The Hebrew word ʻûwz, represented by H5756, is a primitive root primarily used to convey the act of gathering for safety or flight. Its base definition is to be strong, but causatively it means to strengthen, save by flight, gather, or retire. This specific term appears only 4 times in 4 unique verses, always in a context of urgency and self-preservation.
In the biblical narrative, H5756 is consistently used as a command or description of flight from imminent danger. In the face of coming destruction from the north, the prophet Jeremiah commands the people to retire from their positions and not to stay Jeremiah 4:6. This is echoed in his call for the children of Benjamin to gather yourselves to flee from Jerusalem Jeremiah 6:1. The term is also used to describe the reactive flight of the inhabitants of Gebim Isaiah 10:31. A different application is seen in Exodus, where God instructs the Egyptians to gather their cattle from the fields to save them from the plague of hail, linking the action to preservation from divine judgment Exodus 9:19.
Several related words help clarify the contexts in which H5756 is used:
- H1259 bârâd (hail): This is the direct threat from which people are to gather their property in Exodus 9:19. It is frequently depicted as an instrument of God's judgment, as when hailstones were cast down from heaven during battle Joshua 10:11.
- H5074 nâdad (to rove, flee): This word shares the theme of flight with ʻûwz. It describes those who fled from their enemies Psalms 31:11 or a man who wandereth from his place like a bird from its nest Proverbs 27:8.
- H622 ʼâçaph (to gather): While ʻûwz specifies gathering for flight, ʼâçaph is a broader term for gathering. It can mean to gather nations for battle Zechariah 14:2 or to be gathered to one's people in death Genesis 25:8. Its use in Exodus 9:19 for those who were not "brought home" highlights the life-or-death nature of the gathering.
- H7971 shâlach (to send away, for, or out): This word initiates the action in Exodus 9:19, where the command is to "send therefore now, and gather thy cattle." It often signifies divine commission, as when the Lord puts forth or stretches forth his hand (Jeremiah 1:9, Psalms 138:7).
- H8628 tâqaʻ (to blow a trumpet): This action accompanies the command to flee in Jeremiah 6:1, where the people are told to blow the trumpet in Tekoa as a warning. The trumpet sound is a recurring signal for alarm or assembly in the face of major events Joel 2:1.
- H935 bôwʼ (to go or come): This word describes the arrival of the very destruction that necessitates the action of ʻûwz. God declares he will bring evil from the north Jeremiah 4:6, making the call to flee a direct response to what God is causing to come.
The theological weight of H5756 is tied to its role in scenarios of divine judgment and mercy.
- Urgent Response to Warning: The word appears as a command that demands immediate action. The call to retire or gather yourselves to flee is a direct response to a divine warning of imminent destruction, emphasizing the necessity of heeding prophetic messages (Jeremiah 4:6, Jeremiah 6:1).
- A Path to Preservation: In the midst of judgment, H5756 represents a means of escape provided by God himself. By commanding the Egyptians to gather their cattle, God offers a way to be saved from the plague of hail, demonstrating that an opportunity for preservation can exist even within a divine decree of punishment Exodus 9:19.
- Consequence of Impending Judgment: The need to flee is a direct result of coming calamity. The appearance of evil from the north Jeremiah 6:1 and the removal of neighboring towns Isaiah 10:31 create the conditions where gathering to flee is the only remaining option for survival.
In summary, H5756 is a highly specific and rare term that signifies a strategic retreat or gathering for flight in the face of overwhelming danger. While its root meaning is "to be strong," its biblical usage is always about saving oneself or one's property by moving away from a threat. It underscores the themes of divine warning, the dire consequences of judgment, and the provision of mercy through a path of escape for those who listen and act.
TRV