### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma רֹק (rôq, `{{H7536}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb רָקַק (rāqaq, `{{H7537}}`), meaning "to spit." Consequently, רֹק denotes "spittle" or "saliva," the fluid expelled from the mouth. Its semantic range is quite narrow and literal, referring exclusively to this bodily fluid and, by extension, the act of expelling it. It does not carry broader metaphorical meanings in its direct usage but rather signifies a specific physical action with profound social implications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word רֹק (rôq, `{{H7536}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, yet each occurrence carries significant weight due to its context.
* **[[Job 30:10]]**: "They abhor me, they stand aloof from me; they do not refrain from spitting in my face." In this lament, Job describes the utter contempt and degradation he experiences from those who once held him in high esteem. The phrase "spitting in my face" (וּמִפָּנַי לֹא חָשְׂכוּ רֹק) is a powerful expression of profound disrespect, public humiliation, and complete rejection. It signifies the lowest possible estimation of a person, an act designed to demean and strip away dignity.
* **[[Isaiah 50:6]]**: "I gave my back to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and רֹק." This verse is a pivotal part of the third Servant Song, a prophetic passage describing the suffering of the Lord's Servant. The mention of רֹק (spittle) here is paralleled with other forms of physical abuse (striking, plucking the beard) and profound humiliation. It underscores the Servant's willingness to endure ultimate scorn and physical indignity for the sake of God's redemptive plan. This passage finds its ultimate fulfillment in the passion of Jesus Christ, who indeed suffered such humiliation, including being spat upon by His accusers and tormentors ([[Matthew 26:67]], [[Matthew 27:30]], [[Mark 14:65]], [[Mark 15:19]], [[Luke 18:32]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to רֹק (rôq, `{{H7536}}`) is its verbal root, רָקַק (rāqaq, `{{H7537}}`), meaning "to spit." While רָקַק describes the action, רֹק refers to the substance.
In the New Testament, the Greek equivalents for "spit" or "spittle" include πτύω (ptyō, `{{G4429}}`) for the verb and πτύσμα (ptysma, `{{G4430}}`) for the noun. The fulfillment of the prophecy in [[Isaiah 50:6]] through the suffering of Christ highlights the continuity of this act as a symbol of contempt across biblical testaments.
The act of spitting, whether in the Old or New Testament, is consistently associated with:
* **Contempt and Scorn:** It is a visceral, non-verbal expression of extreme disdain, abhorrence, and disgust.
* **Humiliation and Disgrace:** Its primary purpose is to demean, shame, and publicly degrade the recipient.
* **Vulnerability:** To be spat upon implies a position of powerlessness and inability to defend oneself from such an ignominious act.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of רֹק (rôq, `{{H7536}}`) does not reside in the substance itself, but rather in the profound act of humiliation and contempt it represents when directed at an individual.
In the book of Job, the reference to רֹק in [[Job 30:10]] vividly illustrates the depths of Job's suffering and the complete reversal of his social standing. It underscores the arbitrary cruelty and profound indignity that can be inflicted upon the righteous, challenging conventional understandings of divine justice and human suffering.
More profoundly, in [[Isaiah 50:6]], the inclusion of רֹק is a critical element in the prophetic portrayal of the suffering Servant of the Lord. It foreshadows the ultimate humiliation of the Messiah, who willingly endures the utmost scorn, physical abuse, and public degradation from humanity in order to accomplish salvation. This act of spitting, alongside other abuses, demonstrates the Servant's absolute submission to God's will and His identification with the lowest state of human suffering. It speaks powerfully to the immense cost of redemption and the boundless love of God expressed through the Servant's self-abasement. The Servant's willingness to "hide not his face from disgrace and רֹק" signifies a divine resolve to endure all human indignity for the sake of covenant faithfulness and the atonement of sins, highlighting the voluntary nature of His sacrifice.
### Summary
The Hebrew word רֹק (rôq, `{{H7536}}`) literally means "spittle" or "saliva," derived from the verb "to spit" (`{{H7537}}`). Despite its rare appearance—only twice in the Old Testament—its usage is profoundly impactful. In [[Job 30:10]], it powerfully conveys the extreme contempt and degradation experienced by Job. More significantly, in [[Isaiah 50:6]], רֹק is a key component of the prophetic description of the suffering Servant of the Lord, who willingly endures ultimate humiliation, including being spat upon, as a crucial aspect of His redemptive mission. Thus, רֹק serves as a stark and visceral symbol of profound scorn, public disgrace, and self-abasement, prophetically foretelling the depths of the Messiah's suffering for the salvation of humanity.
TRV