Lexical Summary
rakak: To be tender, soft, or weak
Original Word:רָכַךְ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:rakak
Pronunciation:rah-KAHK
Phonetic Spelling:(raw-kak')
KJV: (be) faint((-hearted)), mollify, (be, make) soft(-er), be tender
NASB:tender, faint, grow faint, softened, softer
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be fainthearted, mollify, be, make softer, be tender
A primitive root; to soften (intransitively or transitively), used figuratively -- (be) faint((-hearted)), mollify, (be, make) soft(-er), be tender.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto be tender, weak or soft
NASB Translationfaint (1), fainthearted* (3), grow faint (1), softened (1), softer (1), tender (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] (Arabic
Aramaic (in derived species and derivatives),
,
id.); —
Perfect3masculine singular2 Kings 22:19; 2Chronicles 34:27; 3 pluralPsalm 55:22;Imperfect (Ges§ 67p)Isaiah 7:4 +; —
be tender, weak, of heart :
be timid, fearful, "" ,Isaiah 7:4;Jeremiah 51:46;Deuteronomy 20:3.
besoftened, penitent, "" Niph`al,2 Kings 22:19 2Chronicles 34:27.
Psalm 55:22 (with compare; "" II. ).
Perfect3feminine singularIsaiah 1:6it has notbeen softened, mollified, with oil (of wound, ).
Perfect3masculine singularJob 23:16 (Ges§ 67v), causative of .
Topical Lexicon
Root Meaning and Nuancesרָכַךְ depicts a movement from firmness to softness, whether in physical texture, emotional state, or moral disposition. The Old Testament employs the verb for (1) a yielding, compassionate heart, (2) a faint or fearful spirit, and (3) the gentling or soothing of wounds. Context decides whether the softening is commendable (humility) or culpable (cowardice or duplicity).
Occurrences and Theological Themes
1.Deuteronomy 20:3 – a call to courage in battle.
2.2 Kings 22:19 – Josiah’s tender response to the word of judgment.
3.2 Chronicles 34:27 – parallel account of Josiah.
4.Job 23:16 – Job’s heart softened to faintness by awe of God.
5.Psalm 55:21 – disarming pretence that conceals hostility.
6.Isaiah 1:6 – wounds not “soothed with oil.”
7.Isaiah 7:4 – admonition to stand firm in political crisis.
8.Jeremiah 51:46 – warning not to lose heart amid rumors of war.
Hearts Made Tender Before God
The twin narratives in2 Kings 22:19 and2 Chronicles 34:27 present רָכַךְ as spiritual pliability. Josiah’s “tender heart” receives prophetic rebuke, tears over sin, and gains divine reprieve. True repentance requires the hard heart to be softened; hence the prophets repeatedly urge, “Break up your fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12). רָכַךְ here honors the Lord, revealing that spiritual sensitivity invites mercy.
Faintheartedness in Warfare and Crisis
Deuteronomy 20:3 instructs Israel’s soldiers, “Do not be fainthearted…; do not fear, panic, or tremble.” The same exhortation appears inIsaiah 7:4 andJeremiah 51:46 as Assyrian and Babylonian threats loom. In each case רָכַךְ marks an inner collapse that precedes defeat. Scripture consistently insists that confidence rests not in numerical strength but in covenant faithfulness; fearfulness signals a functional unbelief.
Soothed and Softened: Imagery of Oil
Isaiah 1:6 laments a national body covered with wounds “not…soothed with oil.” Here רָכַךְ conveys therapeutic relief withheld because of unrepentant sin. The verse underscores the healing God stands ready to give when His people turn back to Him (Isaiah 30:26). Oil, a traditional Near-Eastern remedy, foreshadows the Spirit’s renewing ministry.
Warning Against Deceptive Soft Speech
Psalm 55:21 exposes treachery: “His words are softer than oil, yet they are unsheathed swords.” רָכַךְ thus warns that gentleness of tone can mask violence of intent. The righteous must discern substance over style, recalling that wisdom from above is “without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Prophetic Assurance Amid National Upheaval
InJeremiah 51:46, rumors of revolt in Babylon tempt Judah’s exiles to despair, yet the hearers are told, “Do not let your heart grow faint.” Faith braces the heart even when geopolitical events appear chaotic, reaffirming divine sovereignty over history (Daniel 4:17).
Practical Ministry Implications
• Pastoral care seeks a רָכַךְ heart toward Scripture—pliable to conviction, quick to mourn sin, eager for renewal.
• Leadership must confront רָכַךְ as faintheartedness in the congregation, calling believers to courage grounded in God’s promises (Hebrews 10:39).
• Evangelism benefits from speech that is gentle without compromise, avoiding the duplicity condemned inPsalm 55:21.
• Counseling broken lives mirrorsIsaiah 1:6: the gospel applies the oil of grace to untreated wounds.
Christological and New Covenant Reflections
Jesus embodies holy tenderness: “A bruised reed He will not break” (Matthew 12:20). Yet He also resists faintheartedness, setting His face toward Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). At Pentecost, hearts were “cut” (Acts 2:37) and, by implication, softened for repentance. The Spirit sustains courage under persecution (2 Timothy 1:7) and heals wounded sinners, fulfilling the fullest sense of רָכַךְ for the redeemed community.
Forms and Transliterations
הֵרַ֣ךְ הרך יֵרַ֔ךְ יֵרַ֣ךְ יֵרַ֤ךְ ירך רַךְ־ רַכּ֖וּ רֻכְּכָ֖ה רך־ רכו רככה hê·raḵ heRach hêraḵ rach raḵ- rak·kū rakKu rakkū ruk·kə·ḵāh rukkeChah rukkəḵāh yê·raḵ yeRach yêraḵ
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