עוּת
𐤏𐤅𐤕
ʻûwth
H5790 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To act quickly, to hasten or to show promptness, especially for the purpose of aiding or supporting someone; by extension, to respond, encourage, or offer words at the opportune time. The verb indicates swift intervention or timely response, whether with action or words.
Semantic Range
to hasten to help, to act quickly to support, to speak words of encouragement at the right time, to offer timely advice, to prompt; to intervene or respond at an opportune moment
Root / Etymology
Root: עוּת. Likely derived from the root meaning 'to hasten, be eager'. Though its precise relationship to neighboring roots (such as עוּשׁ or עוץ) is debated, it shares the central idea of readiness or promptness in action or speech.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The word עוּת is rare in the Hebrew Bible, occurring only in poetic or wisdom contexts (e.g., Job 29:21, Isaiah 28:11), and always connoting some sense of timely or appropriate intervention—whether through physical succor or spoken advice. Its use is often paralleled by verbs denoting readiness or appropriate response rather than the general 'help' (e.g., עזר). In post-biblical Hebrew, the term fades from use, suggesting a narrowing or loss of the term in the later Judean context. English translations that render it as 'help' or 'speak in season' partially capture its meaning but often miss the nuance of timeliness and particular appropriateness, as well as its occasional implication of encouragement or stimulation (see, e.g., Job 29:21, where it conveys responsive encouragement). The verb should not be confused with עוּשׁ (to haste, to hurry up), though there is semantic overlap around quickness, and it is etymologically distinct from עוץ, 'to advise.' In contexts where later English versions use 'help' or 'encourage,' context should determine whether the timeliness or the aspect of quick intervention is in view.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for עוּשׁ; to hasten, i.e. succor; speak in season.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עות (ʿ-w-t) — hastening, eagerness, prompt response
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5791 | עָוַת | he has twisted me |
| H5792 | עַוָּתָה | my injustice |
| H5793 | עוּתַי | Yah-has-helped |
| H6265 | עֲתָיָה | Yah Has Helped |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5790-01 |
לָ/ע֥וּת | laut | HR/Vqc |
to-sustain | to hasten to help | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5790-01 |
Isaiah 50:4 | לָ/ע֥וּת | laut | HR/Vqc |
to-sustain | to hasten to help |