a primitive root; to be destitute; lack, needy, (make self) poor (man).
Transliteration:rûwsh
Pronunciation:roosh
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root H7326 (רוּשׁ, rûwsh) is a primitive verb primarily signifying the state of being destitute, impoverished, or lacking. Its core meaning conveys a condition of material want, often extending to a broader sense of need or deficiency. It describes not merely a low economic standing, but an active experience of poverty, implying a lack of essential resources for sustenance or well-being. While it can denote an objective state of poverty, in certain contexts it also carries the nuance of becoming poor or making oneself poor, often as a consequence of specific actions or inactions.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Though not exceedingly frequent, the occurrences of H7326 provide significant insight into its usage:
* **Divine Sovereignty:** A foundational theological statement is found in [[1 Samuel 2:7]]: "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up." Here, rûwsh explicitly attributes the state of poverty to divine agency, alongside wealth, highlighting God's ultimate control over human fortunes. This verse underscores a profound truth about divine providence.
* **Consequences of Behavior:** The book of Proverbs frequently employs H7326 to illustrate the consequences of human choices:
* [[Proverbs 10:4]]: "He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich." This verse directly links idleness to the state of rûwsh.
* [[Proverbs 13:18]]: "Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains instruction, but he who regards reproof will be honored." Here, rûwsh is a result of rejecting wisdom and instruction.
* [[Proverbs 23:21]]: "For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags." Specific vices are presented as direct paths to destitution.
* [[Proverbs 24:34]]: "So your poverty will come like a robber, and your need like an armed man." This vivid imagery emphasizes the sudden, unavoidable, and devastating nature of poverty resulting from neglect.
* **National Destitution:** In [[Judges 6:6]], rûwsh describes the collective impoverishment of the nation of Israel: "So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord." This usage portrays a state of national economic oppression and deprivation.
### Related Words & Concepts
H7326 is part of a semantic field of words relating to poverty and need in the Hebrew Bible, each with distinct nuances:
* **`{{H6041}}` (ʿānî)**: Often translated as "poor," "afflicted," or "humble." While rûwsh focuses on the *material state* of destitution, ʿānî frequently carries connotations of social oppression, vulnerability, and sometimes spiritual humility, often being the object of God's special care.
* **`{{H358}}` (ʾeḇyôn)**: "Needy," "poor." This term typically refers to those in desperate need, dependent on others, and is often used in contexts emphasizing God's concern and provision for the vulnerable.
* **`{{H4270}}` (misken)**: "Poor," "needy." A word found primarily in Ecclesiastes, often referring to someone in a lowly or disadvantaged position.
* **`{{H2638}}` (ḥāsēr)**: "To lack," "to be wanting." This is a broader term for any deficiency or absence, whereas rûwsh specifically denotes a lack that results in poverty.
* **Antonyms:** H7326 is frequently contrasted with terms signifying wealth, such as `{{H6239}}` (ʿāšar, "to be rich") or `{{H2428}}` (ḥayil, "wealth, strength"). This antithesis is particularly prominent in wisdom literature, highlighting the divergent outcomes of diligence versus idleness.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of H7326 are multifaceted:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Circumstances:** The declaration in [[1 Samuel 2:7]] is paramount, asserting God's ultimate authority over both poverty and prosperity. This challenges any purely human-centric view of economic status, grounding it in the divine will. It implies that even in destitution, God's hand is present, though His purposes may be mysterious.
* **Moral Causality in Wisdom Literature:** Proverbs consistently presents rûwsh as a consequence of specific moral and practical failings: idleness, gluttony, drunkenness, and a rejection of wisdom. This does not suggest that all poverty is a direct result of sin, but it strongly warns against behaviors that reliably lead to destitution, emphasizing human responsibility in maintaining well-being.
* **Call to Compassion:** While H7326 describes the state of being poor, the broader biblical witness (often using terms like `{{H6041}}` and `{{H358}}`) consistently calls God's people to active compassion, justice, and generosity towards those in need. The existence of rûwsh in society is thus a divine summons to righteousness and care for the vulnerable, reflecting God's own character.
* **Spiritual Poverty and Dependence:** Metaphorically, the state of rûwsh can parallel a recognition of spiritual destitution and utter dependence on God's grace and provision. This resonates with themes of humility and reliance on the divine rather than self-sufficiency, a posture often blessed by God.
### Summary
The Hebrew root H7326 (רוּשׁ, rûwsh) signifies the fundamental state of being destitute, poor, or in lack. Its biblical usage reveals a dual perspective: on one hand, [[1 Samuel 2:7]] profoundly asserts God's sovereign control over both wealth and poverty; on the other, wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, frequently links rûwsh to the tangible consequences of human choices, such as idleness, gluttony, and a rejection of wisdom. While rûwsh directly describes the economic condition, it stands in close relation to other terms for poverty (e.g., `{{H6041}}`, `{{H358}}`) which often carry broader connotations of social vulnerability and are central to the biblical call for justice and compassion. Thus, rûwsh prompts reflection on divine providence, human responsibility, and the ethical imperative to care for those in need within the covenant community.
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