### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **rôʻâh**, represented by `{{H7465}}`, means **breakage** or **broken, utterly**. It is a rare term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible. Its singular use provides a potent and memorable image of failure and unreliability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H7465}}` is in [[Proverbs 25:19]], which uses the word in a powerful simile. The verse states, "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a **broken** tooth, and a foot out of joint." Here, **rôʻâh** describes a tooth that has failed in its function and become a source of pain. The imagery powerfully illustrates the consequence of placing trust in someone who is treacherous, showing that such confidence will not only fail when tested but will also cause active harm and distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in the verse clarify the meaning and impact of `{{H7465}}`:
* `{{H4009}}` **mibṭâch** (confidence, hope, sure, trust): This word describes the assurance or reliance that is being misplaced. The proverb warns that this type of confidence, when put in an untrustworthy person, becomes as useless as a broken tooth.
* `{{H898}}` **bâgad** (unfaithful... treacherous... man): This term defines the character of the person in whom trust is misplaced. To "deal treacherously" is to act covertly and prove unfaithful, which is the direct cause of the painful failure.
* `{{H6869}}` **tsârâh** (trouble; adversity, anguish, distress): This word establishes the context in which the unfaithful person's unreliability is revealed. It is precisely in times of trouble, when support is most needed, that the misplaced confidence fails.
* `{{H4154}}` **mûwʻedeth** (out of joint): This term is used in a parallel simile within the same verse ("a foot out of joint"), reinforcing the theme of painful and debilitating failure that is central to the meaning of **rôʻâh**.
### Theological Significance
The lesson conveyed through `{{H7465}}` carries significant practical weight. It illustrates key principles about wisdom and relationships.
* **The Pain of Misplaced Trust:** The primary concept is that relying on the unfaithful is not a neutral act; it is harmful. The visceral image of a **broken** tooth [[Proverbs 25:19]] emphasizes that such trust leads to pain, not just disappointment.
* **A Warning Against Treachery:** The proverb serves as a stark warning about associating with and depending on those characterized by treachery `{{H898}}`. It advises discernment in choosing where to place one's confidence.
* **The True Source of Confidence:** By highlighting the failure of human confidence, the verse implicitly points toward the need for a reliable foundation. The dossier shows that **mibṭâch** `{{H4009}}`, or trust, is properly placed in the LORD, who is described as a source of hope and a refuge ([[Jeremiah 17:7]], [[Psalms 14:26]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7465}}` **rôʻâh** encapsulates the concept of painful, debilitating failure. Though used only once, its appearance in [[Proverbs 25:19]] offers a timeless and vivid warning. By likening confidence in an unfaithful person to a **broken** tooth, the scripture teaches a crucial lesson about the perilous nature of misplaced trust and the wisdom required to find a truly secure foundation.
TRV