Raca
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Raca is an Aramaic term of contempt found in the New Testament, literally meaning 'empty-headed' or 'worthless,' used to describe a person of low intelligence or moral character.
What is the meaning of Raca in the Bible?
Raca is an Aramaic term of contempt found in the New Testament, literally meaning 'empty-headed' or 'worthless,' used to describe a person of low intelligence or moral character.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the specific meaning of this term reveals the depth of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:22, where he elevates the prohibition against verbal abuse to the same moral seriousness as murder, thereby underscoring the intrinsic value of every individual in Christian ethics.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Raca in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Raca clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.