the same as רִצְפָּה; Ritspah, an Israelitess; Rizpah.
Transliteration:Ritspâh
Pronunciation:rits-paw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma רִצְפָּה (Ritspâh), Strong's number `{{H7532}}`, is a proper noun, functioning exclusively as the name of an Israelite woman. While the etymology of the name is debated, possibly deriving from a root meaning "hot stone," "pavement," or "coal," its primary semantic function in the biblical text is to identify a specific individual: Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah and one of King Saul's concubines. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to this unique person and the historical narrative in which she is situated.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Rizpah is mentioned in two key passages in the book of 2 Samuel. Her first appearance is in [[2 Samuel 3:7]], where Abner, Saul's former commander, is accused by Ish-bosheth (Saul's son and nominal king) of having gone in to Rizpah. This accusation, touching upon the sensitive issue of royal concubines and succession, deeply offends Abner and is a catalyst for his decision to defect to David's side, thereby weakening Saul's house.
Her most poignant and significant role is found in [[2 Samuel 21:8-14]]. This passage describes a severe three-year famine in Israel, which David ascertains is due to Saul's violation of the covenant with the Gibeonites (cf. [[Joshua 9:3-27]]) by attempting to annihilate them. To atone for this sin, the Gibeonites demand the execution of seven descendants of Saul. Among those handed over are Armoni and Mephibosheth, Rizpah's two sons by Saul. After their execution and exposure on a hill during the barley harvest, Rizpah undertakes an extraordinary act of devotion and lament. She spreads sackcloth on a rock and keeps a solitary vigil over the bodies of her sons and the other executed men, preventing birds of prey from devouring them by day and wild animals by night. This vigil endures for an extended period, "from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them from the heavens"—that is, until the end of the dry season when rain finally came, signaling the end of the famine and God's appeasement. Her unwavering faithfulness and profound grief are reported to King David, who is deeply moved. In response, David gathers the bones of Saul and Jonathan, along with the bones of the seven executed men, and provides them all with a proper burial in the tomb of Kish, Saul's father, in Zela. This act of proper burial is explicitly stated to have brought an end to the famine, indicating divine favor.
### Related Words & Concepts
Rizpah's narrative is intertwined with several significant biblical concepts and figures:
* **Saul's House and Dynasty:** Her identity as Saul's concubine directly links her to the waning fortunes of Saul's royal line (`{{H7586}}`). Her sons are victims of the consequences of Saul's actions.
* **Covenant (בְּרִית - berît):** The famine and the executions are a direct result of Saul's breaking of the covenant with the Gibeonites (`{{H1285}}`). Rizpah's vigil ultimately facilitates the restoration of right relationship.
* **Famine (רָעָב - ra'av):** The three-year famine (`{{H7458}}`) provides the dire context for her sons' execution and her subsequent vigil, which is instrumental in its resolution.
* **Justice and Atonement (כָּפַר - kaphar):** The Gibeonites' demand for retribution and the subsequent executions are presented as a means of seeking justice and atonement for Saul's sin.
* **Mourning and Lament (אֵבֶל - evel):** Rizpah's vigil is a powerful, non-verbal expression of profound grief (`{{H0057}}`) and lament, demonstrating an unyielding love for her dead children and a refusal to let them be dishonored.
* **Burial (קָבַר - qavar):** Her actions highlight the critical importance of proper burial (`{{H6912}}`) in ancient Israelite culture, which was seen as essential for the dignity of the deceased and the peace of the living. Her vigil ensures that the bodies are preserved until a proper burial can occur.
* **Loyalty and Devotion:** Rizpah exemplifies unwavering loyalty not only to her sons but also, by extension, to the memory of Saul's house, in stark contrast to the political maneuvering of others.
### Theological Significance
Rizpah's story, though brief, carries profound theological weight:
* **Divine Justice and Human Suffering:** Her ordeal underscores the severe consequences of covenant breaking and the reality of divine judgment (manifested in the famine). Yet, it also reveals God's responsiveness to human acts of righteousness and devotion, even amidst suffering.
* **The Power of Lament and Intercession:** Rizpah's silent, persistent vigil is a powerful act of lament that transcends mere grief; it functions as a form of intercession, drawing attention to the injustice and the dishonor of the dead. Her unwavering presence, though not explicitly prayer, implicitly appeals to God and moves the king, ultimately leading to divine intervention (the rain) and the resolution of the famine.
* **Dignity of the Human Body:** Her steadfast protection of the bodies from desecration highlights the deep biblical respect for the human body, even in death. This reverence for the deceased reflects a theological understanding of human dignity, created in the image of God.
* **Fidelity in Adversity:** Rizpah stands as a testament to profound fidelity and courage in the face of unimaginable loss and public shame. Her actions are a demonstration of unwavering love that transcends even death, reflecting a deep-seated value within the covenant community.
* **God's Providence and Restoration:** The narrative concludes with the rain and the end of the famine, signifying God's ultimate control over creation and His willingness to restore blessing in response to acts of faithfulness and the proper rectification of past wrongs.
### Summary
Rizpah, the concubine of King Saul (`{{H7532}}`), is a figure of immense sorrow and unwavering devotion in the biblical narrative. First mentioned in the context of political intrigue following Saul's death ([[2 Samuel 3:7]]), her most significant role is her extraordinary vigil over the executed bodies of her two sons and five other descendants of Saul ([[2 Samuel 21:8-14]]). This act, undertaken to prevent desecration and lasting "from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them from the heavens," was a powerful, public display of profound grief and loyalty. Her unwavering commitment to honor the dead, even in the face of immense personal loss and public shame, deeply moved King David, leading him to provide proper burial for all of Saul's deceased family and ultimately bringing an end to a severe famine. Rizpah's story stands as a poignant testament to the power of lament, the importance of human dignity in death, and God's responsiveness to acts of persistent faithfulness and righteousness.
TRV