רֶכֶשׁ
𐤓𐤊𐤔
rekesh
H7409 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A type of fast-moving riding animal, particularly one used for mounted travel or courier purposes; in biblical texts, often a swift horse or other speedy beast of burden for military or official communication, as distinguished from standard work animals. The specific kind of animal intended (horse, mule, dromedary) varies, but the emphasis is on speed and suitability for relay or courier service.
Semantic Range
relay animal, fast riding animal, courier mount, swift beast, (possibly) horse, mule, dromedary, animal prepared, collected, or held for official or rapid travel
Root / Etymology
From the root רָכַשׁ (r-q-sh), which has the core meaning 'to collect, acquire, gather.' The noun רֶכֶשׁ is derived from this root but refers specifically to a collection of swift animals or mounts prepared or held in readiness, especially in a context where speed is required for official or military needs.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רֶכֶשׁ appears primarily in post-monarchic and exilic texts (e.g., Esther 8:10, 14; 1 Kings 4:28; Micah 1:13), often within the context of Persian administrative or military systems. The term's meaning reflects the adoption of Near Eastern courier systems, where swift mounts (horses, mules, even dromedaries) were stationed at intervals along royal roads for rapid communication. In this context, 'rekesh' refers less to a particular animal species and more to an administrative category of fast transport animal, contrasted with general-purpose horses (סוּס) or pack animals. The later tradition, and particularly some translations, interpreted it as 'dromedary' or 'mule,' but in context, the focus is not species-specific but functional: an animal for speed and relays. English translations sometimes render the term as 'swift steeds,' 'mules,' or 'dromedaries,' but this may miss its administrative nuance in ancient Near Eastern courier systems. The term does not have the broad ethnolinguistic connotations that 'horse' or 'mule' carry today, but is bounded by its function in communication and transport.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָכַשׁ; a relay of animals on a post-route (as stored up for that purpose); by implication, a courser; dromedary, mule, swift beast.
Bantu Hebrew
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רכש (r-q-sh) — collect, acquire, gather
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7409-01 |
הָ/רֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ | harekhesh | HTd/Ncmsa |
the royal horses | the swift relay-mount | 2 |
H7409-03 |
וְ/לָ/רָ֑כֶשׁ | velarakhesh | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
and for the swift steeds | swift relay mount | 1 |
H7409-02 |
לָ/רֶ֖כֶשׁ | larekhesh | HRd/Ncmsa |
to the steed | to a relay-mount | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7409-03 |
1 Kings 5:8 | וְ/לָ/רָ֑כֶשׁ | velarakhesh | HC/Rd/Ncmsa |
and for the swift steeds | swift relay mount |
H7409-02 |
Micah 1:13 | לָ/רֶ֖כֶשׁ | larekhesh | HRd/Ncmsa |
to the steed | to a relay-mount |
H7409-01 |
Esther 8:10 | הָ/רֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ | harekhesh | HTd/Ncmsa |
the steeds | the swift relay-mount |
H7409-01 |
Esther 8:14 | הָ/רֶ֨כֶשׁ֙ | harekhesh | HTd/Ncmsa |
the royal horses | the swift relay-mount |