רְכוּב (re.khuv)
re.khuv
chariot
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rekuv refers specifically to a chariot, an advanced military vehicle in the ancient Near East. It appears only once in the Bible, in Psalm 104:3, where it describes God’s mode of transport across the heavens.
This single usage carries significant theological weight by portraying the Creator as riding upon the clouds or winds. Rather than depicting a static deity, the text presents Yahweh as dynamic and sovereign over creation, using the chariot imagery to emphasize His majesty and power in governing the natural world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rekuv, meaning chariot, appears just once in Scripture, yet it paints a striking picture of God’s majesty. In Psalm 104:3, we read that He makes the clouds His chariot and walks on the wings of the wind. This imagery moves beyond static descriptions of divinity to show a Creator who is active, sovereign, and intimately involved with the natural world.
For your faith, this offers profound comfort. The same God who commands the heavens and rides upon the winds is also the one who lays beams in the waters and sustains all life. You do not serve a distant or passive deity, but a Lord whose power is both overwhelming and carefully ordered. When you feel small against the vastness of creation or the chaos of life, remember that He holds it all in His hands.
This single verse invites us to trust in His governance. The forces of nature are not wild and untamed; they are subject to His will. Whether you face storms of doubt or trials of circumstance, you can rest in the knowledge that your God is sovereign over every element. He guides history and cares for His people with the same power that moves the clouds.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- chariot/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רְכוּב֑/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 104:3
He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind.
This verse uniquely applies the term to describe God's dynamic sovereignty over creation, portraying Him as actively riding the winds rather than remaining static.