or רֹתֶם; from רָתַם; the Spanish broom (from its pole-like stems); juniper (tree).
Transliteration:rethem
Pronunciation:reh'-them
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word rethem (רֶתֶם, also spelled rothem רֹתֶם) `{{H7574}}` refers to the broom tree, specifically identified as *Retama raetam* or *Genista raetam*, a common shrub in the deserts of the Middle East. Its etymological root, ratam (רָתַם) `{{H7573}}`, means "to bind" or "to harness," possibly alluding to the plant's strong, pliant branches or its use in binding. While older translations sometimes rendered it as "juniper," modern botanical and linguistic scholarship overwhelmingly confirms "broom tree" or "broom bush" as the accurate identification. This plant is characterized by its long, slender, often leafless branches, white flowers, and deep root system, which allows it to survive in arid environments. Its semantic range is narrow, consistently denoting this specific desert flora.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term rethem appears in three significant biblical contexts, each revealing a distinct facet of its symbolic or practical significance:
* **[[1 Kings 19:4]]**: This is the most prominent occurrence, found in the narrative of the prophet Elijah. Fleeing from Jezebel, Elijah travels a day's journey into the wilderness and, in a state of profound despair, sits down under a broom tree, praying for death. The broom tree, providing the only shade in the desolate landscape, underscores Elijah's isolation, exhaustion, and the depth of his spiritual crisis. It serves as a solitary refuge in a barren land, a place where divine intervention (an angel providing food and water) subsequently takes place, signifying God's compassionate care for His weary servant.
* **[[Job 30:4]]**: In the lament of Job, rethem is mentioned as a desperate source of food for the outcast and destitute. Job describes those who "gather salt-wort by the bushes, and broom roots for their food." This imagery vividly portrays extreme poverty and degradation, highlighting that the roots of the broom tree, bitter and unpalatable, were consumed only out of dire necessity. It underscores the depths of human suffering and the loss of dignity experienced by those at the fringes of society.
* **[[Psalm 120:4]]**: Here, the broom tree is referenced for its wood's property as fuel: "Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of broom." The wood of the broom tree is known to produce exceptionally hot and long-lasting coals. In this context, the "coals of broom" serve as a powerful metaphor for intense, enduring judgment or destructive power, often understood as a fitting recompense for the "deceitful tongue" mentioned earlier in the psalm.
### Related Words & Concepts
The direct etymological root of rethem is ratam (רָתַם) `{{H7573}}`, meaning "to bind" or "to harness." While the biblical texts do not explicitly link this meaning to the plant's characteristics, it might subtly allude to its strong, fibrous nature or its use in practical applications.
Concepts related to rethem include:
* **Wilderness and Desolation**: The natural habitat of the broom tree, symbolizing barrenness, isolation, and hardship.
* **Shade and Refuge**: As seen with Elijah, the broom tree offers a rare source of shade in an otherwise exposed environment, representing temporary shelter or a place of despair.
* **Sustenance and Poverty**: Its roots as a last resort for food illustrate extreme destitution and the struggle for survival.
* **Fuel and Judgment**: The intense heat of its coals signifies powerful, enduring consequences or divine retribution.
* **Divine Provision**: Paradoxically, the broom tree's presence in the wilderness often frames the context for God's direct intervention and care, especially in Elijah's narrative.
### Theological Significance
The rethem holds significant theological weight primarily as a **symbol of extreme human vulnerability and the paradoxical manifestation of divine presence within harsh realities**.
In the account of Elijah, the broom tree becomes a poignant symbol of **human despair and God's compassionate intervention**. It is under this humble, solitary plant that the great prophet reaches his lowest point, yet it is precisely there that God ministers to him, providing sustenance and renewed purpose. This highlights that even in moments of profound spiritual and physical exhaustion, God remains faithful and attentive to His servants. The broom tree thus serves as a silent witness to both human fragility and divine faithfulness.
In Job, the consumption of broom roots underscores the **depths of human suffering and degradation**. It paints a stark picture of extreme poverty and the loss of human dignity, serving as a powerful image of Job's lament about the scorn and destitution faced by the righteous. It speaks to the raw, unvarnished reality of life's hardships.
In Psalm 120, the "coals of broom" serve as a vivid metaphor for **intense and lasting judgment or destructive power**. This imagery speaks to the severity of divine justice and the enduring consequences of wickedness, particularly against those who speak deceitfully.
Overall, the rethem is not portrayed as a source of inherent blessing but rather as a **marker of desolate circumstances where God's character (whether compassionate provision or righteous judgment) is strikingly revealed**. It is in the starkness of the desert, under the meager shade of the broom tree, or in the desperation of consuming its roots, that the Bible often portrays the raw encounter between human need and divine action.
### Summary
The Hebrew word rethem (רֶתֶם) `{{H7574}}` refers to the broom tree, a desert shrub known for its sparse shade, bitter roots, and intensely burning wood. While botanically specific, its limited yet profound appearances in the biblical text imbue it with rich symbolic meaning. The rethem consistently marks **contexts of extreme desolation and human vulnerability**, whether depicting Elijah's despair under its meager shade [[1 Kings 19:4]], the utter destitution of those forced to eat its roots [[Job 30:4]], or the intense, enduring heat of its coals used as a metaphor for divine judgment [[Psalm 120:4]]. Paradoxically, in these stark settings, the rethem often frames the context for **divine intervention, sustenance, or the manifestation of God's righteous judgment**. It stands as a humble plant that, through its scriptural usage, powerfully illustrates themes of human weakness, divine provision, and the consequences of sin in the biblical narrative.
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