Lexical Summary rekub: Chariotry, chariot force Original Word: רְכוּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chariot From passive participle of rakab; a vehicle (as ridden on) -- chariot. see HEBREW rakab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rakab Definition a chariot NASB Translation chariot (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רְכוּב] noun [masculine] chariot (BaNB 85); — suffix הַשָּׁם עָבִים רְכוּבוֺ Psalm 104:3 (of ׳י). Topical Lexicon Root Idea and Literary Setting Reḵūb pictures the act or vehicle of riding. Although it surfaces only once in Scripture, the poetic context of Psalm 104:3 opens a wide theological horizon: “He makes the clouds His chariot; He moves on the wings of the wind” (Berean Standard Bible). The psalmist joins “chariot” with celestial imagery to magnify the Lord’s sovereign mobility and exalted throne. Scriptural Usage Psalm 104 rehearses God’s creative and providential rule. By choosing the language of a “chariot,” the author draws from common Ancient Near Eastern royal motifs—kings in war-chariots—yet applies them to Yahweh’s mastery over creation’s elements. No military battle is depicted; rather, the heavens themselves are commandeered for divine purposes. The single occurrence thereby becomes a touchstone for all other biblical chariot references that celebrate God’s supremacy (for example, Psalm 68:17; Isaiah 66:15), even though those passages employ different Hebrew terms. Historical and Cultural Background In the second millennium B.C., chariots represented the height of speed, power, and technological sophistication. Egyptian, Hittite, and Canaanite armies relied on them for decisive strikes. Israel’s own early monarchy sought chariotry (1 Kings 10:26), often with uneasy dependence on foreign sources (Isaiah 31:1). Against this backdrop, Psalm 104’s language subverts human pride: what rulers prize most highly is but a metaphorical vehicle for the Creator. Theological Significance 1. Transcendence with Immanence: The chariot metaphor affirms God’s transcendence—He rides upon the clouds—yet also His immanence, for those clouds hover over earth’s waters (Psalm 104:3). Ministry and Devotional Application • Worship: Believers can employ Psalm 104 in corporate praise to celebrate God’s majestic governance of the natural order. Christological Trajectory The Gospel writers portray Jesus as Lord over wind and sea (Mark 4:39), echoing Psalm 104’s depiction of Yahweh navigating the skies. In the ascension (Acts 1:9-11), clouds again function as His vehicle, signalling that the resurrected Christ shares the same sovereign mobility hinted at by reḵūb. Eschatological Outlook Revelation’s vision of the Rider on a white horse (Revelation 19:11) consummates the motif: the King of kings returns with celestial speed and dominion, fulfilling the promise embedded in the single Old Testament mention of God’s “chariot” of clouds. Summary Reḵūb in Psalm 104:3 uses the pinnacle of ancient military technology as a metaphor to exalt the Lord’s unrivaled kingship, swift providence, and creative rule—truths that strengthen worship, inform doctrine, and anticipate the climactic victory of Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations רְכוּב֑וֹ רכובו rə·ḵū·ḇōw rechuVo rəḵūḇōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 104:3 HEB: הַשָּׂם־ עָבִ֥ים רְכוּב֑וֹ הַֽ֝מְהַלֵּ֗ךְ עַל־ NAS: the clouds His chariot; He walks KJV: the clouds his chariot: who walketh INT: makes the clouds his chariot walks upon 1 Occurrence |
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