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רַחוּם

𐤓𐤇𐤅𐤌

rachûwm

H7349 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root רחקם to have compassion, to show mercy, to feel tender affection

Definition

An adjective describing a person or being as characterized by deep compassion, mercy, or tenderheartedness. The term primarily denotes an emotional disposition of deep empathy and readiness to show kindness or forgiveness toward others, often in situations where strict justice could be applied. Used frequently of YHWH in descriptions of divine character, 'rachûwm' emphasizes the aspect of emotional warmth and willingness to forgive. In human contexts, it denotes a person who acts with practical compassion toward those in need, suffering, or distress.

Semantic Range

compassionate, merciful, full of compassion, tenderhearted, showing empathy and willingness to forgive, emotionally nurturing

Root / Etymology

From the root ר-ח-ם (רחם), meaning 'to have compassion, to show mercy.' The root is associated with feelings of deep emotional attachment and care; it is also the root of the feminine noun רֶחֶם (rechem, 'womb'), reflecting a metaphorical connection to maternal care and nurturing. The adjective רַחוּם (rachûwm) thus conveys a nurturing, deeply empathetic disposition derived from this root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term רַחוּם appears most frequently in descriptions of YHWH, especially in formulaic proclamations of His character (e.g., Exodus 34:6; Joel 2:13; Psalms 86:15), where 'rachûwm' stands alongside other terms like חַנּוּן (gracious) and אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם (slow to anger) to articulate divine compassion and patience. In these contexts, 'rachûwm' draws on the deep emotional connotations of the root—akin to a parent’s tender care—rather than a merely judicial or formal sense of mercy. Occurrences with human subjects (e.g., Proverbs 12:10) are less common but retain the sense of tenderheartedness and emotional warmth. English translations as 'merciful' or 'compassionate' generally capture the term’s sense but can understate the imagery of deep, almost parental, caring implied by the Hebrew. The meaning and usage remained relatively stable across the First and Second Temple periods, though post-biblical Hebrew develops related terms for theological discourse.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָחַם; compassionate; full of compassion, merciful.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רחם (r-ḥ-m) — to have compassion, to show mercy, to feel tender affection

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3395 יְרֹחָם He-will-be-shown-compassion
H3396 יְרַחְמְאֵל to El-will-show-compassion
H3819 לֹא רֻחָמָה Not-shown-compassion
H7348 רְחוּם Rechum
H7355 רָחַם I will show him deep compassion

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7349-02 וְ/רַחוּם֙ verachum HC/Aamsa and compassionate and compassionate 8
H7349-01 רַח֖וּם rachum HAamsa merciful compassionate 5

Occurrences in Scripture

13 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7349-01 Exodus 34:6 רַח֖וּם rachum HAamsa merciful compassionate
H7349-01 Deuteronomy 4:31 רַחוּם֙ rachum HAamsa merciful compassionate
H7349-02 Joel 2:13 וְ/רַחוּם֙ verachum HC/Aamsa and-merciful and compassionate
H7349-02 Jonah 4:2 וְ/רַח֔וּם verachum HC/Aamsa and compassionate and compassionate
H7349-01 Psalms 78:38 רַח֨וּם rachum HAamsa being compassionate compassionate
H7349-01 Psalms 86:15 רַח֣וּם rachum HAamsa merciful compassionate
H7349-01 Psalms 103:8 רַח֣וּם rachum HAamsa compassionate compassionate
H7349-02 Psalms 111:4 וְ/רַח֣וּם verachum HC/Aamsa and compassionate and compassionate
H7349-02 Psalms 112:4 וְ/רַח֣וּם verachum HC/Aamsa and compassionate and compassionate
H7349-02 Psalms 145:8 וְ/רַח֣וּם verachum HC/Aamsa and merciful and compassionate
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