a primitive root; to pounce as a bird of prey; haste.
Transliteration:ṭûws
Pronunciation:toos
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root ṭûws (`{{H2907}}`) is a primitive verb, carrying the core semantic range of "to pounce" or "to swoop," specifically evocative of a bird of prey descending swiftly upon its target. This primary meaning inherently conveys a sense of rapid, decisive, and often aggressive movement. From this concrete imagery, the meaning extends to "to hasten" or "to make haste," emphasizing the element of speed and urgency. The action described by ṭûws is not merely quick, but sudden, purposeful, and often irresistible, akin to an eagle's unerring dive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root ṭûws (`{{H2907}}`) is notably rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing only twice, yet each instance powerfully illustrates its core meaning:
1. **[[Job 9:26]]**: "They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey."
In this lament by Job, ṭûws describes the swift and irreversible passage of his days. The comparison to an "eagle that hasteth to the prey" (כְּנֶשֶׁר יָטוּשׁ עֲלֵי אֹכֶל) vividly portrays the relentless and unyielding march of time. The eagle's pounce is sudden, decisive, and leaves no room for escape for its victim; similarly, Job's days are consumed with an unstoppable swiftness, leaving him no respite. The imagery underscores the fleeting and fragile nature of human existence in the face of suffering and the brevity of life.
2. **[[Jeremiah 48:40]]**: "For thus saith the LORD; Behold, he shall fly as an eagle, and shall spread his wings over Moab."
Here, ṭûws depicts the impending judgment upon Moab, executed by an invading force (likely Babylon, God's instrument). The phrase "he shall fly as an eagle" (הִנֵּה כַנֶּשֶׁר יִדְאֶה וְיִפְרֹשׂ כְּנָפָיו עַל־מוֹאָב) uses ṭûws to convey the overwhelming, swift, and predatory advance of the enemy. The eagle's flight is not just swift, but majestic, powerful, and utterly dominant. This imagery communicates the inevitability and devastating force of God's judgment, which will descend upon Moab with the same irresistible precision and speed as an eagle pouncing on its quarry.
In both contexts, the word is directly associated with the action of an "eagle" (נֶשֶׁר, `{{H5404}}`), reinforcing the visual of a powerful, swift, and decisive descent.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of ṭûws (`{{H2907}}`) intersects with several related concepts:
* **Swiftness and Speed**: Words like māhîr (מָהִיר, `{{H4106}}`, "swift, quick"), qālāl (קָלַל, `{{H7031}}`, "to be light, swift"), and ḥāp̄az (חָפַז, `{{H2643}}`, "to hasten, flee in haste") share the notion of rapid movement, though ṭûws specifically adds the dimension of a sudden, predatory strike.
* **Predatory Action**: Verbs denoting attack or overwhelming force, such as pāshaṭ (פָּשַׁט, `{{H6584}}`, "to spread out, raid, strip") or bāqaʿ (בָּקַע, `{{H1234}}`, "to cleave, break open"), resonate with the aggressive "pounce" aspect of ṭûws.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: The use of ṭûws in the context of God's judgment in Jeremiah links it to the broader biblical themes of divine intervention and the irresistibility of God's will.
* **Transience of Life**: In Job, ṭûws contributes to the theme of life's brevity and the swift passage of time, a concept also explored with words like ḥālap̄ (חָלַף, `{{H2498}}`, "to pass away, change").
### Theological Significance
Despite its rarity, ṭûws (`{{H2907}}`) carries significant theological weight through its vivid imagery:
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: In [[Jeremiah 48:40]], ṭûws serves as a powerful metaphor for God's sovereign control over nations and His decisive execution of justice. The swift, overwhelming descent of the "eagle" (Babylon) upon Moab underscores the inevitability and irresistibility of divine judgment. There is no escape from the Lord's decreed actions, which are as precise and devastating as a bird of prey striking its target. This imagery instills a sense of awe before God's power and His unfailing commitment to righteous judgment.
2. **The Fleeting Nature of Life**: In [[Job 9:26]], the application of ṭûws to the passage of Job's days highlights the brevity and fragility of human existence. Life, like the swift eagle, rushes by, consuming moments and opportunities with a relentless pace. This evokes a profound sense of the transience of earthly life and the limitations of human control over time. It can serve as a somber reminder of mortality and the importance of seeking enduring truth beyond temporal concerns.
3. **Irresistible Force**: In both contexts, ṭûws conveys an overwhelming, irresistible force. Whether it is the relentless march of time that consumes human days or the divinely ordained army that descends upon a nation, the "pounce" of ṭûws signifies an action that cannot be evaded or stopped. This speaks to the absolute power of God, whether in the natural order of time or in the unfolding of historical events.
### Summary
The Hebrew root ṭûws (`{{H2907}}`) is a rare yet potent verb, primarily meaning "to pounce" or "to swoop" like a bird of prey, extending to "to hasten." Its two biblical occurrences are found in [[Job 9:26]] and [[Jeremiah 48:40]], both directly associating the word with the swift, decisive action of an eagle. In Job, it illustrates the rapid and irreversible passage of human life, emphasizing its brevity. In Jeremiah, it powerfully depicts the swift and overwhelming nature of divine judgment executed through an invading army. Theologically, ṭûws underscores God's absolute sovereignty in judgment, the irresistible force of His will, and the profound truth of life's fleeting nature, all conveyed through the vivid imagery of a predatory descent.
TRV