for עוּשׁ; to hasten, i.e. succor; speak in season.
Transliteration:ʻûwth
Pronunciation:ooth
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H5790 (ʻûwth) is a rare verbal root, appearing only once in the Masoretic Text. According to the Strong's lexicon, its base definition is "for `{{H5789}}`; to hasten, i.e. succor; speak in season." This definition suggests a primary connection to the root `{{H5789}}` (ʻûsh), which means "to hasten" or "to make haste." The semantic range of H5790 thus encompasses the idea of promptness, swiftness, and timeliness. Specifically, it can imply:
1. **Haste/Promptness:** Acting quickly or diligently.
2. **Succor/Aid:** Providing swift assistance or help.
3. **Speaking in Season:** Uttering words that are timely, appropriate, and well-considered. This aspect is particularly significant given its sole biblical occurrence. The underlying notion is a diligent, timely action, whether in providing help or in the careful management of speech.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole occurrence of H5790 is found in [[Psalm 141:3]]:
"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Here, H5790 is translated as "keep watch" (ESV, NASB, NIV) or "keep" (KJV) in relation to the "door of my lips." The psalmist, David, is offering a prayer for divine assistance in controlling his speech, particularly in a time of distress or temptation.
The translation "keep watch" or "guard" aligns with the contextual need for vigilance over one's words. How does this relate to the Strong's definition of "to hasten, succor, speak in season"?
* If understood as "to hasten," it could imply a fervent and diligent "hastening to guard" the mouth, signifying a proactive and watchful defense against sinful speech.
* More directly, the meaning "speak in season" fits profoundly. The prayer is not merely for silence, but for the right kind of speech – speech that is timely, wise, and honoring to God, rather than hasty, foolish, or slanderous. The "door of my lips" is to be kept in such a way that only words "in season" pass through. Thus, the divine "keeping" or "watching" ensures the appropriateness and holiness of the spoken word. The psalmist recognizes his own inability to perfectly control his tongue and seeks God's active, timely intervention to manage his words.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word identified by Strong's is `{{H5789}}` (ʻûsh), meaning "to hasten" or "to make haste." This connection suggests that H5790 might be a specific application or a rare variant of this more common root, emphasizing the *promptness* or *timeliness* of an action. While sharing similar letters with `{{H5791}}` (ʻāwath, "to bend, twist, pervert"), the Strong's definition explicitly links H5790 to the concept of speed and timeliness, not perversion.
Conceptually, H5790 in its context relates to:
* **Guarding the Tongue:** A recurring biblical theme emphasizing the power and danger of speech ([[Proverbs 21:23]], [[James 1:26]]).
* **Self-Control:** The discipline required to manage one's words, often presented as a spiritual fruit or a mark of wisdom.
* **Divine Assistance:** The recognition that true control over one's deepest impulses, including speech, ultimately requires God's intervention and grace.
* **Wisdom in Speech:** The call to speak words that build up, are appropriate for the moment, and reflect godly character ([[Proverbs 15:23]], [[Ecclesiastes 3:7]]).
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of H5790 in [[Psalm 141:3]] carries profound theological weight. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the sanctity and power of human speech. The psalmist's prayer is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the human propensity to sin with the tongue and the desperate need for divine help in controlling it.
The request to "set a guard... keep watch" over the mouth, understood through H5790 as "speaking in season" or "diligently guarding," highlights:
1. **The Gravity of Speech:** The Bible consistently teaches that words have immense power, capable of blessing or cursing, building up or tearing down ([[Proverbs 18:21]]).
2. **Human Frailty:** The psalmist's plea reveals a deep awareness of his own weakness and the difficulty of maintaining perfect control over his words, especially under duress.
3. **Divine Sovereignty and Grace:** The prayer is directed to Yahweh, recognizing that true sanctification of speech is not merely an act of human willpower but a divine work of grace. God is implored to actively intervene and ensure that the psalmist's words are always timely, righteous, and pleasing in His sight.
4. **The Pursuit of Holiness:** Righteous speech is presented as an integral part of a life devoted to God. The prayer for a guarded mouth is a prayer for a holy life, reflecting an inner transformation that manifests outwardly in words.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5790 (ʻûwth), though appearing only once in the biblical text, carries a rich semantic potential rooted in the idea of "hastening" or "timeliness," specifically "speaking in season" or "succoring." In its sole occurrence in [[Psalm 141:3]], it is translated as "keep watch" or "guard" over the lips. This translation is best understood as a prayer for God's diligent and timely intervention to ensure that the psalmist's words are always appropriate, wise, and holy. The theological significance of H5790 in this context lies in its profound articulation of human dependence on God for the sanctification of speech, recognizing the immense power of the tongue and the essential role of divine grace in governing our words for His glory.
TRV