Rakkath is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the territorial boundaries of the tribe of Naphtali. It is referenced in the Book of Joshua, which details the division of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel following their exodus from Egypt and subsequent conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua.

Biblical Reference:

The primary mention of Rakkath is found in Joshua 19:35, which lists it among the fortified cities within the inheritance of the tribe of Naphtali. The verse states: "The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth" (Joshua 19:35).

Geographical Context:

Rakkath is believed to have been located in the region of Galilee, near the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Its precise location is not definitively known, but it is often associated with the area around the modern city of Tiberias. The mention of Rakkath alongside other fortified cities suggests its strategic importance in the defense and administration of the territory allotted to Naphtali.

Historical and Archaeological Insights:

While there is limited archaeological evidence directly identifying Rakkath, the region of Galilee has been extensively studied, revealing a rich history of settlement and fortification. The proximity to the Sea of Galilee would have made Rakkath a valuable location for trade, fishing, and agriculture, contributing to the economic stability of the Naphtali tribe.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Rakkath, along with other cities, underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to the Israelites regarding the land of Canaan. The allocation of specific territories to each tribe reflects the divine order and providence in the establishment of Israel as a nation. The fortified nature of these cities also highlights the need for security and defense in a land surrounded by potential adversaries.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the broader cultural and historical context, the cities of Naphtali, including Rakkath, played a role in the complex interactions between the Israelites and neighboring peoples. The region of Galilee, known for its diverse population and cultural exchanges, would later become significant in the New Testament as the area where Jesus conducted much of His ministry.

Rakkath, though briefly mentioned, is part of the intricate tapestry of biblical history, illustrating the detailed record of Israel's settlement in the Promised Land and the enduring legacy of the tribal divisions established under Joshua's leadership.Rakkath

empty; temple of the head

Rakkath

(shore), a fortified city in the tribe of Naphtali. (Joshua 19:35) It was on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, not far from the warm baths of Tiberias.

Shore-town, a "fenced city" of the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:35). The old name of Tiberias, according to the Rabbins. RAKKATH

rak'-ath (raqqath; Codex Vaticanus Omathadaketh; Codex Alexandrinus Rhekkath): The Greek is obviously the result of confusing the two names Rakkath and Hammath, taking "r" in the former for "d". Rakkath was one of the fortified cities in Naphtali (Joshua 19:35). It is named between Hammath and Chinnereth. Hammath is identified with the hot baths to the South of Tiberias. There are traces of ancient fortifications here. The rabbis think that Tiberias was built on the site of Rakkath. Certain it is that Herod's town was built upon an ancient site, the graves of the old inhabitants being disturbed in digging the new foundations (Neubauer, Geog. du Talmud, 208).

W. Ewing

7557. Raqqath -- a city in Naphtali
... 7556, 7557. Raqqath. 7558 . a city in Naphtali. Transliteration: Raqqath Phonetic
Spelling: (rak-kath') Short Definition: Rakkath. ... Rakkath. ...
/hebrew/7557.htm - 6k

Tiberias.
... Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient
times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 72 tiberias.htm

Chammath. Ammaus. The Warm Baths of Tiberias.
... Chammath and Rakkath are joined together, Joshua 19:35. ... "Rabbah said, Chammath is
the same with the warm baths of Gadara, and Rakkath is Tiberias.". ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 74 chammath ammaus the.htm

Rakkath (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAKKATH. ... There are traces of ancient fortifications
here. The rabbis think that Tiberias was built on the site of Rakkath. ...
/r/rakkath.htm - 7k

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)
... It is said to have been founded by Herod Antipas (AD 16), on the site of the ruins
of an older city called Rakkath, and to have been thus named by him after ...
/t/tiberias.htm - 15k

Chinnereth (4 Occurrences)
... Codex Alexandrinus, Cheneroth (Joshua 11:2)): Taking the order in which the towns
are mentioned, this city seems to have lain North of Rakkath (?Tiberias). ...
/c/chinnereth.htm - 9k

Hammath (2 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 2:55). (2) One of the fenced cities of Naphtali, named with Zer,
Rakkath and Chinnereth (Joshua 19:35). It is doubtless ...
/h/hammath.htm - 8k

Ziddim-zer (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ziddim-zer (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:35 And the fortified
cities were Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth, (See JPS). ...
/z/ziddim-zer.htm - 6k

Zer (1 Occurrence)
... Zer (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath,
Rakkath, Chinnereth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/zer.htm - 7k

Ziddim (1 Occurrence)
... Ziddim (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:35 The fortified cities were Ziddim, Zer, Hammath,
Rakkath, Chinnereth, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/z/ziddim.htm - 7k

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)
... Jordan eastward. (See NIV). Joshua 19:35 The fortified cities were Ziddim,
Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth, (See NIV). 1 Kings 15 ...
/k/kinnereth.htm - 8k

Walled (63 Occurrences)
... Heleb and Achzib; (BBE). Joshua 19:35 And the walled towns are Ziddim, Zer,
and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth (BBE). 1 Samuel 6:18 ...
/w/walled.htm - 25k

Fenced (61 Occurrences)
... coast to Achzib, (YLT). Joshua 19:35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer,
and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth, (KJV). 1 Samuel 6:18 ...
/f/fenced.htm - 27k

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