רָצָה (ra.tsah)
ra.tsah
to accept
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 43 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ratsah conveys a sense of being pleased with or accepting something favorably. In the Old Testament, it frequently describes God’s acceptance of sacrifices and prayers, as seen in Psalm 51:18 where a broken spirit is offered to Him. It also appears in personal relationships, such as when Esau notes that Jacob has shown him affection in Genesis 33:10.
A distinctive feature of this word is its use in legal and financial contexts to mean satisfying a debt or making restitution. For instance, Leviticus 6:5 commands that if someone wrongs their neighbor, they must pay back the principal plus twenty percent to be considered acceptable. This usage highlights a transactional aspect where acceptance is linked to proper compensation.
The word appears in various forms across different verb stems, allowing for nuanced expressions of seeking favor or making oneself pleasing. Its range extends from divine approval of worship to human obligations of restitution, reflecting a broad concept of being found satisfactory or agreeable in both spiritual and social spheres.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ratsah describes a deep sense of acceptance or being pleased with something. In the Old Testament, it often appears in the context of worship, where God accepts sacrifices offered with a sincere heart. This shows that our relationship with Him is not based on perfect rituals alone, but on the posture of our hearts and our willingness to honor Him.
It also carries a practical meaning in daily life, such as when Jacob offers a gift to Esau and finds favor in his brother’s eyes. Even in legal matters, it involves making things right by paying back what is owed. This reminds us that true acceptance often requires action, humility, and a desire to restore broken relationships.
When we seek God’s acceptance, we learn that He values honesty and repentance over empty gestures. Whether through prayer or acts of restitution, this word invites us to approach life with integrity, trusting that God sees our efforts and receives them with grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 43 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- it will be accepted3×
- they will accept2×
- ¿/ will he take pleasure1×
- ¿/ will he be pleased with/ you1×
- ¿/ will I accept1×
- you will be pleased with1×
- you are pleased with1×
- will he make himself acceptable1×
- when/ is pleased/ he1×
- when/ is pleased with1×
- they will seek [the] favor of1×
- they will be accepted1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּרְצֶ֑ה2×
- רוֹצֶ֣ה2×
- יֵרָצֶֽה\׃2×
- יִרְצֶֽה\׃2×
- תִּרְצֶ֨ה1×
- רֹצָ֑/ם1×
- רָצָ֥ה1×
- רָצָ֔ה1×
- רָצָ֔/ם1×
- רָצָ֑/ם1×
- רָצְתָ֥ה1×
- רָצְתָ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 1:4
He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
This verse establishes the foundational principle that laying hands on a sacrifice signifies personal identification, allowing the offering to be accepted as a means of atonement for the individual.
-
Genesis 33:10
Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have seen your face, as one sees the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
Jacob uses this term to describe Esau’s favorable response to his gift, illustrating how acceptance can heal familial rifts and restore peace between estranged parties.
-
Leviticus 26:43
The land also will be left by them, and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them; and they will accept the punishment of their iniquity because they rejected my ordinances, and their soul abhorred my statutes.
Here the word describes the exiled Israelites accepting the punishment for their sins, showing that true repentance involves acknowledging God’s justice and humbling oneself before Him.