a primitive root; to slaver (with spittle), i.e. (by analogy) to emit afluid (ulcerous or natural); run.
Transliteration:rûwr
Pronunciation:roor
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H7325}}` (רוּר, *rûwr*) is a primitive verb whose core meaning denotes the emission or flowing of a fluid. Its primary sense is "to slaver" or "to drool," specifically referring to the uncontrolled discharge of saliva. By analogical extension, the semantic range can encompass the emission of other bodily fluids, whether natural secretions or pathological discharges such as pus from an ulcer. The underlying concept is that of a fluid "running down" or being involuntarily expelled. It carries a strong connotation of an uncontrolled or undignified bodily function.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H7325}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly poignant and significant for understanding its usage:
* **[[1 Samuel 21:13]] (MT 21:14):** "And he changed his behavior before them and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle *run down* upon his beard."
In this solitary instance, the verb is used in the Hiphil stem (וַיְרַיֵּל, *wayyərayyēl*), indicating a causative action: David *caused* his spittle to run down, or *let* it run down. The context is crucial: David, fleeing from Saul, seeks refuge with Achish, the king of Gath. Realizing the danger of his situation (as the slayer of Goliath), David feigns madness to escape. His actions—scratching on doors and allowing saliva to dribble onto his beard—were recognized signs of insanity in ancient Near Eastern culture. This deliberate act of self-abasement and loss of control was a desperate but effective strategy for survival. The use of `{{H7325}}` here vividly portrays the extreme measures David took, highlighting the physical manifestation of his feigned mental derangement.
### Related Words & Concepts
Given its singular occurrence, direct lexical parallels for `{{H7325}}` are limited. However, it relates to several broader concepts:
* **Bodily Fluids and Secretions:** The word inherently connects to the various discharges of the human body, whether natural (saliva, tears) or pathological (pus, blood). This places it within a semantic field related to physical functions and, at times, uncleanness or illness in a cultic or social sense.
* **Madness and Derangement:** The context of [[1 Samuel 21:13]] directly links `{{H7325}}` to the outward signs of insanity. Uncontrolled drooling was a clear indicator of a loss of mental faculty and self-control. This concept is distinct from other forms of mental distress or prophetic ecstasy, focusing specifically on a perceived lack of reason.
* **Humiliation and Degradation:** David's act was one of deliberate self-abasement, stripping himself of dignity to appear harmless or contemptible. The act of letting spittle run down one's beard was a profound gesture of degradation, underscoring vulnerability and desperation.
* **Movement and Flow:** While distinct from verbs of general movement (e.g., `{{H7323}}`, *rûts*, "to run"), `{{H7325}}` shares the semantic element of "flowing" or "running" in the specific context of fluid discharge.
### Theological Significance
The single biblical occurrence of `{{H7325}}` in the narrative of David's flight offers several theological insights:
* **Divine Providence Amidst Human Desperation:** The episode in Gath, where David resorts to such a humiliating act, underscores the depth of his desperation. Yet, it is precisely through this undignified means that God preserves His anointed one. The narrative implicitly affirms God's providential care for David, even when David's own actions appear ignoble or unheroic. It reminds us that God's plans are often accomplished through human weakness and unconventional means.
* **The Vulnerability of the Anointed:** David, the future king of Israel and a type of the Messiah, is shown in a state of extreme vulnerability and humiliation. This foreshadows the ultimate humiliation of the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, who willingly endured shame, spitting, and physical degradation (e.g., [[Mark 14:65]], [[Mark 15:19]]) for the salvation of humanity. The image of David allowing spittle to run down his beard resonates with the New Testament accounts of Christ's suffering, highlighting a divine willingness to embrace the lowest human state for redemptive purposes.
* **The Paradox of Strength in Weakness:** David's feigned madness, an act of profound weakness and loss of control, paradoxically becomes his means of escape and survival. This aligns with biblical themes where God's strength is made perfect in human weakness ([[2 Corinthians 12:9]]), and where humility and self-abasement can lead to exaltation.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H7325}}` (רוּר, *rûwr*) signifies "to slaver" or "to emit fluid," particularly in an uncontrolled manner. Its sole biblical appearance in [[1 Samuel 21:13]] vividly describes David's desperate act of feigning madness by letting spittle run down his beard, a universally recognized sign of derangement and degradation. This singular usage underscores themes of human vulnerability, the extremity of desperation, and the paradoxical nature of divine providence working through seemingly undignified means to preserve His chosen servants. The word thus serves as a powerful descriptor of physical manifestation tied to mental state and social humiliation, pointing ultimately to God's sovereign care even in the most abject circumstances.
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