רֹמַח
𐤓𐤌𐤇
rômach
H7420 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A long, thrusting or throwing weapon—spear or javelin—typically made of wood with an iron or metal head. Used in warfare or combat by individuals such as soldiers or warriors. The term may refer both to the complete weapon and, by metonymy, to the iron or metal portion (the point) in some contexts.
Semantic Range
spear, javelin, lance, the iron head or point of a spear, weapon used for thrusting or throwing in warfare
Root / Etymology
The word appears to be formed from an unused, possibly onomatopoeic root related to hurling or thrusting actions, though no extant Hebrew root רמח is attested in other forms. Thus, the etymology remains uncertain. The word refers to a type of weapon and is distinct from other Hebrew terms for spear or javelin (such as חֲנִית, hanit).
Historical & Contextual Notes
רֹמַח is attested primarily in texts describing battle equipment or the paraphernalia of warriors during the monarchic period of ancient Israel. Unlike חֲנִית (hanit), which can denote a thrown spear or general spear, רֹמַח seems to connote a longer or heavier type of spear, perhaps with an emphasis on being thrust or hurled. The word rarely appears outside of military contexts and is sometimes specifically paired with other equipment in narrative descriptions. Ancient translations such as the Septuagint render it as λόγχη or ἀκόντιον, reflecting a similar weapon. English Bible translations often vary, offering 'spear,' 'javelin,' or more poetically, 'lance,' but typically do not always reflect subtle differences between רֹמַח and other Hebrew words for spear-like weapons. There is no direct link to the later Greek or Roman period lancia or Latin lancea. The association with 'buckler' or 'lancet' in older glosses arises from later lexicographical confusion and is not supported by the biblical context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to hurl; a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point; buckler, javelin, lancet, spear.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רמח (r-m-ḥ) — to thrust, to hurl, to pierce
Word Forms
10 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7420-09 |
וָ/רֹ֔מַח | varomach | HC/Ncmsa |
and spear | and thrusting spear | 4 |
H7420-06 |
וּ/רְמָחִ֔ים | uremachim | HC/Ncmpa |
and spears | and thrusting-spears | 2 |
H7420-05 |
רֹ֖מַח | romach | HNcmsa |
a spear | thrusting spear | 2 |
H7420-08 |
וּ/בְ/רֹ֑מַח | uveromach | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and with spears | thrusting-spear | 1 |
H7420-01 |
בָּֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים | baremachim | HRd/Ncmpa |
the spears | with the thrusting-spears | 1 |
H7420-10 |
וְ/הָ/רְמָחִ֣ים | veharemachim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
the spears | and the thrusting-spears | 1 |
H7420-07 |
וּ/בָֽ/רְמָחִ֑ים | uvaremachim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and with spears | and with thrusting-spears | 1 |
H7420-02 |
הָֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים | haremachim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the spears | the thrusting-spears | 1 |
H7420-04 |
רָמְחֵי/הֶ֖ם | ramecheyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
their spears | their thrusting-spears | 1 |
H7420-03 |
לִ/רְמָחִ֑ים | liremachim | HR/Ncmpa |
into spears | thrusting-spears | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7420-05 |
Numbers 25:7 | רֹ֖מַח | romach | HNcmsa |
a spear | thrusting spear |
H7420-09 |
Judges 5:8 | וָ/רֹ֔מַח | varomach | HC/Ncmsa |
or spear | and thrusting spear |
H7420-07 |
1 Kings 18:28 | וּ/בָֽ/רְמָחִ֑ים | uvaremachim | HC/Rd/Ncmpa |
and with spears | and with thrusting-spears |
H7420-02 |
Jeremiah 46:4 | הָֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים | haremachim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the spears | the thrusting-spears |
H7420-08 |
Ezekiel 39:9 | וּ/בְ/רֹ֑מַח | uveromach | HC/R/Ncmsa |
and with spears | thrusting-spear |
H7420-03 |
Joel 4:10 | לִ/רְמָחִ֑ים | liremachim | HR/Ncmpa |
into spears | thrusting-spears |
H7420-04 |
Nehemiah 4:7 | רָמְחֵי/הֶ֖ם | ramecheyhem | HNcmpc/Sp3mp |
their spears | their thrusting-spears |
H7420-10 |
Nehemiah 4:10 | וְ/הָ/רְמָחִ֣ים | veharemachim | HC/Td/Ncmpa |
the spears | and the thrusting-spears |
H7420-01 |
Nehemiah 4:15 | בָּֽ/רְמָחִ֔ים | baremachim | HRd/Ncmpa |
the spears | with the thrusting-spears |
H7420-09 |
1 Chronicles 12:9 | וָ/רֹ֑מַח | varomach | HC/Ncmsa |
and spear | and thrusting spear |