Lexical Summary
rega: Moment, instant, short time
Original Word:רֶגַע
Part of Speech:noun masculine
Transliteration:rega`
Pronunciation:reh'-gah
Phonetic Spelling:(reh'-gah)
NASB:moment, suddenly, instantly, instant, while
Word Origin:[fromH7280 (רָגַע - To rest). a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time]
1. instant, moment, space, suddenly
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
instant, moment, space, suddenly
Fromraga'. A wink (of the eyes), i.e. A very short space of time -- instant, moment, space, suddenly.
see HEBREWraga'
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
ragaDefinitiona moment
NASB Translationinstant (1), instantly (2), moment (14), momentary* (1), suddenly (3), while (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Late Hebrew
id.;
Ecclesiastes 9:12: probably properly a
movement, i.e.
twinkling, of the eye; compare
momentum, i.e.
movimentum); — absolute ,
Numbers 16:21 +, plural ; —
Psalm 30:6 a moment (passes) in his anger (opposed to );Isaiah 54:7 duringa little moment
— (a) as adverb accusative, (a)Exodus 33:5for one moment, so aloneIsaiah 54:8; repeatedJeremiah 18:7,9at another moment; . . .at another moment; ()in a moment, suddenly,Psalm 6:11 ,Jeremiah 4:20;Isaiah 47:9;Job 34:20. (b)in a momentJob 21:13 (of a quick and painless death; but seeJob 34:20;Psalm 73:19: Hoffm Buhl Baer Bu Du [compare , ] take (or read ) as substantive [√ II. ] in tranquility, of a peaceful death). So (c)Numbers 16:21 =Numbers 17:10 ,Psalm 73:19. (d)Lamentations 4:6. (e) whilea moment lastsJob 20:5. (f)like the littleness ofa moment =for a littlemomentIsaiah 26:20;Ezra 9:8. (g) pluralby moments, at every moment,Isaiah 27:8;Ezekiel 26:16 (soEzekiel 32:10),Job 7:18 ("" ).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’s Hebrew רֶגַע (regaʿ) gathers the twenty-three Old-Testament occurrences that speak of a brief, decisive instant. Whether describing sudden judgment, passing wrath, or swift grace, the word highlights the Lord’s sovereign ability to act without warning and the corresponding human need for continual readiness.
Literary Distribution
• Pentateuch –Exodus 33:5;Numbers 16:21, 45
• Historical –Ezra 9:8
• Wisdom –Job 7:18; 20:5; 21:13; 34:20;Psalm 6:10; 30:5; 73:19;Proverbs 12:19
• Major Prophets –Isaiah 26:20; 27:3; 47:9; 54:7-8;Jeremiah 4:20; 18:7, 9;Lamentations 4:6
• Ezekiel – 26:16; 32:10
Moments of Divine Judgment
In the wilderness the Lord warns Israel, “If I were to go up with you for a single moment, I would destroy you” (Exodus 33:5). The Korah rebellion receives the same threat (Numbers 16:21, 45). Prophets apply the motif to nations: Babylon will suffer widowhood and childlessness “in a moment” (Isaiah 47:9); Judah’s tents are “torn down in an instant” (Jeremiah 4:20); Sodom was “overthrown in an instant” (Lamentations 4:6). The word underscores that judgment may arrive without prior notice, demanding immediate repentance.
Moments of Divine Mercy
Regaʿ also celebrates how quickly God can reverse disaster. Ezra rejoices that “for a brief moment, grace has been shown” (Ezra 9:8). Twice Isaiah pairs temporary wrath with lasting compassion: “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will bring you back… In a surge of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:7-8).Psalm 30:5 balances suffering and hope: “His anger is but for a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime.”
Human Transience
Wisdom texts deploy רֶגַע to expose the fleeting nature of earthly success. “The triumph of the wicked has been brief” (Job 20:5). A lying tongue lasts “only a moment” (Proverbs 12:19). “They die in an instant” (Job 34:20). Even the boast of enemies collapses “in sudden disgrace” (Psalm 6:10). The term thus contrasts human frailty with God’s enduring truth.
Continuous Divine Care
In a striking reversal,Isaiah 27:3 pictures the Lord watering His vineyard “continuously” (literally, “every moment”), revealing that the same God who judges in an instant also guards His people without pause.
Theological Synthesis
1. Suddenness of Judgment – No one can presume upon tomorrow (Numbers 16:21;Isaiah 47:9).
2. Brevity of Wrath – God’s displeasure is real yet measured, while His mercy is abiding (Psalm 30:5;Isaiah 54:7-8).
3. Urgency of Response – Because life and opportunity are momentary, repentance and faith must be immediate (Jeremiah 18:7-9).
4. Continuity of Care – Even between crises, the Lord keeps and nurtures His people every moment (Isaiah 27:3).
Pastoral and Ministry Applications
• Preach urgency: salvation can be embraced “in a moment” (cf.Romans 10:9–10).
• Offer comfort: trials, though painful, are brief compared to eternal glory (Psalm 30:5;2 Corinthians 4:17).
• Model vigilance: shepherds imitate God’s “every-moment” care of the flock (Isaiah 27:3).
• Warn complacency: prosperity can vanish instantly (Job 34:20;Proverbs 12:19).
Eschatological and Christological Insight
The Old-Testament regaʿ anticipates the New-Testament promise that resurrection and final transformation will occur “in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). The swift but measured wrath borne by the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 54:7-8) finds its fulfillment at the cross, where judgment fell in hours yet secured everlasting compassion. Thus רֶגַע becomes a lens through which the suddenness of both judgment and salvation is finally and fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
Forms and Transliterations
אַ֝רְגִּ֗יעָה ארגיעה בְּרֶ֥גַע ברגע וְרֶ֣גַע וּ֝בְרֶ֗גַע וברגע ורגע כְּרָ֑גַע כְּרָֽגַע׃ כְרָ֑גַע כרגע כרגע׃ לִ֝רְגָעִ֗ים לִרְגָעִ֔ים לִרְגָעִ֖ים לִרְגָעִים֙ לרגעים רֶ֖גַע רֶ֙גַע֙ רֶ֛גַע רֶ֣גַע רֶ֤גַע ׀ רֶ֧גַע רֶ֨גַע ׀ רֶגַע֩ רָ֔גַע רָֽגַע׃ רגע רגע׃ ’ar·gî·‘āh ’argî‘āh arGiah bə·re·ḡa‘ beRega bəreḡa‘ cheRaga kə·rā·ḡa‘ ḵə·rā·ḡa‘ keRaga kərāḡa‘ ḵərāḡa‘ lir·ḡā·‘îm lirḡā‘îm lirgaIm rā·ḡa‘ Raga rāḡa‘ re·ḡa‘ Rega reḡa‘ ū·ḇə·re·ḡa‘ ūḇəreḡa‘ uveRega veRega wə·re·ḡa‘ wəreḡa‘
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