5790. uth

Lexical Summary

uth: To hasten, to help, to succor

Original Word: עוּת
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `uwth
Pronunciation: ooth
Phonetic Spelling: (ooth)
KJV: speak in season
NASB: sustain
Word Origin: [for H5789 (עוּשׁ - hasten)]

1. to hasten, i.e. succor

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

speak in season

For uwsh; to hasten, i.e. Succor -- speak in season.

see HEBREW uwsh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
perhaps to help
NASB Translation
sustain (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עוּת verb very dubious; only in לָדַעַת לָעוּת אֶתיָֿעֵף דָּבָר Isaiah 50:4 usually to help, so Ges Del Di Ry^Kau and others, but in that case an Aramaism (Aramaic *עות = Arabic , q. v. below עוּשׁ); text probably corrupt, ᵐ5 Oort^{ThT 1891, 469} לְעִתּוֺ, and strike out אֶתיָֿעֵף; Klo Che^Comm. לִרְעוֺת 'teach, edify,' Gr לַעֲנוֺת, Che^Hpt. לְהַחֲיוֺת.

Topical Lexicon

Meaning in Context

עּוּת (ʿût) appears a single time, Isaiah 50:4, where it describes the gracious act of giving timely, restoring aid through speech: “to sustain the weary with a word”. The verb carries the sense of refreshing, reviving, or causing someone to regain strength.

Biblical Setting: Isaiah 50:4

Isaiah 50 is the third of Isaiah’s Servant Songs. The Servant, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, testifies that the Sovereign LORD has equipped Him with a disciple’s tongue and ear. The aim is explicitly pastoral: the Servant’s taught tongue delivers עּוּת—restorative words—to the exhausted. The Hebrew infinitive לָעוּת links the Servant’s divine instruction with His compassionate mission; listening precedes speaking, and speaking relieves suffering. Historically Isaiah addressed weary exiles; prophetically the text points to the One who would say, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Theological Significance

1. Divine Initiative. The ability to refresh others originates in God’s gracious provision (“The Lord GOD has given Me…”). Scripture consistently portrays true ministry as divinely enabled (2 Corinthians 3:5).
2. Word-Mediated Grace. Restoration comes “with a word,” underscoring the sufficiency of spoken revelation. Similar dynamics appear in Psalms 19:7, where “the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple,” and in John 6:63, where Jesus affirms, “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
3. Messianic Profile. The Servant’s morning-by-morning awakening parallels the daily communion of Jesus with the Father (Mark 1:35). His obedient ear equips Him to utter life-giving truth (John 8:26-28).
4. Pattern for Disciples. Because believers are called to imitate the Servant (1 Peter 2:21), עּוּת becomes a paradigm for Christian speech—words seasoned with grace, “able to give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

Connections with Other Scriptures

• Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver,” illustrating timely encouragement.
• Isaiah 35:3-4: “Strengthen the limp hands, steady the feeble knees,” a command that parallels the Servant’s ministry.
• Hebrews 12:12-13 echoes Isaiah 35, showing ongoing relevance for the New Covenant community.
• 1 Peter 4:11 urges believers to speak “as one speaking the very words of God,” aligning with the Servant model.

Historical Background

Isaiah prophesied during the decline of Judah and foresaw exile in Babylon. The people would become spiritually and emotionally weary under foreign domination. Into that context God promised a Servant whose teaching would revive them. When Jesus read Isaiah in the synagogue (Luke 4:17-21), He declared its fulfillment, presenting Himself as the long-awaited bearer of עּוּת.

Christological Fulfillment

In the Gospels Jesus consistently brings refreshment through His speech:
• John 4:13-14 to the Samaritan woman.
• Luke 7:22 to John’s disciples, reporting miracles that validate His restorative mission.
• John 11:43-44 where a command calls Lazarus from death, the ultimate act of reviving the weary.

The cross culminates the Servant theme; even in agony Jesus speaks comfort—“Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Doctrinal Implications

• Sufficiency of Scripture: The passage affirms that the divine word is fully adequate to revive souls.
• Priesthood of Believers: All who are taught of God share responsibility to relay sustaining words (Colossians 3:16).
• Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit, who inspired Scripture (2 Peter 1:21), empowers believers to apply it effectively (John 14:26).

Pastoral and Practical Applications

1. Daily Listening precedes speaking. Regular Scripture intake positions believers to minister effectively, echoing the Servant’s “morning by morning” discipline.
2. Counseling Model. Biblical counseling seeks to bring עּוּת by applying God’s word to weary hearts rather than relying on purely human wisdom.
3. Preaching and Teaching. Sermons should aim not merely to inform but to strengthen the weary, reflecting Christ’s example.
4. Personal Relationships. Wise, timely encouragement fulfills Hebrews 3:13, preventing hardness of heart.

Mission and Evangelism

The pattern of Isaiah 50:4 intersects with evangelistic witness: gospel proclamation offers rest to sin-burdened souls (Matthew 11:28-30). The global mission of the church, therefore, is not only to declare doctrinal truth but also to speak life-sustaining words that invite weary sinners to the Savior.

Summary

Though appearing only once, עּוּת encapsulates a rich biblical theme: God’s chosen Servant, perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ, listens to the Father and speaks timely, restorative words to the weary. This divine model shapes Christian doctrine, preaching, counseling, and everyday conversation, calling all believers to become channels of the same sustaining grace.

Forms and Transliterations

לָע֥וּת לעות lā‘ūṯ lā·‘ūṯ laUt

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 50:4
HEB: לִמּוּדִ֔ים לָדַ֛עַת לָע֥וּת אֶת־ יָעֵ֖ף
NAS: That I may know how to sustain the weary one
KJV: that I should know how to speak a word
INT: of disciples may know to sustain the weary A word

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5790
1 Occurrence

lā·‘ūṯ — 1 Occ.