The Hebrew word ṭûws, represented by H2907, is a primitive root meaning to pounce as a bird of prey; haste. This rare term appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, located in 1 unique verse, making its single usage highly specific and illustrative.
The sole appearance of H2907 is in Job 9:26, where Job laments the swiftness of his life. The verse uses a pair of similes to describe how quickly his days are passing: "They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey." Here, H2907 is translated as "hasteth," vividly portraying a sudden, rapid, and focused dive, capturing a sense of unstoppable speed and predatory finality.
The context of H2907 in Job 9:26 connects it to several other significant words:
- H5404 nesher (the eagle): This word refers to the eagle or another large bird of prey. The eagle is frequently used as a symbol of speed and power, as when God describes bearing Israel on "eagles' wings" Exodus 19:4 or when the LORD promises that those who wait upon Him will "mount up with wings as eagles" Isaiah 40:31.
- H400 ʼôkel (prey): Defined as food or prey, this word highlights the object of the eagle's haste. While often used for general food or a meal Psalms 145:15, in this context, it specifies the target of a predatory attack, emphasizing the eagle's deadly intent.
- H2498 châlaph (to hasten away, pass on): In Job 9:26, this word is translated as "passed away," establishing the theme of fleeting time. It also carries the meaning of renewal or change, as seen when Joseph changed his raiment Genesis 41:14 or when believers shall "renew their strength" Isaiah 40:31.
The conceptual significance of H2907 is derived entirely from its powerful imagery in Job's lament.
- The Brevity of Life: The primary theme is the fleeting nature of human existence. The image of an eagle pouncing on its prey powerfully illustrates how quickly life passes by, seemingly in an instant.
- Sudden and Unstoppable Motion: The word implies a sudden, irreversible dive. This communicates the idea that time's passage is not a gentle fading but a rapid, forceful, and uncontrollable movement toward an end.
- A Sense of Helplessness: By comparing his life to prey being hunted by a hasting eagle, Job expresses a profound sense of helplessness in the face of his suffering and the swift march of time.
In summary, while H2907 is one of the rarest words in the biblical lexicon, its single use offers a potent and memorable metaphor. It encapsulates the concepts of speed, suddenness, and finality. Within the book of Job, it serves as a sharp and vivid illustration of the brevity of life, comparing the passing of days to the unstoppable pounce of an eagle on its prey.
TRV