A word derived from a Hebrew word signifying vain, trifling, brainless; otherwise, beggarly, worthless. It is thus translated by the Vulgate, in Judges 11:3; in the English, "vain men." The word includes a strong idea of contempt. Christ says, Matthew 5:22, whoever shall say to his brother, "Raca," shall be condemned by the council, or sanhedrim. The term translated "fool" in the same passage, means vile and abandoned wretch.

Vain, empty, worthless, only found in Matthew 5:22. The Jews used it as a word of contempt. It is derived from a root meaning "to spit."

R'ACA, n. A Syriac word signifying empty, beggarly, foolish; a term of extreme contempt. Matt. 5.

a term of reproach derived from the Chaldee reka , worthless. ("Raca denotes a certain looseness of life and manners, while ’fool,’ in the same passage, means a downright wicked and reprobate person.") (Matthew 5:22)