Hebrew word · H7553

רִקְמָה

rikmah

embroidery

Multicolored, patterned fabric: cloth woven or embroidered in several colors. By extension, anything with varied colors: an eagle's plumage (Ezek 17:3) and 'stones of various colors' (1 Chr 29:2). The related verb is used for the body being 'intricately woven' in the womb (Ps 139:15).

Appears 12 times in 11 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

variegated stuff, embroidered

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Psalm 45:14

Range of meaning

Multicolored, patterned fabric: cloth woven or embroidered in several colors. By extension, anything with varied colors: an eagle's plumage (Ezek 17:3) and 'stones of various colors' (1 Chr 29:2). The related verb is used for the body being 'intricately woven' in the womb (Ps 139:15). A related noun, roqem, is the craftsman who made the colored screens of the tabernacle (Exod 26:36).

Against the English

KJV 'needlework' and NASB/WEB 'embroidered work' stress the needle. YLT 'divers colours', BSB 'colorful garments' and ESV 'many-colored robes' stress the color. The Hebrew word covers both: patterned, colored, costly textile. 'Needlework' can make modern readers think of home sewing, but this was a luxury trade good.

How it drifted

In 1611 'needlework' meant fine embroidery of any kind. Today it suggests hobby craft, which hides how expensive the fabric was.

Used elsewhere in the period

In Judges 5:30 Sisera's mother imagines plunder of 'dyed cloth, embroidered'. In Ezekiel 16:10–13 God dresses Jerusalem, pictured as a bride, in riqmah. In Ezekiel 26:16 the sea-princes take off their embroidered garments. Ezekiel 27:7, 16, 24 lists riqmah among the luxury goods traded through Tyre. Tyre is the city mentioned in this psalm (v. 12). The Septuagint translates the idea with poikilos ('many-colored').

From the study of Ezekiel 16:10

Range of meaning

Variegation or multicolour. It covers cloth worked in several colours (by needle or loom), the mottled plumage of an eagle (Ezekiel 17:3) and stones of various colours (1 Chronicles 29:2). The related verb and participle (roqem, 'colour-weaver') name the craftsman who made the tabernacle screens and the priest's sash (Exodus 26:36; 27:16; 28:39). In Psalm 139:15 the same verb pictures God 'weaving' a person in the depths.

Against the English

'Embroidered' (BSB, ESV, KJV 'broidered work', NIV 'embroidered dress') is a fair rendering. But it narrows the word to needlework, while the Hebrew stresses colour and pattern, whatever technique made them. YLT's 'embroidery' does the same.

How it drifted

Mild. Modern 'embroidery' suggests decorative stitching on plain cloth. The ancient word puts colour first, and colour came from expensive dyes.

Used elsewhere in the period

Judges 5:30 (Sisera's mother imagines spoil of 'dyed cloth, embroidered'). Psalm 45:14 (the royal bride is led to the king 'in many-coloured garments'). Ezekiel 26:16 and 27:7, 16, 24 (trade goods and princes' robes). The Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) renders it poikila, 'many-coloured things'.

From the study of Ezekiel 16:13

Range of meaning

Cloth with many colours, whether woven in or embroidered on. The related participle roqem names a craftsman of this kind of work. The word is also used of mottled plumage (Ezek 17:3) and of the body being 'intricately woven' in the womb (Ps 139:15, same root).

Against the English

'Embroidered cloth' (BSB, NIV) and 'broidered work' (KJV) are fair. 'Multicoloured cloth' captures the visual effect better. The Hebrew does not specify the technique.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 26:36; 27:16; 28:39 ('work of the roqem' for the tabernacle screens and the priest's sash). Judg 5:30 (Sisera's mother imagines spoils of riqmah). Ps 45:14 (the royal bride led to the king in riqmot). Ezek 27:7, 16, 24 (luxury trade goods of Tyre).

Where it appears

Judges · 2

  1. Judges 5:30 רִקְמָ֑ה רִקְמָתַ֖יִם embroidered material, embroidered material<s>

    ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’

1 Chronicles · 1

  1. 1 Chronicles 29:2 וְרִקְמָ֗ה and variegated color

    Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance.

    Here: Normally a word for multicoloured embroidered cloth (Ezek 16:10; 27:7). Applied to stone it means multicoloured or patterned stones, perhaps for inlay or mosaic.

Psalms · 1

  1. Psalm 45:14 לִרְקָמוֹת֮ to embroidered robes

    In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.

    Here: "In (or wearing) richly patterned, many-colored fabrics": luxury woven and embroidered garments. The little preposition le- here describes the state she comes in ("in, clothed with"). It is placed first for emphasis, so the hearer sees the dazzling robes before anything else.

Ezekiel · 8

  1. Ezekiel 16:10 רִקְמָ֔ה multicolored cloth

    I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.

    Here: Cloth worked in several colours, by needlework or patterned weaving. It was the dress of brides and royalty and the stuff of costly war spoil, so the foundling who was once naked now wears festival colours.

  2. Ezekiel 16:13 וְרִקְמָ֔ה and multicolored cloth

    So you were adorned with gold and silver, and your clothing was made of fine linen, silk, and embroidered cloth. You ate fine flour, honey, and oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be queen.

    Here: Cloth with many colours woven or stitched into it. It was the dress of royal brides (Ps 45:14) and costly trade goods (Ezek 27:7, 16, 24).

  3. Ezekiel 16:18 רִקְמָתֵ֖ךְ multicolored cloth your

    You took your embroidered garments to cover them, and you set My oil and incense before them.

  4. Ezekiel 17:3 הָֽרִקְמָ֑ה <the> variegated plumage

    and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers of many colors, came to Lebanon and took away the top of the cedar.

  5. Ezekiel 26:16 רִקְמָתָ֖ם multicolored cloth their

    All the princes of the sea will descend from their thrones, remove their robes, and strip off their embroidered garments. Clothed with terror, they will sit on the ground, trembling every moment, appalled over you.

    Here: 'Their embroidery,' meaning many-colored woven or embroidered cloth. This was a luxury good, and in Ezekiel 27 it is one of the things Tyre traded in. The rulers take off the very finery Tyre's trade supplied.

  6. Ezekiel 27:7 בְּרִקְמָ֤ה with colorful weaving

    Of embroidered fine linen from Egypt they made your sail, which served as your banner. Of blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah they made your awning.

  7. Ezekiel 27:16 וְרִקְמָ֤ה and multicolored cloth

    Aram was your customer because of your many products; they exchanged turquoise, purple, embroidered work, fine linen, coral, and rubies for your wares.

  8. Ezekiel 27:24 וְרִקְמָ֔ה and multicolored cloth

    In your marketplace they traded with you fine garments of blue, embroidered work, and multicolored rugs with cords tightly twisted and knotted.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.