רֵיק
empty; figuratively, worthless
Definition
The Hebrew noun רֵיק (rêyq) primarily means 'empty' in a literal, physical sense, such as an empty water jar (Genesis 24:14) or an empty pit (Genesis 37:24). Figuratively, it describes something or someone as 'worthless,' 'vain,' or 'without substance,' as seen when describing 'vain men' of little character (Judges 9:4, 11:3). In a powerful metaphorical use, God's word is declared to be the very opposite of 'empty'—it is not 'vain' but is one's very life (Deuteronomy 32:47). This range shows the word moving from a simple description of absence to a profound judgment of value.
Biblical Usage
רֵיק is used 14 times across narrative, prophetic, and poetic books. Its literal use appears in stories about objects: empty grain sacks (Genesis 41:27), empty pitchers (Judges 7:16), and empty jars (2 Kings 4:3). Its figurative use for 'worthless' people is prominent in Judges (9:4, 11:3). The theological high point is Deuteronomy 32:47, where it contrasts God's life-giving commandments with emptiness. It also appears in a taunt about undignified behavior (2 Samuel 6:20).
Etymology
Derived from the root רוּק (rûq, H7324), meaning 'to be empty' or 'to pour out.' The noun form רֵיק retains this core idea of emptiness or void. A shorter form, רֵק, also exists. The concept is linked to the act of emptying something of its contents, which naturally extended to metaphorical meanings of being devoid of value or substance.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant for its role in contrasting the substantial with the insubstantial. Most importantly, in Deuteronomy 32:47, God declares His word is not רֵיק—it is not empty or ineffective but is the very source of life and blessing for Israel. This establishes a key biblical theme: divine instruction has inherent, life-giving power, in stark opposition to human vanity or emptiness. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the serious moral and spiritual weight given to the concept of 'vain' or 'worthless' actions and people in God's eyes.
In an ancient agrarian society, an empty container (jar, sack, pit) represented potential loss, hunger, or failed provision. To call a person 'empty' or 'vain' (רֵיק) was thus a strong social insult, implying they were unreliable, without moral substance, and contributed nothing of value to the community. This cultural understanding gives greater force to its biblical usage, especially in narratives about reckless men (Judges) and the supreme value of God's word (Deuteronomy).
שָׁוְא (shav', H7723) — 'emptiness, vanity'; often refers to falsehood or idolatry, with a stronger focus on deceit. תֹּהוּ (tohu, H8414) — 'formlessness, chaos'; describes a barren, unproductive state, like in Genesis 1:2. הֶבֶל (hevel, H1892) — 'vapor, breath'; emphasizes transience and futility, as in Ecclesiastes.
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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