רָגַע
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves
Definition
The Hebrew verb רָגַע (rāgaʿ) carries a core sense of sudden, violent motion, often describing the churning of the sea (Job 26:12) or the agitation of skin with boils. From this physical sense, it developed the figurative meaning of 'to settle' or 'to quiet,' as seen when God promises to give rest to His people (Jeremiah 31:2). A specific, idiomatic usage refers to the rapid motion of the eyelids, meaning 'to wink' or 'to be a moment' (Job 7:5, Proverbs 12:19), conveying brevity or a fleeting instant.
Biblical Usage
The word is used 13 times across poetic and prophetic books. Its primary contexts are: 1) The agitation of the sea or other physical turmoil (Job 26:12, Isaiah 51:15). 2) The state of rest or cessation from turmoil, often granted by God (Deuteronomy 28:65, Jeremiah 31:2). 3) The concept of a brief moment, as in the fleeting nature of life or speech (Job 7:5, Proverbs 12:19). It appears most frequently in Isaiah and Job.
Etymology
A primitive root, רָגַע is related to the idea of sudden, agitated movement. Cognates in other Semitic languages suggest meanings like 'to disturb' or 'to thunder.' The Hebrew meaning developed from physical agitation to include the resultant calm and the brevity of a rapid motion.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects God's power over chaos (calming the raging sea) with His provision of covenantal rest and peace for His people. The contrast between agitation and divinely given quietness highlights God's sovereignty over both turmoil and tranquility. Understanding this range enriches reading, showing that divine 'rest' (Jeremiah 31:2) is often a resolution of prior distress.
In ancient Near Eastern thought, the raging sea was a common symbol for chaos and disorder. God's ability to 'quiet' it (Job 26:12) affirmed His supremacy over chaotic forces. The idiom of 'winking' or 'a moment' (Proverbs 12:19) reflects a cultural understanding of brief, non-verbal communication or the fleeting nature of time.
שָׁקַט (shāqat, H8252) — emphasizes a state of being quiet, calm, or at peace, less about the motion preceding it. נוּחַ (nûaḥ, H5117) — focuses on resting, settling down, or coming to a stop, often in a physical location. דָּמַם (dāmam, H1826) — means to be silent, still, or to cease, often from speech or action.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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