רָחַשׁ
𐤓𐤇𐤔
râchash
H7370 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To move, stir, or murmur (often with a sense of internal activity or stirring). By extension, to recite or utter (especially in poetic or meditative contexts), and in rare usage, to compose or formulate mentally. The word conveys both physical and verbal movement, especially as a metaphor for the inner motion of thought or feeling that gives rise to speech or poetic expression.
Semantic Range
to move, to stir (especially internally), to murmur softly, to be moved (emotionally), to formulate mentally, to compose (especially poetry), to utter or recite (especially in a meditative or inspired fashion), to gush (metaphorical, as of thoughts or words)
Root / Etymology
The root is רחש (r-ḥ-sh), which conveys the idea of movement (especially low, murmuring, stirring, or bustling). The verb רָחַשׁ likely evolved from this sense of physical or internal movement to metaphorical uses related to the stirring of the heart, emotion, or thoughtful composition. The connection to utterance or poetic composition probably arises from the idea of 'stirring' words within oneself.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָחַשׁ occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Psalm 45:2), where it is used in poetic speech: 'my heart is moved with a good word,' or 'my heart overflows with a pleasing theme.' Some English translations use 'indite' (an archaic term) following KJV tradition, but the primary sense is that of internal stirring or bubbling up, particularly of thoughts or poetry, rather than simply 'composing' in the modern English sense. The root also appears in related forms meaning 'to murmur' or 'to move softly.' Its nuance distinguishes it from other Hebrew verbs for speaking or declaring (like אָמַר or דִּבֵּר), as רָחַשׁ implies an inward or subdued movement leading to expression, rather than overt declaration. The term does not carry the sense of religious or legal proclamation, but rather of meditative or inspired utterance. In later periods and post-biblical Hebrew, this root becomes rare, but the poetic sense endures in liturgical and literary usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to gush; indite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רחש (r-ḥ-sh) — stirring, movement, murmuring
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4802 | מַרְחֶשֶׁת | seething pan |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7370-01 |
רָ֘חַ֤שׁ | rachash | HVqp3ms |
overflows | he stirred | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7370-01 |
Psalms 45:2 | רָ֘חַ֤שׁ | rachash | HVqp3ms |
overflows | he stirred |