raq marks a restriction, exception, or limiting condition in biblical clauses.

As a particle, raq restricts a statement to what remains, what alone applies, or the condition that limits it; the supplied clauses show it introducing exceptions, emphasizing an exclusive item or action, and setting a proviso.

1. Particle marking restriction, exception, or proviso · dominant

   The form is tagged Particle · Affirmation throughout the supplied examples and marks a limiting relation within the clause. In 1 Kings 8:9 the APB renders that nothing was in the ark "except the two stone tablets"; in Deuteronomy 12:23 it renders a focused prohibition, "Only be strong not to eat the blood"; and in 2 Kings 21:8 it presents Israel's remaining in the land as conditional, "provided they carefully keep all that I commanded them."

   1 Kings 8:9Deuteronomy 12:232 Kings 21:81 Kings 15:52 Kings 17:18Deuteronomy 17:16

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the limiting relation with "except," "only," "provided," and "none remained except." These renderings illustrate the clauses' restrictive force rather than assigning a fixed English equivalent to each token.