Original Word: רָחֵק
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: racheq
Pronunciation: rah-khayk'
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-khake')
KJV: that are far
NASB: far
Word Origin: [from H7368 (רָחַק - far)]

1. remote

remote

From rachaq; remote -- that are far.

see HEBREW rachaq

Word Origin
from rachaq
Definition
removing, departing
NASB Translation
far (1).

[רָחֵק] verbal adjective removing, departing; — plural suffix, as substantive, רְחֵקֶיךָ Psalm 73:27 those departing from thee (i.e. from ׳י).

Overview

Râḥēq (רָחֵק) appears once in the Old Testament (Psalm 73:27), portraying relational distance from the covenant LORD rather than mere physical separation. Its single usage gives the term weighty theological force, sharpening the contrast between the fate of the estranged and the blessing of the faithful.

Historical and Literary Context

Psalm 73, a psalm of Asaph, records the worshiper’s struggle with the apparent success of the wicked. The turning point comes in the sanctuary (Psalm 73:17) where eternal realities eclipse temporal appearances. Verse 27 declares, “Those far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You”. Râḥēq pinpoints the wicked as covenant-breakers who have willingly distanced themselves from God’s presence, ensuring their ruin. The very next verse presents the antithesis: “But as for me, it is good to draw near to God” (Psalm 73:28), stressing the decisive choice between distance and nearness.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Faithfulness

Being “far” denotes spiritual adultery—abandoning exclusive loyalty to the LORD (Psalm 73:27; cf. Hosea 1:2). Distance is not imposed by geography but chosen through idolatry and unbelief.

2. Divine Justice

Perishing is the inevitable outcome for those who stay distant. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that separation from God culminates in judgment (Deuteronomy 29:18–20; Isaiah 59:2).

3. Invitation to Nearness

The entire witness of Scripture counters distance with invitation: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Nearness brings safety, satisfaction, and fellowship (Psalm 145:18).

4. Christological Fulfillment

Psalm 73 anticipates the New Covenant resolution in Christ: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The work of the cross nullifies râḥēq for all who believe, reconciling both Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14–18).

Ministry Applications

• Evangelism must warn of the peril of remaining far while heralding the hope of nearness through repentance and faith (Acts 17:27–31).
• Discipleship practices—prayer, Scripture, fellowship, and the Lord’s Table—cultivate continual nearness, guarding against drift (Hebrews 10:19–22).
• Pastoral care confronts sin-induced distance to restore the erring brother or sister (Galatians 6:1).
• Global missions extend the call from the sanctuary of Zion to the ends of the earth, trusting God to bring the distant near (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 1:8).

Related Terms

• qārōb (Strong’s 7138) – “near,” the positive counterpart highlighted in Psalm 73:28.
• rachōq (Strong’s 7350) – “far,” the common adjective sharing the same root.
• makrothen (Greek) – “far off,” used in New Testament parallels such as Ephesians 2:13.

Doctrinal Summary

Râḥēq embodies humanity’s self-chosen alienation from God, a posture ending in destruction unless reversed by divine grace. Psalm 73:27–28 compresses the gospel into two lines: distance means death; nearness means life. The solitary occurrence of râḥēq thus stands as a solemn warning and a gracious invitation echoed throughout redemptive history and consummated in Jesus Christ.

רְחֵקֶ֣יךָ רחקיך rə·ḥê·qe·ḵā recheKeicha rəḥêqeḵāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts