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רָקַם

𐤓𐤒𐤌

râqam

H7551 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ר־ק־ם to embroider, to ornament, to variegate with color

Definition

To embroider, to ornament with colored thread or needlework in variegated patterns; more broadly, to decorate textile materials with intricate designs produced by skilled handwork. While its primary use pertains to actual embroidery, it may by extension refer to the process of making intricately patterned fabric or garments.

Semantic Range

to embroider, to decorate with needlework, to fabricate intricate textiles, to ornament with patterned designs

Root / Etymology

Root ר־ק־ם (רָקַם), meaning 'to embroider' or 'to variegate with color.' The verb form denotes the act of embellishing fabric with needle and thread, while the derived nouns (e.g., רֶקֶם 'embroidery') refer to the product of this craft. The root itself is attested in other Semitic languages with meanings related to weaving or patterned decoration.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, רָקַם and its cognates frequently appear in descriptions of the skilled work required for constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and its furnishings (e.g., Exodus 26:36; 28:39). The verb specifically refers to the technical act of embroidery—creating designs in textile by adding colored threads—rather than plain weaving. In later periods, the related participle or noun רֹקֵם is used for 'embroiderer.' English translations often render the term as 'embroider' or 'curious work,' but the latter (KJV) is archaic and fails to convey the specific technical aspect of multicolored and patterned handwork. Embroidery in ancient Israelite context was an esteemed craft, highly valued for its association with sacred and royal objects. While references in the biblical text are predominantly cultic or royal, the craft may have had wider domestic and societal application. The word is distinct from terms referring solely to weaving (e.g., אראג, טווה), highlighting embroidery as a specialized and artistic skill.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to variegate color, i.e. embroider; by implication, to fabricate; embroiderer, needlework, curiously work.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רקם (r-q-m) — to embroider, to ornament, to variegate with color

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7552 רֶקֶם Reqem
H7553 רִקְמָה with embroidered cloth

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7551-01 רֹקֵֽם roqem HVqrmsa an embroiderer embroidering-one 6
H7551-03 וְ/רֹקֵ֞ם veroqem HC/Vqrmsa and embroiderer and embroidering one 2
H7551-02 רֻ֝קַּ֗מְתִּי ruqameti HVPp1cs I was woven I was intricately embroidered 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7551-01 Exodus 26:36 רֹקֵֽם roqem HVqrmsa of an embroiderer embroidering-one
H7551-01 Exodus 27:16 רֹקֵ֑ם roqem HVqrmsa a-weaver embroidering-one
H7551-01 Exodus 28:39 רֹקֵֽם roqem HVqrmsa an embroiderer embroidering-one
H7551-03 Exodus 35:35 וְ/רֹקֵ֞ם veroqem HC/Vqrmsa and of the embroiderer and embroidering one
H7551-01 Exodus 36:37 רֹקֵֽם roqem HVqrmsa an embroiderer embroidering-one
H7551-01 Exodus 38:18 רֹקֵ֔ם roqem HVqrmsa embroidery embroidering-one
H7551-03 Exodus 38:23 וְ/רֹקֵ֗ם veroqem HC/Vqrmsa and embroiderer and embroidering one
H7551-01 Exodus 39:29 רֹקֵ֑ם roqem HVqrmsa of embroidery embroidering-one
H7551-02 Psalms 139:15 רֻ֝קַּ֗מְתִּי ruqameti HVPp1cs I was woven I was intricately embroidered
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