a primitive root; to yoke up (to the pole of a vehicle); bind.
Transliteration:râtham
Pronunciation:raw-tham'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H7573}}`, *râtham*, is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of "to yoke up" or "to bind." Its primary semantic range is rooted in the literal act of attaching an animal, particularly a horse or other draft animal, to the pole of a vehicle, such as a chariot. This implies a forceful, yet purposeful, fastening or harnessing. Beyond this specific application, it can extend to the more general concept of "binding" or "fastening" something securely, indicating a state of being firmly attached or constrained. The term conveys a sense of direct action in preparation for movement or, conversely, a state of being held fast.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb `{{H7573}}` appears only twice in the Masoretic Text, making each occurrence particularly significant for understanding its nuance.
1. **[[Micah 1:13]]**: "Bind the chariot to the swift steeds, O inhabitant of Lachish! She was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel."
* In this prophetic lament concerning the impending judgment on Judah, the command to "bind" (רָתַם, *râtham*) the chariot to the swift steeds is an urgent call for flight and escape. Lachish, a fortified city, is urged to prepare for rapid departure as the Assyrian army approaches. Here, *râtham* signifies the swift and desperate act of harnessing animals for immediate, life-saving movement, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the impending divine judgment. The act of yoking is for the purpose of flight from calamity.
2. **[[Jeremiah 46:21]]**: "Also her hired soldiers in her midst are like fatted calves; for they too have turned back and fled together; they did not stand, for the day of their calamity had come upon them, the time of their punishment. Her hired soldiers in her midst are like fatted calves; they are bound for the slaughter."
* This passage, part of a prophecy against Egypt, employs `{{H7573}}` in the Niphal participle (*rĕthumîm*), indicating a passive state: "they are bound" or "they are yoked." The imagery is stark: Egypt's hired soldiers, likened to "fatted calves," are described as being "bound for the slaughter." Unlike the active yoking for escape in Micah, here the binding signifies an inescapable destiny of destruction. They are not preparing for flight, but are themselves prepared for sacrifice, highlighting their utter helplessness and the inevitability of their doom at the hand of divine judgment. This usage powerfully conveys a state of being inescapably destined for destruction, much like an animal led to the altar.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of "binding" or "yoking" is expressed through various Hebrew terms, each with distinct nuances. While `{{H7573}}` specifically relates to harnessing animals to a vehicle, other words convey broader or different aspects of constraint and connection:
* `{{H631}}` (*ʾāsar*): A very common verb meaning "to bind," "to tie," "to imprison." It is used for binding prisoners, binding sheaves, or binding oneself by an oath. It denotes a more general act of restriction or fastening.
* `{{H6696}}` (*tsāmad*): Means "to join," "to bind together," "to yoke together." This term often implies a close association or partnership, as in yoking two animals together for work, or people joining forces.
* `{{H5923}}` (*ʿōl*): The noun for "yoke," which can refer to the literal wooden bar placed on an animal's neck or metaphorically to a burden, servitude, or oppressive rule. The act of *râtham* would typically involve the *ʿōl*.
* `{{H648}}` (*ʾāsūr*): A noun meaning "bond," "fetter," or "prison," derived from `{{H631}}`.
* The semantic field of "binding" often connects to concepts of control, destiny, freedom, and servitude, which are all implicitly or explicitly touched upon by `{{H7573}}` in its rare appearances.
### Theological Significance
The limited but potent occurrences of `{{H7573}}` offer profound theological insights, primarily concerning divine judgment and human response.
In [[Micah 1:13]], the command to "bind the chariot" underscores the imminence and severity of God's judgment, which compels even the most fortified cities to desperate flight. It highlights the futility of human strength and defenses against the divine decree. The act of yoking here becomes a symbol of urgent, perhaps frantic, preparation in the face of overwhelming divine wrath.
In [[Jeremiah 46:21]], the passive "bound for the slaughter" is a powerful metaphor for the inescapable nature of God's judgment on nations. The imagery of fatted calves, prepared for sacrifice, illustrates the utter helplessness and predetermined doom of those who stand against God's purposes. It speaks to the sovereignty of God over the destiny of nations and the consequences of their rebellion. The word thus encapsulates the dual aspects of binding: a desperate attempt at escape in one context, and an irreversible commitment to destruction in another. It reveals God's active involvement in human history, orchestrating events that lead either to flight from judgment or to being delivered over to it.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H7573}}`, *râtham*, meaning "to yoke up" or "to bind," is a rare but highly impactful term in the Old Testament. Its two occurrences present a striking contrast, yet both underscore the theme of divine judgment. In [[Micah 1:13]], it signifies the urgent and desperate act of harnessing for flight and escape from impending calamity. Conversely, in [[Jeremiah 46:21]], it describes a state of being passively "bound for the slaughter," powerfully conveying the inescapable and predetermined doom of those under divine judgment. Thus, *râtham* contributes to a vivid theological vocabulary, illustrating the varied manifestations of God's sovereign action in human affairs, whether compelling frantic evasion or sealing an irreversible fate.
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