רֵיק (req)
req
worthless
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word req describes something that is fundamentally empty or devoid of value. In its most literal sense, it refers to a vessel that holds nothing, but the term extends far beyond physical containers. It characterizes actions, words, or pursuits that lack substance, purpose, or ethical weight.
This word appears thirteen times in the Hebrew Bible, with notable usage in Proverbs and Judges. In Proverbs 25:14, it describes clouds that bring no rain, illustrating a promise that fails to deliver results. Similarly, in Genesis 31:15, Rachel speaks of being treated as if she were nothing, highlighting how req can denote social or relational worthlessness.
Its root conveys the idea of vanity or futility. Unlike words that simply mean "false," req emphasizes the absence of content or effect. It is often used to critique empty rituals or futile efforts that produce no tangible outcome, serving as a stark reminder that true value lies in substance rather than appearance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word req describes a profound emptiness, often visualized as a vessel that holds nothing at all. In Judges 7:16, Gideon’s soldiers carried empty pitchers to hide their torches, using the lack of content as a strategic advantage. This imagery reminds us that our own lives can feel hollow when we chase after things that do not truly satisfy. It is a sobering thought that without substance, even our best efforts may result in nothing more than noise.
Yet this word also offers a gentle invitation to examine what we hold dear. Proverbs 28:19 contrasts those who work their land with those who chase fantasies, showing that req often describes the poverty of ungrounded dreams. We are not called to fill every moment with activity, but to seek the things that have lasting weight. When we find our value in God’s steadfast love rather than fleeting achievements, the emptiness fades.
May you find peace in knowing that your worth is not determined by what you produce or possess. Instead, rest in the truth that you are known and loved for who you are. This quiet assurance allows us to let go of the need to prove ourselves and simply trust in His provision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- empty3×
- unprincipled2×
- worthless things1×
- the/ worthless [men]1×
- empty [things]1×
- and/ empty1×
- and/ [is] empty1×
- [was] empty1×
- [too] empty1×
- <the>/ empty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֵקִים֙1×
- רֵקִ֖ים1×
- רֵקִ֔ים1×
- רֵיקִים֙1×
- רֵיקִ֣ים1×
- רֵיקִ֔ים1×
- רֵ֥ק1×
- רֵ֝קִ֗ים1×
- רֵ֔ק1×
- וָ/רֵ֑ק1×
- וְ/רֵיקָ֣ה1×
- הָ/רֵקִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 7:16
He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.
The pitchers are empty so they can conceal the torches, showing how emptiness can serve a specific, protective purpose.
-
Proverbs 28:19
One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
Chasing fantasies leads to poverty because such pursuits lack the substance required for true provision.
-
Genesis 37:24
and they took him, and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty. There was no water in it.
The pit is described as empty of water, emphasizing a place of danger and abandonment rather than life-giving refreshment.