רַק

From the study of 1 Kings 21:25

Range of meaning

A particle meaning 'only, nothing but' as a limit, or 'surely, indeed' as emphasis, or 'but, however' to set something apart from what came before (BDB).

Against the English

KJV and WEB say 'But'. BSB and YLT say 'Surely'. The difference is small. 'Surely' gives the emphasis, and 'But' shows that the narrator is stepping out of the scene.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common across Hebrew prose. The Septuagint here seems to render the opening with a word meaning 'in vain / foolishly', which suggests the Greek translators read or interpreted the start of the verse differently.

From the study of Deuteronomy 4:6

Range of meaning

A limiting particle: 'only, nothing but, except'. In some contexts it becomes emphatic: 'surely, indeed, no doubt'.

Against the English

BSB/KJV/WEB 'Surely' catches the exclamation. YLT 'Only' is literal but awkward. The sense is 'It can only be that this is a wise people!'

Used elsewhere in the period

Similar emphatic uses: Gen 20:11 ('surely there is no fear of God in this place'). The Greek Septuagint renders it 'Behold!' (idou), treating it as an exclamation.

From the study of Genesis 20:11

Range of meaning

Its basic meaning is 'only, merely' (limiting: Gen 6:5 'only evil'). It can also stress a statement, as in 'surely, certainly' (BDB lists this use, and Gen 20:11 is a standard example). Some grammarians hear a shade of 'it's simply that…' here.

Against the English

Most versions say 'Surely' (KJV, WEB, BSB). ESV's 'at all' carries the same emphasis by attaching it to the denial. The Latin Vulgate softens it to something like 'perhaps.'

Used elsewhere in the period

Used with emphasis in Hebrew narrative and poetry, e.g. Deut 4:6 ('surely this great nation is a wise people'). Lexicons (BDB, HALOT) list both senses.