from רָסַס; a ruin (as dripping to pieces); Rissah, a place in the Desert; Rissah.
Transliteration:Riççâh
Pronunciation:ris-saw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma רִסָּה (Riççâh), Strong's number `{{H7446}}`, is derived from the root רָסַס (rasas), `{{H7445}}`, which carries the primary meaning of "to moisten," "to sprinkle," or "to drip." From this root, רִסָּה (Riççâh) semantically develops the idea of something that is "dripping to pieces" or "falling apart due to moisture or decay." This leads to its core definition as "a ruin" or a state of dilapidation. However, it is crucial to note that in its biblical occurrences, רִסָּה (Riççâh) functions exclusively as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location. Thus, its "core meaning" primarily informs the potential significance of the place name rather than a direct lexical application within the narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term רִסָּה (Riççâh) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically within the book of Numbers:
* [[Numbers 33:21]]: "They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah."
This sole occurrence places Rissah within the detailed itinerary of the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wanderings, meticulously recorded in Numbers 33. It is listed as one of the many encampments between their departure from Egypt and their arrival at the plains of Moab. As a geographical marker, its primary function is to delineate a specific stage in the divinely orchestrated journey. The surrounding context is a precise historical and geographical record, emphasizing the orderly and directed nature of Israel's movements under God's guidance. The etymological meaning of "ruin" is not explicitly highlighted or elaborated upon in the text, suggesting that for the biblical author, its identity as a place name was paramount.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root from which רִסָּה (Riççâh) is derived: רָסַס (rasas), `{{H7445}}`, meaning "to sprinkle" or "to drip." This etymological connection suggests that the place named Rissah might have been characterized by a landscape that appeared desolate, crumbling, or where water was scarce and merely "dripped." Conceptually, רִסָּה (Riççâh) can be linked to broader themes of the wilderness (מִדְבָּר, `{{H4057}}`), often described as a place of desolation (חָרְבָּה, `{{H2723}}`) or barrenness. While not directly synonymous, other words describing decay or destruction (e.g., חָרַב, `{{H2717}}` "to be desolate") resonate with the underlying meaning of "ruin" inherent in the name. The very act of "journeying" (נָסַע, `{{H5265}}`) and "encamping" (חָנָה, `{{H2583}}`) are also central to the context in which Rissah appears.
### Theological Significance
As a specific location in the wilderness itinerary, the theological significance of רִסָּה (Riççâh) is not primarily found in its etymological meaning of "ruin," but in its inclusion within the divinely guided journey of Israel. The meticulous listing of encampments in Numbers 33 serves as a profound testament to God's faithful presence, oversight, and meticulous planning for His people. Every stop, whether a place of refreshing or a place potentially named for its desolation, was part of God's sovereign design. The name "Rissah," if its etymological sense of "ruin" is considered, could subtly underscore the harsh realities and challenges of the wilderness, a land of decay and difficulty through which God nonetheless sustained and led His people. It highlights divine providence, demonstrating that even amidst seemingly "ruined" or desolate stages of their journey, God's unwavering direction and purpose remained constant, ultimately leading them to the Promised Land.
### Summary
The Hebrew lemma רִסָּה (Riççâh), `{{H7446}}`, derived from the root רָסַס (rasas), etymologically signifies "a ruin" or "something dripping to pieces." Despite this evocative meaning, its sole biblical appearance is as a proper noun, designating a specific encampment in the wilderness itinerary of the Israelites, as recorded in [[Numbers 33:21]]. In this context, Rissah functions as a geographical marker, one of many stops in the divinely orchestrated journey from Egypt to Canaan. Theologically, its significance lies not in its etymological meaning being actively expressed in the narrative, but in its inclusion within the precise record of God's faithful guidance. Rissah, like all the named locations in the wilderness, testifies to God's meticulous care and enduring presence, leading His people through challenging landscapes towards His ultimate promise.
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