Original Word: רָתַם
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ratham
Pronunciation: rah-THAM
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-tham')
Definition: To bind, to tie
Meaning: to yoke up

yoke, bind

A primitive root; to yoke up (to the pole of a vehicle) -- bind.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to bind, attach
NASB Translation
harness (1).

[רָתַם] verb bind, attach (compare Arabic thread bound to finger as reminder); —

Qal Imperative masculine singular רְתֹם הַמֶּרְכָּבָה לָרֶכֶשׁ Micah 1:13.

Word Origin: A primitive root

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 2218 • ζυγός (zygos): A yoke; metaphorically, a burden or bondage.
• Strong's Greek Number 4801 • συνζεύγνυμι (synzeugnymi): To join together, to yoke together.

The verb רָתַם (ratham) is not frequently used in the Hebrew Bible, but its implications are profound, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites and the spiritual lessons drawn from everyday life. The imagery of yoking is also echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of His yoke being easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:29-30, BSB), inviting believers to find rest in Him through shared labor and partnership.

Usage: The verb רָתַם (ratham) is used in the context of yoking or harnessing animals, typically for the purpose of plowing or pulling a cart. It conveys the action of binding or fastening animals together to work in unison.

Context: The Hebrew verb רָתַם (ratham) appears in the context of agricultural practices in ancient Israel, where yoking animals was a common task for farmers. This term is used to describe the act of joining animals, such as oxen, with a yoke to perform tasks that require strength and coordination. The yoke, a wooden beam placed across the necks of the animals, allows them to pull heavy loads or plow fields effectively. The concept of yoking is also metaphorically used in the Bible to describe partnerships or burdens shared between individuals or groups. The act of yoking is significant in illustrating themes of cooperation, submission, and shared labor.

רְתֹ֧ם רתם rə·ṯōm reTom rəṯōmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts