Encyclopedia entry
Raca
Vain, empty, worthless, only found in Matt. 5:22. The Jews used it as a word of contempt. It is derived from a root meaning “to spit.”
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
a term of reproach derived from the Chaldee reka, worthless. (“Raca denotes a certain looseness of life and manners, while ’fool,’ in the same passage, means a downright wicked and reprobate person.”) (Matthew 5:22)
In the Bible
1
Verses where Raca is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- Matthew 5:22
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Scripture on Raca
1
Entries that reference Raca
1
Raca references
1
Sources · Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869) · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.