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רֵיק

𐤓𐤉𐤒

rêyq

H7386 adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primarily denotes 'empty' in a literal or figurative sense—describing something or someone lacking content, substance, or worth; can refer to being physically empty (as of vessels), or metaphorically to a person considered unworthy, lacking merit, or insignificant. Used disparagingly of a person, indicating someone deemed to lack value or honor.

Semantic Range

physically empty or void, destitute, lacking content, worthless (of persons), vain, insignificant, empty-handed

Root / Etymology

From the root רוק (r-w-q), meaning 'to empty out, pour out.' While the root conveys the action of making something empty, the adjective רֵיק (rêyq) describes the resultant state—emptiness or lack, both physical and metaphorical.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, רֵיק appears both literally (e.g., vessels being empty) and as a figurative or derogatory term for people, especially in wisdom literature and poetic texts (e.g., 'empty fellow,' 'worthless person'). This usage reflects a general cultural association of emptiness with lack of worth or substance, contrasting with terms for 'rich' or 'honored.' In later tradition, the word sometimes merges with senses of 'vain, futile.' English versions often render it as 'vain,' 'worthless,' or 'empty,' but these translations may not fully capture the social nuance of contempt or disregard inherent in the term, especially in polemic or legal contexts. Over time, the term does not appear to shift drastically in meaning but becomes attached to a fixed formulaic function in rebukes or social criticism. Contrast with אָכֵר ('fool'), which indicates foolishness rather than emptiness or lack.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (shorter) רֵק; from רוּק; empty; figuratively, worthless; emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man).

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

רוק (rûwq) — to empty, pour out, drain

Root רוק to empty, pour out, evacuate
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7324 רוּק I will empty out
H7385 רִיק to emptiness
H7535 רַק only

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7386-05 רֵקִים֙ reqim HAampa empty empty ones empty ones 4
H7386-06 רֵיקִים֙ reyqim HAampa worthless empty ones empty ones 3
H7386-03 רֵ֥ק req HAamsa vain empty empty 2
H7386-01 הָ/רֵקִֽים hareqim HTd/Aampa the vain fellows the empty men of the empty men 1
H7386-02 הָ/רֵק֔וֹת hareqot HTd/Aafpa empty empty ones the empty ones 1
H7386-04 רֵקָ֑ה reqah HAafsa empty empty empty 1
H7386-07 וָ/רֵ֑ק vareq HC/Aamsa and-empty empty one and empty 1
H7386-08 וְ/רֵיקָ֣ה vereyqah HC/Aafsa and empty and empty and empty 1

Occurrences in Scripture

14 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7386-03 Genesis 37:24 רֵ֔ק req HAamsa was empty empty was empty
H7386-02 Genesis 41:27 הָ/רֵק֔וֹת hareqot HTd/Aafpa empty empty ones the empty ones
H7386-03 Deuteronomy 32:47 רֵ֥ק req HAamsa vain empty empty
H7386-05 Judges 7:16 רֵקִ֔ים reqim HAampa empty empty ones empty ones
H7386-06 Judges 9:4 רֵיקִים֙ reyqim HAampa worthless empty ones worthless
H7386-06 Judges 11:3 רֵיקִ֔ים reyqim HAampa worthless empty ones empty ones
H7386-01 2 Samuel 6:20 הָ/רֵקִֽים hareqim HTd/Aampa the vain fellows the empty men of the empty men
H7386-05 2 Kings 4:3 רֵקִ֖ים reqim HAampa empty empty ones empty ones
H7386-08 Isaiah 29:8 וְ/רֵיקָ֣ה vereyqah HC/Aafsa and empty and empty and empty
H7386-04 Ezekiel 24:11 רֵקָ֑ה reqah HAafsa empty empty empty
H7386-06 Proverbs 12:11 רֵיקִ֣ים reyqim HAampa worthless things empty ones worthless things
H7386-05 Proverbs 28:19 רֵ֝קִ֗ים reqim HAampa empty pursuits empty ones vain things
H7386-07 Nehemiah 5:13 וָ/רֵ֑ק vareq HC/Aamsa and-empty empty one and empty
H7386-05 2 Chronicles 13:7 רֵקִים֙ reqim HAampa worthless empty ones worthless ones
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