from רוּר; saliva; by resemblance, broth; spittle, white (of an egg).
Transliteration:rîyr
Pronunciation:reer
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word רִיר (rîyr, `{{H7388}}`) is derived from the root רוּר (rûr), which conveys the sense of flowing, dripping, or slavering. At its core, רִיר refers to "saliva" or "spittle," a bodily fluid. By extension, and based on a resemblance in consistency or state, its semantic range expands to include other viscous or flowing substances. This includes "broth" or liquid, and specifically, the "white of an egg," which is a clear, viscous fluid. The unifying concept across these meanings is a fluid that drips, flows, or has a somewhat viscous quality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term רִיר (rîyr, `{{H7388}}`) appears only two times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance carries significant contextual weight:
* **[[1 Samuel 21:13]] (English 21:14):** "And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard."
* In this dramatic narrative, David is fleeing from King Saul and seeks refuge with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. Recognizing the danger of his situation (being identified as the slayer of Goliath), David resorts to a desperate act of self-preservation: feigning madness. The detail that he "let his spittle fall down upon his beard" (וַיּוֹרֶד רִירוֹ עַל־זְקָנוֹ) is a crucial and vivid description of this feigned insanity. Excessive drooling or allowing saliva to drip is a common and unmistakable sign of mental derangement or severe illness, intended to disgust and deter. This act successfully convinces Achish and his servants that David is harmlessly insane, leading to his expulsion rather than execution. The use of רִיר here underscores David's extreme vulnerability and the lengths to which he went for survival, a moment critical for the unfolding of God's plan for him as future king.
* **[[Job 6:6]]:** "Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"
* Here, רִיר appears in Job's lament, where he questions the value of his friends' empty words of comfort. The phrase "רִיר חַלָּמוּת" (rîyr ḥallāmût) is notoriously difficult to translate. While the KJV renders it "white of an egg," other interpretations include "slime of mallow" or "juice of purslane." Regardless of the precise botanical or culinary identification, the essential meaning conveyed by רִיר in this context is something bland, tasteless, and insipid. Job uses this rhetorical question to emphasize the utter lack of flavor or substance in the "comfort" offered by his friends, likening it to something utterly unappetizing and worthless. It reflects his deep despair and the perceived inadequacy of human wisdom in the face of profound suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root רוּר (rûr):** The verbal root from which רִיר is derived, meaning "to flow," "to drip," or "to slaver." This inherent meaning of fluid motion is foundational to רִיר.
* **Bodily Excretions:** רִיר falls into the category of words describing bodily fluids. In ancient Near Eastern cultures and the biblical world, such fluids could be associated with health, disease, ritual purity, or social status. David's deliberate display of רִיר in [[1 Samuel 21:13]] clearly marks him as socially unacceptable and possibly ritually defiled, serving his purpose of appearing mad.
* **Feigned Madness:** The instance in [[1 Samuel 21:13]] directly links רִיר to the concept of feigning insanity as a survival mechanism. This is a unique and powerful application of the word, demonstrating how a simple physical manifestation can convey a profound state.
* **Insipidness/Worthlessness:** In [[Job 6:6]], the use of רִיר highlights the concept of something being bland, tasteless, or utterly without value. This metaphorical usage extends the word's meaning beyond its literal physical referent to describe abstract qualities.
* **Desperation and Resourcefulness:** In David's case, the act involving רִיר is a testament to human desperation and resourcefulness in dire circumstances.
### Theological Significance
The limited but potent occurrences of רִיר (rîyr, `{{H7388}}`) offer several theological insights:
* **Divine Providence Amidst Human Frailty:** In [[1 Samuel 21:13]], David's act of allowing רִיר to fall upon his beard is a deeply undignified and vulnerable display. Yet, it is precisely through this seemingly base and desperate human act that God's providence is manifested. David's survival in Gath is crucial for his eventual kingship, demonstrating that God works through even the most unconventional and humiliating human means to accomplish His divine purposes. It underscores that God's plan is not contingent on human dignity or perfection, but can be advanced through weakness and perceived foolishness.
* **The Nature of Suffering and True Comfort:** The use of רִיר in [[Job 6:6]] speaks directly to the theological problem of suffering and the inadequacy of human comfort. Job's rhetorical question about tasteless רִיר highlights the emptiness and lack of empathy in his friends' advice. Theologically, this challenges believers to offer genuine, Spirit-led comfort to those in pain, rather than platitudes or superficial wisdom that is as "tasteless" as רִיר without salt. It underscores the profound spiritual and emotional needs of those who suffer and the divine requirement for compassionate, discerning ministry.
* **Humanity's Physicality and Vulnerability:** The word רִיר reminds us of the raw, physical reality of human existence, including our vulnerabilities, bodily functions, and susceptibility to illness or perceived mental states. The Bible does not shy away from depicting these realities, often using them to convey deeper spiritual truths about humanity's dependence on God and the ways in which God interacts with the physical world.
### Summary
The Hebrew word רִיר (rîyr, `{{H7388}}`) originates from a root signifying flowing or dripping, primarily denoting "saliva" or "spittle." Its semantic range extends to other viscous liquids, such as "broth" or the "white of an egg." Despite appearing only twice in the Old Testament, each occurrence is profoundly significant. In [[1 Samuel 21:13]], רִיר graphically depicts David's feigned madness, where spittle falling upon his beard becomes a desperate, yet divinely instrumental, act of self-preservation, highlighting God's providence working through human vulnerability. In [[Job 6:6]], רִיר is used metaphorically to describe something tasteless or insipid, underscoring Job's lament over the emptiness of his friends' comfort and the inadequacy of human wisdom in the face of profound suffering. Theologically, רִיר speaks to themes of divine sovereignty in desperate human circumstances, the nature of genuine empathy, and the raw physicality of the human condition. Its limited but impactful appearances contribute powerfully to the biblical narrative.
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