רָכַשׁ (ra.khash)
ra.khash
to gather
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rakhash means to acquire or gather property. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, primarily within the narrative of Genesis. The word focuses on the accumulation of tangible assets rather than abstract wealth.
In these passages, the term describes the process of building up material possessions. For instance, it is used when describing how individuals gathered livestock and silver during their time in foreign lands. This usage highlights a practical, economic action rooted in survival and stability.
Translators typically render rakhash as "get," "gain," or "acquire." The term carries no inherent moral judgment; it simply records the act of collecting goods. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was a specific legal or commercial term for securing property rights in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rakhash describes the practical act of gathering possessions. In Genesis, it tracks how families built stability in new lands. Abram, Esau, and Jacob used this term for their livestock and goods. It shows that securing resources was part of their journey.
This focus on tangible assets reminds us that faith includes daily responsibilities. Gathering what is needed for survival is not wrong. It reflects stewardship of the gifts God provides along the way.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he had accumulated3×
- they had accumulated2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָכַ֖שׁ2×
- רָכָ֔שׁוּ1×
- רָכָ֔שׁ1×
- רָֽכְשׁוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 12:5
Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan.
This verse marks Abram's first recorded gathering, showing how faith and practical preparation begin together in a new land.
-
Genesis 31:18
and he took away all his livestock, and all his possessions which he had gathered, including the livestock which he had gained in Paddan Aram, to go to Isaac his father, to the land of Canaan.
Jacob uses this term to describe his departure from Laban, highlighting the careful accumulation of wealth earned through hard work.
-
Genesis 36:6
Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.
Esau's gathering leads him away from Jacob, illustrating how material security can sometimes drive physical separation from family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does rakhash mean in the Bible?
Is gathering possessions sinful in Scripture?
Why is this word rare in the Old Testament?
Every Occurrence (4 verses across 1 books)
Genesis 4 verses
Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom…
Genesis 31:18and he took away all his livestock, and all his possessions which he had gathered, including the livestock which he had…
Genesis 36:6Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his…
Genesis 46:6They took their livestock, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt—Jacob, and…