Lexical Summary
rokes: Fastener, clasp
Original Word:רֹכֶס
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:rokec
Pronunciation:roh-KES
Phonetic Spelling:(ro'-kes)
KJV: pride
NASB:conspiracies
Word Origin:[fromH7405 (רָכַס - bind)]
1. a snare (as of tied meshes)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pride
Fromrakac; a snare (as of tied meshes) -- pride.
see HEBREWrakac
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
rakasDefinitionperhaps conspiracy
NASB Translationconspiracies (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] dubious, Thes Hup-Now
snare, or
band (Dr
banding together), or (most)
league, conspiracy (RV
plottings); Ol reads derivatives of =
slander, so () Che Du; Bae despairs; — plural construct
Psalm 31:21 ("" ).
Topical Lexicon
Occurrence in ScriptureStrong’s Hebrew 7407 appears only once, inPsalm 31:20. The Berean Standard Bible renders the clause, “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men,” where “schemes” translates רֹכֶס.
Context withinPsalm 31
Psalm 31 is a Davidic prayer that moves from distress and lament to confident praise. David recounts repeated threats to his life and reputation, then celebrates God’s sure protection. By using רֹכֶס, he gathers every form of clandestine hostility—plots, intrigues, whisper campaigns—under one word. God’s answer is to “hide” and “conceal” His faithful ones, placing their safety beyond human reach.
Theological Themes
1. Human Conspiracy versus Divine Counsel
• Scripture consistently contrasts the crafty designs of sinners with the steadfast plan of the LORD (Psalm 2:1-4;Isaiah 8:10;Proverbs 19:21). רֹכֶס highlights that tension: people weave covert plans, while God both overrules and shields.
2. Hiddenness in God
• The “secret place” evokes sanctuary imagery (Psalm 27:5;Psalm 91:1). Protection is not merely circumstantial; it is relational—“Your presence.”
3. The Tongue as Weapon
• In parallel with “accusing tongues,” רֹכֶס links plotting and slander (Psalm 64:2-4;James 3:5-8). Spiritual warfare often arrives through words rather than swords.
Relation to Other Biblical Terms
Though unique, רֹכֶס stands beside synonyms:
• “Plots” (מְזִמָּה, mizimmah) as inProverbs 12:2.
• “Devices” (חִשָּׁבוֹת, chishavot) as inJeremiah 18:18.
The cluster shows that Scripture treats secret planning for harm as characteristic of the wicked.
Historical Background
David’s life featured true conspiracies—from Saul’s pursuit (1 Samuel 23:19-23) to Absalom’s coup (2 Samuel 15:12-13).Psalm 31 may arise from one such season. The rarity of רֹכֶס suggests an attempt to capture the psychological weight of being hunted by unseen strategists.
Practical Ministry Implications
1. Pastoral Care under False Accusation
• Believers facing gossip or legal maneuvering can prayPsalm 31:20 verbatim, anchoring hope in God’s custody of their reputation.
2. Ethical Leadership
• Church leaders must shun any resemblance to רֹכֶס, pursuing transparent dealings (2 Corinthians 4:2).
3. Intercessory Focus
• Prayer meetings can turn the verse into intercession for persecuted saints worldwide whose enemies operate in secrecy.
Christological and Eschatological Connections
• The chief priests and elders “plotted to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him” (Matthew 26:3-4), a New Testament echo of רֹכֶס. Yet God’s sovereign design triumphed in the resurrection (Acts 2:23-24).
• Final judgment will expose every hidden scheme (Luke 12:2-3;Revelation 20:12), vindicating those now “hidden” in Christ (Colossians 3:3-4).
Summary of Teaching
רֹכֶס embodies the covert hostility of fallen humanity.Psalm 31:20 assures believers that God’s presence is an unassailable refuge from such conspiracy. The term therefore invites confident trust, ethical transparency, and hope that every secret plot is already under the all-seeing governance of the Lord.
Forms and Transliterations
מֵֽרֻכְסֵ֫י מרכסי mê·ruḵ·sê meruchSei mêruḵsê
Links
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