Lexical Definition

‎רָגַל‎ râgal (raw-gal') to spy ^H:V
a primitive root; also as denominative from ‎רֶגֶל‎

backbite, search, slander, (e-) spy (out), teach to go, view.

• to walk along
• but only in specifically, applications, to reconnoiter, to be atale-bearer (i.e. slander)
• to lead about

1) to go on foot, spy out, foot it, go about, walk along, move the feet
1a) (Qal) to be a tale-bearer, slander, go about
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to slander
1b2) to go about as explorer, spy
1c) (Tiphel) to teach to walk

See Greek: δολόω · κατασκοπέω · κατάσκοπος

Extended Information

• Also means: tir.gal (‎ת‎ִּ‎ר‎ְ‎ג‎ַּ‎ל‎ "to teach" תִּרְגַּל)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎רָגַל‎ verb denominative foot it, go about; —

Qal go about (maliciously, as slanderer; compare Arabic and slanderer, from √ √ wallk along, walk quickly), slander, Perfect 3 masculine singular ‎עַללֿשֹׁנוֺ‎ ‎׳‎‎לאֹרֿ‎ Ps 15:3, he talks no slander upon his tongue (|| ‎דֹּבֵר אֱמֶת‎ vPs 15:2). Pi`elImperfect 3 masculine singular‎וַיְרַגֵּל‎ 2Sam 19:28*, 3 masculine plural ‎וַיְרַגְּלוּ‎ Deut 1:24; Josh 7:2 Imperative masculine plural ‎רַגְּלוּ‎ Josh 7:2 Infinitive construct ‎לְרֵגֵּל‎ Num 21:32 + 5 t.; suffix ‎לְרַגְּלָהּ‎ 2Sam 10:3 Participle plural ‎מְרַגְּלִים‎ Gen 42:9 + 11 t.; —

1. slander (compare Qal), ‎בְּעַבְדְךָ אֶל‎ ‎׳‎‎וַיְר‎ 2Sam 19:28*.

2. go about as explorer, spy, with accusative of location Num 21:32; Josh 6:25; Josh 7:2 (twice in verse); Josh 14:7 (all J E), Judg 18:2 (|| ‎חָקַר‎), vJudg 18:14 vJudg 18:17; 2Sam 10:3 (|| ‎חָקַר‎), 1Chr 19:3, so also participle Gen 42:30 (E), Josh 6:22 (JE); participle, accusative omitted, as adjective, ‎אֲנָשִׁים מְרַגְּלִים‎ Josh 2:1, compare Josh 6:23 (both J E); as substantive, spies 1Sam 26:4; 2Sam 15:10, and so perhaps (as predicate) Gen 42:9; Gen 42:11; Gen 42:14; Gen 42:16; Gen 42:31; Gen 42:34 (all E). Tiph`el, Perfect 1 singular ‎תִּרְגַּלְתִּי לְאֶפְרַיִם‎ Hos 11:3 I taught Ephraim to walk (si vera 1.; see Ges^{«GKC:55h»§ 55h}).

Brown-Driver-Briggs References