רָחַם
To fondle ; by implication, to love , especially to compassionate
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does רָחַם (rāḥam) mean in the Bible?
רָחַם (rāḥam) is a Hebrew word meaning "to fondle ; by implication, to love , especially to compassionate". to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate BDB: love Usage: have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, × surely. Restoration flows from God’s compassionate character. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant.
Meaning
Physical tenderness toward the vulnerable grounds God's merciful love—compassion rooted in deep emotional attachment, not abstract duty.
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate BDB: love Usage: have compassion (on, upon), love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon), (have) pity, Ruhamah, × surely.
Why This Word Matters
Restoration flows from God’s compassionate character. Hosea 1:2-9
Reveals the depth of God’s covenant love. Hosea 11:8-11
Highlights the emotional depth of divine restoration. Hosea 14:1-3
Withdrawal of covenant compassion signals curse reversal. Isaiah 14:1-8
Central expression of covenant mercy. Isaiah 49:14-21
Ground of restoration. Isaiah 49:7-13
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 19×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 3×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 47 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.