רִכְבָּה
a chariot (collectively)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רִכְבָּה (rikbâh) refers to a chariot or a group of chariots, understood collectively. It is the feminine form of רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393), which generally means a single chariot or chariotry. In its sole biblical occurrence in Ezekiel 27:20, it describes 'chariots' as a valuable commodity traded by Dedan, likely referring to a unit or fleet of such vehicles. This collective sense emphasizes not just individual war machines but the military or economic power they represent as a group.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel 27:20. It appears in the context of a prophetic lament over Tyre, listing the luxury goods and military equipment traded by various nations. Here, Dedan trades in 'precious clothes for chariots' (KJV), placing רִכְבָּה within a commercial and martial inventory, highlighting chariots as a high-value export in ancient Near Eastern economies.
Etymology
רִכְבָּה (rikbâh) is derived from the masculine noun רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393), meaning 'chariot' or 'chariotry.' The feminine suffix (-âh) often denotes a collective or abstract noun, thus shifting the meaning from a single vehicle to a group or the concept of chariotry itself. The root רכב (r-k-b) means 'to ride' or 'to mount,' connecting the word fundamentally to riding vehicles or animals.
Semantic Range
While the word itself appears only once, its connection to chariotry touches on significant biblical themes. Chariots often symbolize human military strength and pride, contrasted with trust in God's power (e.g., Psalm 20:7). In Ezekiel's oracle against Tyre, the mention of traded chariots underscores the city's reliance on wealth and military alliances, which God judges as futile. Understanding this term enriches the reading of Ezekiel 27 by highlighting the material sources of Tyre's arrogance.
In the ancient Near East, chariots were premier instruments of war and status symbols, akin to modern tanks. They were expensive, requiring specialized craftsmen, horses, and drivers. Their trade, as noted in Ezekiel 27:20, was a high-stakes enterprise among nations. A 'chariot' collectively (רִכְבָּה) could refer to a military unit or a shipment of such vehicles, representing significant economic and martial capital in the Iron Age.
רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — The more common masculine noun for a chariot(s), often used for single vehicles or general chariotry. מֶרְכָּבָה (merkābâh, H4818) — Another term for chariot, sometimes with a more specific or ornate connotation (e.g., Song of Solomon 3:9).
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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