Lexical Summary
rakab: To ride, to mount, to be carried
Original Word:רָכַב
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:rakab
Pronunciation:rah-KAHV
Phonetic Spelling:(raw-kab')
KJV: bring (on (horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set
NASB:ride, riding, rode, rider, riders, rides, mounted
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle)
2. (causatively) to place upon (for riding)
3. (generally) to despatch
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bring on horseback, carry, get oneself up, on horseback
A primitive root; to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch -- bring (on (horse-)back), carry, get (oneself) up, on (horse-)back, put, (cause to, make to) ride (in a chariot, on, -r), set.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto mount and ride, ride
NASB Translationcarried (2), carried him in a chariot (1), chariot (1), drove (1), harness (1), horseman* (2), lead (1), led (1), mounted (4), pace (1), placed (1), put (2), ridden (2), ride (17), rider (7), riders (5), rides (5), riding (15), rode (9), rode in a chariot (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Assyrian
rakâbu, Arabic
Aramaic
, all
id.; compare Zinjirli
war-chariot, proper name, of divinity (Cook
108); Sabean =
his rider Mordtm
Him. Inschr.25 (of horse; but
his trappings CIS
iv, no. 306, 5); Ethiopic
is
attain, acquire); —
Perfect3masculine singularEsther 6:8; 2masculine singularNumbers 22:30; 3plural1 Samuel 30:17;Imperfect3masculine singularLeviticus 15:9, etc.;Imperative masculine singularPsalm 45:5;Infinitive construct2 Samuel 16:2;2 Kings 4:24;Participle active absoluteNumbers 22:22 +, constructAmos 2:15; suffixGenesis 49:17 +; feminine singular absolute1 Samuel 25:30; masculine pluralJudges 10:4 +, etc.; —
mount, mount and sit, orride, with of camelGenesis 24:61 (J),1 Samuel 30:17, of ass ()1 Samuel 25:42,20;2 Samuel 16:2 ( object omitted),2 Samuel 19:27;1 Kings 13:13, of mule ()2 Samuel 13:29; absolute of mounting (and riding in) chariot1 Kings 18:45;2 Kings 9:16.
ride, be riding
of mule ()2 Samuel 18:9, of ass,Numbers 22:22 (J), so ( object omitted)2 Kings 4:24, ofZechariah 9:9, of hoseZechariah 1:8; with (see )Leviticus 15:9; with of animal ()Nehemiah 2:12; of chariotry and horsesJeremiah 17:25 =Jeremiah 22:4; absolute (perhaps In chariot)Psalm 45:5ride on ! ride (habitually) with of Numbers 22:30 (J), ofJudges 10:4;Judges 12:14, ofHosea 14:4 (figurative of alliance with Egypt),Jeremiah 6:23;Jeremiah 50:42;Esther 6:8;Habakkuk 3:8 (figurative of ; possibly Add suffix reference to , compareDeuteronomy 33:26), ("" )Isaiah 30:16; of ,2 Samuel 22:11 =Psalm 18:11,Isaiah 19:1, with accusativeride throughDeuteronomy 33:26, but also with locationin, through,Psalm 68:5;Psalm 68:34.
participle etc., as substantive,rider:Judges 5:10;Amos 2:15;2 Kings 9:18,19;Ezekiel 23:23;Ezekiel 38:15;Zechariah 10:5, so (appositive )Ezekiel 23:6,12; suffix ofGenesis 49:17;Exodus 15:1,21;Jeremiah 51:21aZechariah 12:4;Job 39:18;Haggai 2:22b; of2 Kings 18:23 =Isaiah 36:8;Esther 8:10,14; suffix of chariotJeremiah 51:21bHaggai 2:22.
Perfect2masculine singularPsalm 66:12, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularGenesis 41:43;2 Kings 13:16, suffixDeuteronomy 32:13, etc.;imperative masculine singular2 Kings 13:16; —
cause to (mount and) ride: with accusative of person + ofExodus 4:20 (J), of1 Kings 1:33,38,44, ofEsther 6:9, cf. ( omitted)Esther 6:11; with accusative of person + of chariotGenesis 41:43 (E),2 Kings 10:16; of chariot omitted2 Kings 9:28;2 Kings 23:30 = (with ) 2 Chronicles 35:24; figurativeJob 30:22 (that is, on the wind); with accusative of thing +2 Samuel 6:3 =1 Chronicles 13:7; figurative, with accusative of person + location ()Deuteronomy 32:13 soIsaiah 58:14, +Psalm 66:12over our heads.
cause to draw (plough, etc.)Hosea 10:11, object Ephraim Under figure of heifer.
figurative ()2 Kings 13:16 (twice in verse);cause hand to ride upon (grasp)bow.
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scopeרָכַב (Strong’s 7392) centers on the act of mounting or riding—whether on an animal, a chariot, or metaphorically on clouds, cherubim, or heavenly heights. The term spans ordinary travel, royal processions, military operations, poetic imagery, and prophetic revelation.
Occurrences and Distribution
Approximately seventy-eight instances appear across the Old Testament:
• Pentateuch – Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy
• Historical Books – Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles
• Wisdom/Poetic Books – Job, Psalms, Song of Solomon
• Prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Zechariah
Literal Usage: Mounted Travel and Daily Life
1. Pastoral and family scenes: “Then Rebekah and her maids mounted their camels and followed the man” (Genesis 24:61).
2. Commerce and diplomacy: Abigail “rode on a donkey” to David (1 Samuel 25:42), and merchants traverse on beasts of burden (Isaiah 30:6).
3. Personal mobility for judges and leaders: Jair’s thirty sons “rode on thirty donkeys” (Judges 10:4). Riding signified both status and mobility in a landscape lacking modern roads.
Chariotry and Warfare
The verb frequently links to horses and chariots, the cutting-edge military technology of the Late Bronze and Iron Ages.
• Egypt’s might: “Horse and rider He has thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:1, 21).
• Canaanite oppression: “Curse Meroz… because they came not to the aid of the LORD… against the mighty” (Judges 5:23) is framed by Sisera’s nine hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:3).
• Israelite monarchy: Solomon’s administration included “forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots” (1 Kings 4:26). The verb depicts both the king’s glory and Israel’s temptation to trust armaments rather than the LORD (Deuteronomy 17:16;Psalm 20:7).
Royal Procession and Coronation
To “ride” can announce legitimate authority. David commanded, “Have Solomon my son ride on my own mule” (1 Kings 1:33). The public act declared succession and secured loyalty, prefiguring messianic fulfillment.
Divine Rider: Sovereignty on High
Scripture portrays the LORD Himself as the supreme Rider:
• Cosmic dominion: “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid” (Deuteronomy 33:26).
• Theophany: “He mounted a cherub and flew; He soared on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 18:10).
• Worship summons: “Sing to God… extol Him who rides on the clouds” (Psalm 68:4).
• Prophetic judgment: “Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt” (Isaiah 19:1).
• Eschatological victory: “You rode on Your horses, Your chariots of salvation” (Habakkuk 3:8).
These passages underscore divine transcendence and imminent intervention. The Rider motif assures believers that all earthly powers remain subordinate to the King of glory.
Messianic Fulfillment
Zechariah’s royal oracle connects רָכַב to the humility and triumph of the Messiah:
“See, your King comes to you… humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).
The Gospels explicitly cite this verse when Jesus enters Jerusalem (Matthew 21:5;John 12:14-15), identifying Him as the gentle yet victorious Son of David. The stark contrast—donkey rather than war horse—highlights peace secured through sacrificial love.
Poetic and Symbolic Nuances
• Martial romance: “In Your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility, and righteousness” (Psalm 45:4), celebrating the Davidic king while hinting at the ultimate Christ.
• Covenant blessing: “Blessed be the LORD… who daily bears our burdens” (Psalm 68:19). The same root pictures God “bearing” His people, demonstrating pastoral care in tandem with royal power.
• Love poetry: “Come with me from Lebanon, my bride… with the lions’ dens” (Song of Solomon 4:8) evokes adventurous riding imagery within marital devotion.
Historical Background
Horse domestication reached the Levant c. second millennium B.C. Chariots dominated battlefields until cavalry superseded them in the first millennium. Israel, initially agrarian, faced neighbors advantaged with horse-power. The verb רָכַב documents Israel’s military learning curve, from dependence on God when outgunned (Judges 4–5) to later overreliance on imported horses (Isaiah 31:1). Archaeology at Megiddo and Hazor confirms extensive stables during the monarchy, corroborating biblical accounts.
Warnings and Exhortations
The prophets exploit רָכַב to expose misplaced trust:
“Their chariots are many and their horsemen are strong, but the LORD will stretch out His hand” (Isaiah 31:1-3, summary). Jeremiah repeats that national stability hinges on covenant fidelity, not mounted forces (Jeremiah 17:25; 22:4-5).
Ministry Applications
1. Dependence: Victory arises from the LORD who “rides across the heavens,” not from human horsepower.
2. Humility: Christ’s donkey exemplifies servant leadership. Spiritual leaders today “ride” best when clothed with meekness.
3. Worship: Praise is fueled by visions of God enthroned above the cherubim, swift to defend His people.
4. Hope: The Rider motif foreshadows the conquering Christ inRevelation 19:11, assuring believers of ultimate justice.
Key References for Study and Teaching
Genesis 24:61;Exodus 15:1, 21;Deuteronomy 33:26;Judges 5:10;2 Samuel 18:9;1 Kings 1:33;Psalm 18:10;Psalm 45:4;Psalm 68:4, 33;Isaiah 19:1;Jeremiah 17:25;Habakkuk 3:8;Zechariah 9:9.
Summary
רָכַב intertwines ordinary journeys, royal majesty, military might, and divine revelation. Whether depicting patriarchs on camels, kings in chariots, or the LORD riding the heavens, the term calls believers to perceive every rider—human or divine—within God’s unfolding redemptive plan.
Forms and Transliterations
אַרְכִּ֤יב ארכיב הִרְכַּ֥בְתָּ הַרְכֵּ֤ב הרכב הרכבת וְאֶרְכַּ֤ב וְהִרְכִּיבֻ֤הוּ וְהִרְכַּבְתִּ֖יךָ וְהִרְכַּבְתֶּם֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֵיהֶ֔ם וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ וְרֹֽכְב֑וֹ וְרֹכְב֖וֹ וְרֹכְבֽוֹ׃ וְרֹכֵ֣ב וַֽיִּרְכְּב֛וּ וַֽיַּרְכִּיבֻהוּ֮ וַיִּרְכַּ֖ב וַיִּרְכַּ֣ב וַיִּרְכַּ֤ב וַיִּרְכַּ֥ב וַיַּרְכִּ֙בוּ֙ וַיַּרְכִּ֜בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֜יבוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֣בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֥בוּ וַיַּרְכִּ֧בוּ וַיַּרְכִּבֵם֙ וַיַּרְכִּבֻ֨הוּ וַיַּרְכִּיבֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּרְכֵּ֖ב וַיַּרְכֵּ֣ב וַתִּרְכַּ֙בְנָה֙ וַתִּרְכַּב֙ וּלְרֹֽכְבֽוֹ׃ וארכב והרכבתיך והרכבתם והרכיבהו וירכב וירכבהו וירכבו וירכבם וירכיבהו וירכיבו ולרכבו׃ ורכב ורכבו ורכבו׃ ורכביה ורכביהם ותרכב ותרכבנה יִרְכַּ֥ב יִרְכָּ֑בוּ יַרְכִּבֵ֙הוּ֙ ירכב ירכבהו ירכבו לִרְכֹּ֔ב לִרְכֹּ֗ב לָ֭רֹכֵב לָרֹכֵ֣ב לרכב נִרְכָּ֔ב נרכב רְכַ֗ב רָכְב֥וּ רָכַ֣בְתָּ רָכַ֤ב רֹֽכְבִים֙ רֹכְב֖וֹ רֹכְבִ֖ים רֹכְבִ֣ים ׀ רֹכְבִ֤ים רֹכְבִ֥ים רֹכְבֵ֖י רֹכְבֵ֣י רֹכְבֵ֤י רֹכְבֵ֥י רֹכְבֵי֩ רֹכֵ֣ב רֹכֵ֤ב רֹכֵ֥ב רֹכֵ֨ב רֹכֵב֙ רֹכֶ֣בֶת רכב רכבו רכבי רכבים רכבת תִרְכַּב֙ תַּרְכִּיבֵ֑נִי תרכב תרכיבני ’ar·kîḇ ’arkîḇ arKiv har·kêḇ harkêḇ harKev hir·kaḇ·tā hirkaḇtā hirKavta lā·rō·ḵêḇ laroChev lārōḵêḇ lir·kōḇ lirKo lirkōḇ nir·kāḇ nirkāḇ nirKav rā·ḵaḇ rā·ḵaḇ·tā rā·ḵə·ḇū raChav raChavta racheVu rāḵaḇ rāḵaḇtā rāḵəḇū rə·ḵaḇ reChav rəḵaḇ rō·ḵə·ḇê rō·ḵe·ḇeṯ rō·ḵə·ḇîm rō·ḵə·ḇōw rō·ḵêḇ roChev rocheVei roChevet rocheVim rocheVo rōḵêḇ rōḵəḇê rōḵeḇeṯ rōḵəḇîm rōḵəḇōw tar·kî·ḇê·nî tarkîḇênî tarkiVeni ṯir·kaḇ ṯirkaḇ tirKav ū·lə·rō·ḵə·ḇōw uleRocheVo ūlərōḵəḇōw vaiyarKev vaiyarkiVehu vaiyarkiVem vaiyarKivu vaiyarkiVuhu vaiyirKav vaiyirkeVu vattirKav vattirKavnah veerKav vehirkavTem vehirkavTicha vehirkiVuhu veroChev veRocheVeiha veRocheveiHem verocheVo wat·tir·kaḇ wat·tir·kaḇ·nāh wattirkaḇ wattirkaḇnāh way·yar·kêḇ way·yar·kî·ḇê·hū way·yar·ki·ḇêm way·yar·ki·ḇū way·yar·kî·ḇū way·yar·ki·ḇu·hū way·yar·kî·ḇu·hū way·yir·kaḇ way·yir·kə·ḇū wayyarkêḇ wayyarkîḇêhū wayyarkiḇêm wayyarkiḇū wayyarkîḇū wayyarkiḇuhū wayyarkîḇuhū wayyirkaḇ wayyirkəḇū wə’erkaḇ wə·’er·kaḇ wə·hir·kaḇ·tem wə·hir·kaḇ·tî·ḵā wə·hir·kî·ḇu·hū wə·rō·ḵə·ḇe·hā wə·rō·ḵə·ḇê·hem wə·rō·ḵə·ḇōw wə·rō·ḵêḇ wəhirkaḇtem wəhirkaḇtîḵā wəhirkîḇuhū wərōḵêḇ wərōḵəḇehā wərōḵəḇêhem wərōḵəḇōw yar·ki·ḇê·hū yarkiḇêhū yarkiVehu yir·kā·ḇū yir·kaḇ yirkaḇ yirkāḇū yirKav yirKavu
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
