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רָעַץ

𐤓𐤏𐤑

râʻats

H7492 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To break, crush, or shatter something by force; in figurative contexts, to oppress, harass, or inflict injury or distress. The term can refer to physical destruction (breaking objects or bodies), as well as to psychological or social harm (vexing, oppressing, or overwhelming).

Semantic Range

to break in pieces, crush, shatter, dash to pieces, violently strike, bruise, harass, oppress, vex, inflict physical or emotional harm

Root / Etymology

Root: רעץ. The verbal root רעץ appears in several Semitic languages and conveys the notion of striking, breaking, or crushing. The verb רָעַץ in Biblical Hebrew typically denotes violent action that results in fragmentation or destruction. The derived noun מַרְעֵצוּת (marʿēṣût) also relates to crushing or violence (cf. Ps 74:5).

Historical & Contextual Notes

רָעַץ is most often used in contexts of physical violence or defeat, whether by shattering objects, fatally striking enemies, or smashing idols. In some passages (e.g., Judges, Psalms), the word is used both for literal smashing and for figurative harm—such as the oppression or distress of people or nations. The verb often appears in poetic or prophetic texts to describe devastation, chaos, or defeat, sometimes in parallel with similar roots like שָׁבַר (to break). In post-exilic and later Hebrew, the root remains rare and poetic. Standard English translations sometimes use 'break in pieces,' 'smash,' 'crush,' or, in figurative contexts, 'harass' or 'vex,' but these do not always reflect the full force of violent disintegration implied by this root. The term is distinct from more general words for breaking (שׁבר), as רָעַץ often emphasizes violent impact or disintegration. Usage is consistent across periods, with no significant post-biblical development.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to break in pieces; figuratively, harass; dash in pieces, vex.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רעץ (r-ʿ-ṣ) — to crush, shatter, break forcefully, bruise

Root ר-ע-ץ to crush, bruise, shatter, break forcefully

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7492-02 וַֽ/יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ vayireatsu HC/Vqw3mp and they terrified and they crushed and they crushed 1
H7492-01 תִּרְעַ֥ץ tireats HVqi3fs shatters she crushes she crushes 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7492-01 Exodus 15:6 תִּרְעַ֥ץ tireats HVqi3fs shatters she crushes she crushes
H7492-02 Judges 10:8 וַֽ/יִּרְעֲצ֤וּ vayireatsu HC/Vqw3mp and they terrified and they crushed and they crushed
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