רֶגַע

רֶגַע

a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time

Definition

The Hebrew noun רֶגַע (regaʻ) fundamentally means a 'moment' or an 'instant'—an extremely brief, indivisible unit of time. It often describes a sudden, unexpected event, as when God threatens to destroy the Israelites 'in a moment' (Numbers 16:21, 45). In some poetic contexts, it emphasizes the fleeting nature of human life and prosperity, such as when Job laments that God examines him 'every moment' (Job 7:18) or when the wicked are said to spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol 'in a moment' (Job 21:13). The word can also imply a temporary respite or a short space of time, as seen in Ezra 9:8, where God gives a 'brief moment' of grace.

Biblical Usage

רֶגַע is used 22 times, primarily in narrative and poetic books. In narrative (Exodus, Numbers, Ezra), it often appears in divine warnings or descriptions of sudden judgment (Exodus 33:5; Numbers 16:21, 45; Ezra 9:8). In Wisdom literature (Job), it is used more abstractly to contemplate the brevity and instability of life and fortune (Job 7:18; 20:5; 21:13; 34:20). The word consistently conveys either an imminent, sudden action or the concept of a very short duration.

Etymology

Derived from the root רָגַע (rāgaʻ, H7280), meaning 'to disturb' or 'to agitate.' The noun form רֶגַע likely developed from the concept of a 'twinkling' or 'quivering'—a sudden, agitated movement—to denote the briefest measurable instant of time. Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to trembling or momentary actions.

Semantic Range

רֶגַע is theologically significant as it highlights God's sovereignty over time and His capacity for sudden intervention. It underscores the urgency of divine judgment and the fragility of human life apart from God. The word reminds readers that moments of grace, like the 'brief moment' in Ezra, are gifts from God, and that human plans can be overturned in an instant by His will. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing the biblical tension between God's eternal nature and the fleeting nature of human existence. In ancient Near Eastern thought, time was often perceived in more concrete, experiential terms rather than as an abstract continuum. A 'regaʻ' was likely understood as the smallest perceptible unit—literally the 'wink of an eye.' This differs from modern precise timekeeping, anchoring the concept in immediate human perception of a sudden change or brief pause. עֵת (ʻēt, H6256) — a general term for 'time' or 'season,' denoting a longer, appointed period. פֶּתַע (pethaʻ, H6621) — 'suddenly' or 'in an instant,' focusing more on the unexpectedness of an event rather than its brief duration. רָגַע (rāgaʻ, H7280) — the verbal root meaning 'to disturb,' showing the connection to sudden movement.

Word Details