מְרוּצָה
𐤌𐤓𐤅𐤑𐤄
mᵉrûwtsâh
H4794 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Action of running, more specifically a swift movement by foot, often in the sense of a footrace or rapid progress. Used both abstractly for swift movement and concretely for a competitive race or course undertaken by runners. The term can refer to the actual act of running, a race as a contest, or the path/course upon which running takes place.
Semantic Range
running as an activity, footrace or contest, rapid motion, course or path (of running), swift progress
Root / Etymology
From the root רוץ (r-w-ts), which means 'to run.' The feminine noun מְרוּצָה (merûtsâh) is derived from this verbal root, expressing 'a running' or 'a course.' The form is related to the noun מֵרוֹץ (mērōts), which likewise denotes running or a race. Variant spelling מְרֻצָה exists, reflecting minor vocalic variation but the same meaning.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מְרוּצָה occurs rarely (notably in Ecclesiastes 9:11, where it refers to a footrace—a competitive running event—and metaphorically to the unpredictable outcomes of human endeavor). While it denotes literal running, the term is also used to express the concept of a life's course or struggle for achievement, similar to the English metaphor 'race of life,' though this metaphorical sense is less common and context-dependent. Other Hebrew terms such as מַרְצוֹחַ are not directly related but may be confused due to superficial similarity. English translations as 'race,' 'running,' or 'course' generally capture the meaning, though some nuance is lost, particularly if the context is not a contest but simple swift movement. During the post-exilic and Second Temple periods, the imagery of competition and athletic contests grew in prominence, but the biblical occurrence remains rooted in the context of swift running or a footrace rather than organized sporting events.
Translation Consistency
"Run" is the most natural, versatile English base that covers the primary senses of מְרוּצָה — the act of running, a race or contest, rapid progress, or a course/path. It is idiomatic as both a verb and noun, matching the typical usage in the SILEX range better than more formal alternatives like "race" or the gerund "running."
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מְרֻצָה; feminine of מֵרוֹץ; a race (the act), whether the manner or the progress; course, running. Compare מְרֻצָה.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רוץ (r-w-ts) — to run, move swiftly
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4794-02 |
כִּ/מְרֻצַ֖ת | kimerutsat | HR/Ncfsc |
like the running | like running-of | like the running of | 1 |
H4794-01 |
בִּ/מְר֣וּצָתָ֔/ם | bimerutsatam | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp |
in their course | in their running | in their running | 1 |
H4794-05 |
ב/מרצות/ם | vmrtsvtm | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
to their courses | in their runnings | in their runnings | 1 |
H4794-03 |
מְרוּצַ֣ת | merutsat | HNcfsc |
running | running of | the running of | 1 |
H4794-04 |
מְרֽוּצָתָ/ם֙ | merutsatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their course | their running | their course | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4794-03 |
2 Samuel 18:27 | מְרוּצַ֣ת | merutsat | HNcfsc |
running | running of | the running of |
H4794-02 |
2 Samuel 18:27 | כִּ/מְרֻצַ֖ת | kimerutsat | HR/Ncfsc |
like the running | like running-of | like the running of |
H4794-05 |
Jeremiah 8:6 | ב/מרצות/ם | vmrtsvtm | HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp |
to their courses | in their runnings | in their runnings |
H4794-01 |
Jeremiah 8:6 | בִּ/מְר֣וּצָתָ֔/ם | bimerutsatam | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3mp |
in their course | in their running | in their running |
H4794-04 |
Jeremiah 23:10 | מְרֽוּצָתָ/ם֙ | merutsatam | HNcfsc/Sp3mp |
their course | their running | their course |