רִקְמָה
variegation of color; specifically, embroidery
Definition
רִקְמָה (riqmâh) refers to richly colored, intricately designed embroidery or needlework, often signifying luxury and beauty. In most biblical contexts, it describes ornate, multi-colored textiles used in royal or priestly garments (Psalm 45:14) and in the adornment of the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 29:2). The word can also denote the variegated, colorful patterns themselves, as seen in the description of an eagle's wings in Ezekiel 17:3. In Ezekiel 16:10-13, it specifically represents lavish, embroidered clothing given as a sign of honor and covenant blessing.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 11 times, primarily in poetic and prophetic books. It is used in descriptions of luxury items: the spoils of war in Judges 5:30, materials for the temple in 1 Chronicles 29:2, and royal apparel in Psalm 45:14. Ezekiel uses it most frequently (5 times) in metaphorical contexts—to depict Jerusalem's exalted status through embroidered garments (Ezekiel 16:10, 13, 18) and in the allegory of the eagle's colorful wings (Ezekiel 17:3). It consistently conveys value, artistry, and splendor.
Etymology
Derived from the root רָקַם (rāqam, H7551), meaning 'to variegate, to embroider.' The root implies the action of skillfully intertwining threads to create colorful patterns. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages (e.g., Arabic raqama, 'to embroider or write'), suggesting a shared cultural concept of decorative stitching. The noun form רִקְמָה specifically denotes the resulting embroidered product or its colorful appearance.
Semantic Range
רִקְמָה carries theological weight as a symbol of divine craftsmanship, covenant blessing, and sacred beauty. In Ezekiel 16, God adorns Jerusalem with embroidered clothing as an act of election and grace, highlighting His role as a lavish provider. Its use in tabernacle materials (1 Chronicles 29:2) points to God's worthiness of exquisite, artful worship. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by revealing how physical beauty and artistry in Scripture often reflect spiritual realities—God's creative splendor and His desire to dignify His people.
In the ancient Near East, embroidery was a highly skilled, labor-intensive craft associated with wealth, royalty, and religious ceremony. Unlike modern machine-made fabrics, רִקְמָה represented handcrafted luxury, often using expensive dyes (like purple and scarlet) and precious threads. Such textiles were status symbols, worn by elites and used in temple worship. The 'needlework on both sides' (as noted in the KJV) implies a double-sided technique, showcasing exceptional artisan skill and adding to the item's value and beauty.
תַּשְׁבֵּץ (tashbēts, H8665) — specifically checker or mosaic work, often in priestly garments; רִבְעָה (rivʿâh, H7273) — a term for variegated or colored fabric, but less specific to embroidery.
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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