sense of suddenness or brevity, particularly in expressions denoting a change or a pause that occurs quickly or unexpectedly.

Semantic Range

moment, instant, very short time, suddenness, pause, transient interval

Root / Etymology

From רָגַע (r-g-ʿ), root meaning 'to be at rest, be quiet, to pause.' רֶגַע (regaʻ) is a nominal formation denoting 'the time of a pause,' thus referring to a brief or transient duration.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רֶגַע occurs mainly in poetic or elevated prose texts, frequently describing the fleeting nature of events (e.g., divine wrath or comfort lasting only a moment; see Isaiah 54:7–8, Psalm 30:6). The word expresses not just quantitative brevity but often qualitative impact—a sudden change, interruption, or short-lived state. It can be contrasted with other Hebrew terms for time such as שָׁעָה (shaʻah, 'hour, period'), which often indicates a longer or more indefinite duration. While standard English translations as 'moment' or 'instant' capture the basic sense of the word, they may miss nuances of suddenness or transition that the Hebrew sometimes implies. רֶגַע does not occur with precise temporal measurement, but rather as a relative indication of sudden or transitory experience. Its use remains consistent from pre-exilic to post-exilic periods, without significant semantic shift.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָגַע.; a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time; instant, moment, space, suddenly.

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

רגע (margôwaʻ) — to be at rest, to be quiet, to calm, to settle

Root רגע to be at rest, to pause, to become quiet
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4771 מַרְגּוֹעַ resting-place
H4774 מַרְגֵּעָה the calming respite
H7280 רָגַע I will cause to rest
H7282 רָגֵעַ calm ones of

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7281-06 רֶ֧גַע rega HNcmsa moment a brief pause in a moment 9
H7281-04 לִ/רְגָעִ֔ים liregaim HR/Ncmpa every moment for brief moments for brief moments 4
H7281-05 רָֽגַע raga HNcmsa a moment a brief pause a brief pause 3
H7281-02 כְּ/רָֽגַע keraga HR/Ncmsa in-a-moment like a brief pause in an instant 2
H7281-01 בְּ/רֶ֥גַע berega HR/Ncmsa for a moment in a brief pause in a brief moment 1
H7281-03 כְ/רָ֑גַע kheraga HR/Ncmsa in a moment like a brief pause like a brief moment 1
H7281-07 וּ֝/בְ/רֶ֗גַע uverega HC/R/Ncmsa and in a moment and in a pause-moment and in a moment 1
H7281-08 וְ/רֶ֣גַע verega HC/Ncmsa And at [the] instant a brief pause at an instant 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7281-06 Exodus 33:5 רֶ֧גַע rega HNcmsa moment a brief pause moment
H7281-02 Numbers 16:21 כְּ/רָֽגַע keraga HR/Ncmsa in an instant like a brief pause in an instant
H7281-02 Numbers 17:10 כְּ/רָ֑גַע keraga HR/Ncmsa in-a-moment like a brief pause like a brief pause
H7281-06 Isaiah 26:20 רֶ֖גַע rega HNcmsa moment a brief pause moment
H7281-04 Isaiah 27:3 לִ/רְגָעִ֖ים liregaim HR/Ncmpa every moment for brief moments for brief moments
H7281-06 Isaiah 47:9 רֶ֛גַע rega HNcmsa suddenly a brief pause a brief pause
H7281-01 Isaiah 54:7 בְּ/רֶ֥גַע berega HR/Ncmsa for a moment in a brief pause in a brief moment
H7281-06 Isaiah 54:8 רֶ֨גַע֙ rega HNcmsa for a moment a brief pause for a moment
H7281-06 Jeremiah 4:20 רֶ֖גַע rega HNcmsa in a moment a brief pause in a moment
H7281-06 Jeremiah 18:7 רֶ֣גַע rega HNcmsa moment a brief pause a moment
H7281-08 Jeremiah 18:9 וְ/רֶ֣גַע verega HC/Ncmsa And at [the] instant a brief pause at an instant
H7281-04 Ezekiel 26:16 לִ/רְגָעִ֔ים liregaim HR/Ncmpa every moment for brief moments for moments
H7281-04 Ezekiel 32:10 לִ/רְגָעִים֙ liregaim HR/Ncmpa every moment for brief moments every moment
H7281-05 Psalms 6:11 רָֽגַע raga HNcmsa suddenly a brief pause in a moment
H7281-06 Psalms 30:6 רֶ֨גַע rega HNcmsa a moment a brief pause a moment
H7281-03 Psalms 73:19 כְ/רָ֑גַע kheraga HR/Ncmsa in a moment like a brief pause like a brief moment
H7281-04 Job 7:18 לִ֝/רְגָעִ֗ים liregaim HR/Ncmpa to-moments for brief moments for brief moments
H7281-05 Job 20:5 רָֽגַע raga HNcmsa a moment a brief pause a moment
H7281-07 Job 21:13 וּ֝/בְ/רֶ֗גַע uverega HC/R/Ncmsa and in a moment and in a pause-moment and in a moment
H7281-06 Job 34:20 רֶ֤גַע rega HNcmsa in a moment a brief pause in a moment
H7281-05 Lamentations 4:6 רָ֔גַע raga HNcmsa moment a brief pause a brief pause
H7281-06 Ezra 9:8 רֶגַע֩ rega HNcmsa moment a brief pause a brief pause
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