a primitive root; to tramp about, i.e. ramble (free or disconsolate); have the dominion, be lord, mourn, rule.
Transliteration:rûwd
Pronunciation:rood
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H7300}}` (רוּד, *rûwd*) is a fascinating primitive root, exhibiting a dual semantic range that, upon deeper reflection, reveals an underlying conceptual unity. At its most basic, it denotes movement, particularly "to tramp about" or "to ramble." This movement can be free and unhindered, suggesting a wide-ranging, unconstrained motion. However, it can also carry the connotation of being "disconsolate," implying a wandering born of distress, aimlessness, or sorrow.
The second, seemingly disparate, meaning extends to concepts of authority and dominion: "to have dominion," "to be lord," or "to rule." This extension can be understood as a natural progression from the idea of ranging freely *over* a territory or *over* a people. One who "tramps about" freely and without restraint might, by extension, be one who exercises unchallenged authority or sovereignty within a given sphere. The range thus moves from unrestrained personal movement to unrestrained exercise of power, with the "disconsolate" aspect representing a particular emotional state within the first range.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Occurrences of `{{H7300}}` illuminate its varied applications:
* **Jeremiah 14:10**: "Thus says the LORD concerning this people: 'They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish their sins.'" Here, `{{H7300}}` is translated as "to wander" or "to roam." The context is one of divine judgment against Judah for their spiritual straying and disobedience. The "wandering" is not a free, innocent exploration but an unrestrained, defiant departure from God's path, indicative of their spiritual unfaithfulness. It aligns with the "disconsolate" aspect in the sense of a people lost and alienated from God, though their wandering is willful.
* **Psalm 55:2**: "Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and moaning..." In the King James Version, `{{H7300}}` is rendered "I mourn" ("I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise"). This usage clearly aligns with the "disconsolate" aspect of the root, expressing deep personal anguish, distress, and a state of being overwhelmed by suffering. The psalmist is describing a profound inner turmoil that manifests as a restless, mournful state.
* **Isaiah 16:8**: "For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vines of Sibmah; the lords of the nations have broken down its choice clusters, which reached to Jazer and wandered to the desert; its shoots spread abroad and passed over the sea." Here, `{{H7300}}` is used in the plural as "lords" or "rulers." This unequivocally demonstrates the "dominion" aspect of the word. These "lords of the nations" are those who exercise power and authority, in this case, destructive power over the land.
* **Nahum 3:18**: "Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; your nobles sleep. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them." Similar to Isaiah 16:8, `{{H7300}}` is translated as "nobles" or "princes." These are the powerful figures within the Assyrian empire, those who hold positions of authority and rule. The context describes the downfall of Nineveh, where these powerful figures are depicted as complacent and ineffective in the face of impending judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The multifaceted nature of `{{H7300}}` allows for comparison with several semantic fields:
* **Wandering/Movement:**
* `{{H5110}}` (nûaʿ): "to waver, wander, stagger." This often implies a restless, aimless, or unstable movement, similar to the "disconsolate" aspect of `{{H7300}}` when describing a state of spiritual or physical unrest.
* `{{H1980}}` (hâlak): "to walk, go." This is a general term for movement. `{{H7300}}` adds the nuance of unrestrained, perhaps even defiant or mournful, wandering, distinguishing it from simple locomotion.
* **Dominion/Rule:**
* `{{H4910}}` (mâshal): "to rule, reign, govern." This is a very common word for exercising authority.
* `{{H7980}}` (shalat): "to rule, have dominion." This often implies a strong, even oppressive, exercise of power.
* `{{H7300}}` (as "lords" or "nobles") might carry a connotation of inherent power or status, perhaps even a more unbridled or arrogant exercise of that power, fitting the idea of "tramping about" without restraint in a position of authority.
* **Mourning/Distress:**
* `{{H56}}` (âbal): "to mourn, lament." This is a primary verb for expressing grief.
* `{{H6035}}` (ânâh): "to be bowed down, afflicted." This describes a state of oppression or suffering.
* `{{H7300}}` in Psalm 55:2, "I mourn," suggests a restless, agitated form of lamentation, perhaps indicating the depth of internal turmoil that prevents stillness or peace.
### Theological Significance
The semantic range of `{{H7300}}` offers profound theological insights. When describing "wandering" (Jeremiah 14:10), it often portrays a people who have strayed from God's covenant and commandments. This unrestrained movement away from divine truth leads to spiritual disconsolation and ultimately, divine judgment. It underscores the biblical theme that true freedom is found in alignment with God's will, while "free" wandering without restraint from God's law leads to spiritual bondage and ruin.
The "mourning" aspect (Psalm 55:2) highlights the reality of human suffering and the deep distress that can afflict the soul. It provides a window into the raw, restless anguish of one crying out to God from a place of profound inner turmoil. This human experience of suffering often serves as a catalyst for seeking divine intervention and solace.
When `{{H7300}}` refers to "lords" or "rulers" (Isaiah 16:8, Nahum 3:18), it speaks to the exercise of human authority. These are figures who "tramp about" with power, often without regard for divine sovereignty. The biblical narrative frequently contrasts such human dominion, which is transient and often oppressive, with the eternal and righteous dominion of Yahweh. The downfall of these "lords" in the prophetic texts serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly power is ultimately subject to God's supreme rule. The word thus encapsulates both the rebellious human tendency to wander from God and the proud human tendency to rule independently of Him, presenting a stark picture of the human condition in its fallen state.
### Summary
`{{H7300}}` (רוּד, *rûwd*) is a rich Hebrew root encompassing both unrestrained movement—whether aimless "wandering" or "disconsolate" "mourning"—and the exercise of "dominion" or "rule." In its usage, it paints a vivid picture of the human condition: a people who defiantly "wander" from God's path, experiencing deep "mourning" in their distress, and powerful "lords" who exercise their own authority, often in opposition to divine will. The word thus serves as a powerful descriptor of human autonomy, whether expressed in spiritual straying or earthly power, both of which stand in contrast to God's ultimate sovereignty and the peace found in His righteous path.
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