רוּץ
𐤓𐤅𐤑
rûwts
H7323 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To move swiftly on foot, typically in the sense of running or hurrying. The verb is used both literally, for physical running by people or animals, and metaphorically, to indicate rapid action, eagerness, or purposeful movement, such as rushing to deliver news or to perform a task. It may also refer to official messengers, couriers, or guards who physically run in the performance of their duties. In some contexts, it can imply fleeing or escaping swiftly, or moving rapidly in pursuit or in service.
Semantic Range
to run (physically), to hasten, to flee, to rush, to act with urgency, to serve as a messenger or courier, to act as a guard or attendant who runs, to pursue swiftly
Root / Etymology
רוץ is a verbal root meaning 'to run, move swiftly.' The core sense is straightforward motion at speed, physically by a person or agent. Derived nouns and participial forms denote those who run, such as messengers or guards. The root is attested in other Semitic languages (e.g., Aramaic רוץ; Ugaritic rṣ), confirming its ancient lineage and basic meaning of rapid motion on foot.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רוּץ is used extensively throughout the Hebrew Bible in narratives describing rapid physical motion, from individuals running to deliver messages (e.g., 2 Samuel 18:19–27; Jeremiah 51:31) to figurative uses expressing eagerness (e.g., Psalm 119:32). In royal or military contexts, footmen or runners (participle רָץ) were officials who served as swift messengers, couriers, or attendants (cf. 1 Kings 1:5). The noun form appears in lists of officials or as designations for posts. This term should not be confused with other verbs meaning 'to flee' (e.g., ברח, H1272), though the context may sometimes blend senses of intentional versus panicked haste. Unlike the later English literary sense of 'footman' as a servant, the biblical רָץ was primarily a messenger or guard tasked with rapid travel. The wide semantic range in various English translations ('footman, guard, courier, messenger, post') reflects attempts to capture both the literal and official roles connected to swift movement. Over time, in post-biblical Hebrew, רוץ retained its basic sense of 'to run,' while official capacities developed into other terms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush); break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post.
Bantu Hebrew
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רוץ (r-w-ṣ) — to run, move swiftly, rush
Word Forms
33 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7323-05 |
הָ/רָצִ֔ים | haratsim | HTd/Vqrmpa |
the couriers | the runners | 18 |
H7323-21 |
וַ/יָּ֤רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and ran | and he ran | 18 |
H7323-11 |
רָ֣ץ | rats | HVqp3ms |
running | he ran | 10 |
H7323-30 |
יָר֔וּץ | yaruts | HVqi3ms |
runs | he runs | 6 |
H7323-20 |
וַ/תָּ֥רָץ | vatarats | HC/Vqw3fs |
and ran | and she ran | 4 |
H7323-03 |
אָר֔וּץ | aruts | HVqi1cs |
I can run | I run | 4 |
H7323-33 |
יְרוּצֽוּ/ן | yerutsun | HVqi3mp/Sn |
they run | they run | 4 |
H7323-31 |
יָר֨וּצוּ֙ | yarutsu | HVqi3mp |
run | they run | 4 |
H7323-16 |
רֻ֗ץ | ruts | HVqv2ms |
run | Run! | 4 |
H7323-09 |
לָ/רוּץ֙ | laruts | HR/Vqc |
to run | to run swiftly | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
104 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7323-21 |
Genesis 18:2 | וַ/יָּ֤רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and he ran | and he ran |
H7323-11 |
Genesis 18:7 | רָ֣ץ | rats | HVqp3ms |
ran | he ran |
H7323-21 |
Genesis 24:17 | וַ/יָּ֥רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
ran | and he ran |
H7323-20 |
Genesis 24:20 | וַ/תָּ֥רָץ | vatarats | HC/Vqw3fs |
and ran | and she ran |
H7323-20 |
Genesis 24:28 | וַ/תָּ֨רָץ֙ | vatarats | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she ran | and she ran |
H7323-21 |
Genesis 24:29 | וַ/יָּ֨רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and Laban ran | and he ran |
H7323-20 |
Genesis 29:12 | וַ/תָּ֖רָץ | vatarats | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she ran | and she ran |
H7323-21 |
Genesis 29:13 | וַ/יָּ֤רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
he ran | and he ran |
H7323-21 |
Genesis 33:4 | וַ/יָּ֨רָץ | vayarats | HC/Vqw3ms |
and ran | and he ran |
H7323-25 |
Genesis 41:14 | וַ/יְרִיצֻ֖/הוּ | vayeritsuhu | HC/Vhw3mp/Sp3ms |
they brought him quickly | they made him run |