The Hebrew word râzâh, represented by H7329, is a primitive root used to mean to emaciate, i.e. make (become) thin (literally or figuratively); famish, wax lean. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet it conveys a powerful concept of diminishing or wasting away as a result of divine action.
The two uses of H7329 highlight its function in the context of divine judgment. In Isaiah, it is used to describe the coming decline of a nation, where "the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean" Isaiah 17:4. This links a loss of national prominence and strength to physical emaciation. In Zephaniah, the word takes on a purely figurative meaning, prophesying that the LORD H3068 "will famish all the gods of the earth" Zephaniah 2:11, effectively starving them of their power and influence until all men worship Him.
Several related words clarify the meaning of reduction and substance associated with H7329:
- H1809 dâlal (be made thin): Used in direct parallel with râzâh in Isaiah 17:4 to describe the diminishing of Jacob's glory. It means to be feeble, impoverished, or brought low Psalms 116:6.
- H4924 mashmân (fatness): As the direct opposite of leanness, this word denotes richness, fertility, and robustness. Its loss is what râzâh describes in the prophecy against Jacob Isaiah 17:4. It can signify blessing and abundance, such as the "fatness of the earth" promised as a blessing Genesis 27:28.
- H1320 bâsâr (flesh): This word for "flesh" or "body" is the substance that is affected by waxing lean Isaiah 17:4. It can represent humanity or a person, as in the warning not to make "flesh his arm" Jeremiah 17:5.
The theological weight of H7329 is concentrated in its depiction of divine sovereignty.
- God's Supremacy over False Gods: The most striking use of the word is in God's action to "famish" all other gods H430 of the earth H776. This demonstrates that any power attributed to idols or foreign deities is ultimately dependent and can be nullified by the one true LORD H3068, leading to His universal worship Zephaniah 2:11.
- Judgment as Diminishment: In Isaiah, the word illustrates that divine judgment can manifest as a hollowing out of a nation's glory H3519 and strength. The "fatness" of Jacob H3290 waxing lean signifies a reduction from a state of blessing and substance to one of weakness and insignificance Isaiah 17:4.
- The Transience of Human Strength: By connecting the loss of glory with the body wasting away, the term underscores that human and national strength are not self-sustaining. Just as the LORD gives fatness Genesis 27:28, He can also cause it to "wax lean" Isaiah 17:4.
In summary, H7329 is a concise but potent term for emaciation and famishing. Though appearing only twice, it is used exclusively in prophetic contexts to describe the absolute power of God. It illustrates divine judgment not as an external attack, but as an internal wasting away, whether it is the glory of a nation or the perceived power of false gods. Ultimately, râzâh shows that all substance, strength, and glory find their source in the LORD, who alone can sustain or diminish them.
TRV