רָכַס (ra.khas)
ra.khas
to bind
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rakhats is a simple action word meaning "to bind" or "to tie up." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Exodus. In these rare occurrences, it describes the physical act of securing something, such as tying down bundles or fastening items for transport.
This concise usage highlights the word's practical nature in biblical Hebrew. Unlike more abstract terms for binding that might carry metaphorical weight regarding relationships or spiritual states, rakhats remains grounded in tangible, everyday activity. Its limited presence suggests it was a common enough concept to not require frequent repetition in the narrative flow.
The scarcity of this word in Scripture makes its specific context all the more notable. When it does appear, it serves as a precise descriptor for physical restraint or organization, reminding readers that the biblical text often attends to the small, concrete details of daily life alongside its grand theological themes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The verb rakhats describes a simple, physical act: binding or tying something securely. In Exodus, it appears when the artisans fasten the priestly breastplate to the ephod using blue cords. This was not merely decorative; it ensured the sacred garment stayed in place during service, preventing it from swinging loose or becoming detached.
While this word rarely appears in Scripture, its context reminds us that God cares about order and security. Just as the high priest’s garments were carefully secured so they would not fall away, we can trust that our spiritual standing is held fast by divine command. The details of faithful obedience matter, even when they seem small or practical.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- so/ they may bind1×
- and/ they bound1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יִּרְכְּס֣וּ1×
- וְ/יִרְכְּס֣וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 28:28
They shall bind the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate may not swing out from the ephod.
This verse shows the word used to describe securing the breastplate with a blue cord so it would not swing out from the ephod during service.
-
Exodus 39:21
They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Yahweh commanded Moses.
Here the same action is repeated, emphasizing that the binding was done exactly as Yahweh commanded Moses to ensure the breastplate remained attached.