רַקֶּפֶת (Rakefet) — Cyclamen

Etymology

In the late 19th century, the flower was first known in modern Hebrew as Lechem-Chazir ("Pig's Bread"), a literal translation of the German Saubrod. This name reflected the pigs' habit of digging up and eating the plant's tubers. However, the modern name Rakefet has much deeper roots, tracing back to a 6th-century Aramaic term.

The name was rediscovered by the scholar Immanuel Löw in a manuscript of Sefer HaRefuot (The Book of Medicines) by Asaph the Physician. Asaph referred to the plant by its Aramaic name, Rakefeta, and described its medicinal uses for treating tears, menstrual pain, and hair loss. The Semitic root R-K-P is extremely rare, possibly relating to "covering" or "layering" in Syriac, which may describe the plant's tendency to grow under rocks or the flat, circular shape of its tubers.

Eliyahu Sapir, a banker and linguist, adopted Löw's research to develop Hebrew botanical terminology. The word Rakefet first appeared in Hebrew in 1911, in a posthumously published agricultural report translated by Sapir. While a competing name, Nezar Shlomo ("Solomon's Crown"), was popular for a time, Rakefet eventually dominated, largely due to the influence of Levin Kipnis's famous 1920 children's song.

Key Quotes

"עליהו רחבים ומנוקדים ושורשיו גלולים ושחורים מבחוץ ומבפנים לבנים" — אסף הרופא, ספר הרפואות, המאה ה-6 לספירה

"הרַקֶּפֶת הגדלה במקומות הלחים עם עליה היפים האדמדמים ומנֻקדים לבן ופרחיה הקטנים האדומים נחמדי המראה ונעימי הריח" — אליהו ספיר, 1911

"מתחת לסלע צומחת לפלא, רַקֶּפֶת נחמדת מאוד" — לוין קיפנס, 1920

Timeline

• 6th Century: Asaph the Physician records the name "Rakefeta" in Aramaic.
• 1881: Immanuel Löw publishes his research on Aramaic plant names, identifying "Rakefeta."
• 1883: The calque "Lechem-Chazir" is first used in Hebrew literature.
• 1911: Eliyahu Sapir introduces "Rakefet" in his translation of a German agricultural report.
• 1913: Israel Eitan includes "Rakefet" in a professional botanical dictionary.
• 1920: Levin Kipnis writes the iconic song "Rakefet," cementing the name in Hebrew culture.
• 1930: Va'ad HaLashon lists "Rakefet" alongside "Nezar Shlomo."
• 1950s: The alternative name "Nezar Shlomo" falls out of common usage.

Related Words

• לחם-חזיר (Lechem-Chazir) — an early calque name meaning "Pig's Bread."
• נזר שלמה (Nezar Shlomo) — a poetic alternative name meaning "Solomon's Crown."
• סיקלמין (Cyclamen) — the Greek/scientific name noted by Asaph the Physician.