### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מֵרוֹץ (mêrôwts), transliterated as mêrôwts (Strong's `{{H4793}}`), is derived from the verbal root רוּץ (rûts), meaning "to run" or "to rush" (Strong's `{{H7323}}`). As a noun, מֵרוֹץ specifically denotes "a run" or, more precisely, "a race"—a competitive trial of speed. Its semantic range is narrow, emphasizing the act of running as a contest or an event designed to determine swiftness. The term encapsulates the effort, speed, and the inherent competitive nature of such an endeavor, often implying a defined course or objective.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun מֵרוֹץ (mêrôwts) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Ecclesiastes 9:11]]. This singular occurrence, however, is highly significant and deeply embedded within the Preacher's broader philosophical observations on life "under the sun":
"I returned and saw under the sun that the **race** is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the discerning, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all."
In this profound verse, מֵרוֹץ is used metaphorically to represent human endeavors and competitions. The Preacher observes that, contrary to human expectation, inherent ability or diligent effort (like being "swift" in a "race") does not guarantee success. This challenges the common assumption that outcomes are solely determined by skill, strength, wisdom, or knowledge. Instead, the verse introduces the unpredictable elements of "time and chance" (or divine providence) as ultimate arbiters of fortune. The "race" here symbolizes life's pursuits where one might expect the most capable to prevail, yet the reality is often otherwise, underscoring the vanity (הֶבֶל - hevel `{{H1892}}`) of human striving apart from divine blessing or within the context of a fallen world.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מֵרוֹץ is its root verb, רוּץ (rûts) `{{H7323}}`, "to run." This verb is widely used throughout the Old Testament to describe various forms of movement, often with speed or urgency. While מֵרוֹץ is the only noun directly signifying a "race" or "trial of speed," other Hebrew words relate to the *concept* of striving or a course of life:
* דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) `{{H1870}}`: "way," "path," "course," which can metaphorically describe one's life journey or conduct.
* עָמָל (amal) `{{H5999}}`: "toil," "labor," "trouble," reflecting the effort involved in human pursuits.
In the New Testament, the concept of a "race" as a metaphor for the Christian life is much more prevalent, using Greek terms such as δρόμος (dromos) `{{G1697}}` (e.g., [[2 Timothy 4:7]]) and ἀγών (agōn) `{{G70}}` (e.g., [[Hebrews 12:1]]). While not etymologically linked, these New Testament uses provide a rich theological parallel to the Old Testament מֵרוֹץ, highlighting the enduring biblical theme of life as a disciplined and purposeful endeavor.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of מֵרוֹץ in [[Ecclesiastes 9:11]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a cornerstone for the Preacher's argument regarding the inscrutability of divine providence and the limitations of human control "under the sun."
Theologically, the "race" not going to the swift challenges a purely meritocratic worldview. It suggests that:
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** Outcomes are not solely determined by human effort or ability, but by a higher, often unseen, ordering principle—whether "time and chance" as an expression of divine will or the unpredictable nature of existence in a fallen world. This fosters humility and dependence on God rather than self-reliance.
2. **Vanity of Human Striving:** In the context of Ecclesiastes, the unpredictability of the "race" reinforces the theme of הֶבֶל (hevel `{{H1892}}`), the "vanity" or "futility" of human endeavors when viewed apart from God. It cautions against placing ultimate hope or trust in one's own capabilities.
3. **Contrast with New Testament:** This Old Testament perspective on the מֵרוֹץ provides a crucial backdrop for understanding the New Testament's "spiritual race." While Ecclesiastes highlights the futility of the earthly race *apart from* divine favor, the New Testament race, run *in Christ* and *by grace*, promises a guaranteed prize for faithful endurance ([[1 Corinthians 9:24-27]], [[Hebrews 12:1-2]]). The Old Testament מֵרוֹץ underscores human insufficiency, while the New Testament race emphasizes divine enablement.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun מֵרוֹץ (mêrôwts) `{{H4793}}`, meaning "race" or "a trial of speed," is a rare but potent term in the Old Testament, appearing exclusively in [[Ecclesiastes 9:11]]. Derived from the verb רוּץ `{{H7323}}` ("to run"), it metaphorically represents human striving and competition. Its sole biblical occurrence is within the Preacher's profound observation that "the race is not to the swift," challenging the notion that success is solely a product of human ability or effort. Theologically, מֵרוֹץ serves as a powerful illustration of the vanity of human endeavors "under the sun," highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and the ultimate sovereignty of God. It encourages humility and a reorientation from self-reliance to a recognition of divine providence, setting a foundational Old Testament perspective for the later New Testament concept of the spiritual "race" run by faith.
TRV