Lexical Summary rud: To wander, roam, stray, restlessly move Original Word: רוּד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have the dominion, be lord, mourn, rule A primitive root; to tramp about, i.e. Ramble (free or disconsolate) -- have the dominion, be lord, mourn, rule. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to wander restlessly, roam NASB Translation become restless (1), restless (1), roam (1), unruly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs רוּד verb wander restlessly, roam (compare Arabic  ( ) go to and fro [NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 539], Ethiopic  run upon, invade, attack); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular עִד רָד עִם אֵל Hosea 12:1, figurative, corrupt, ᵐ5 apparently עַתָּ יְדָעָם, We עִדַּר דַּעַת lacks knowledge, Now יָדֻעַ, BewerJBL xxi (1902), 108 f. עֹד יְדָעָם; 1 plural רֵדְנוּ Jeremiah 2:31 figurative of Israel; read וְרַדְתִּי perhaps Judges 11:37 literal, see ירד 1g. Hiph`il shew restlessness: Imperfect2masculine singular כַּאֲשֶׁר תָּרִיד Genesis 27:40 (dubious Nöl.c. 540); 1 singular אָדִיד בְּשִׂיחִי Psalm 55:3 I shew restlessness (?) in my murmuring. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb רוּד appears only four times in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet each setting adds a distinct color to a single portrait: the inner agitation of those who refuse God’s will and the outward wandering that inevitably follows. Whether describing the national destiny of Esau’s descendants, the turmoil inside David’s heart, or the spiritual drift of Israel and Judah, the word consistently links restlessness with alienation from covenant obedience. Representative Texts Semantic Range and Imagery 1. Physical roaming: movement without settled purpose. These nuances intertwine; outward aimlessness mirrors inward unrest. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Genesis 27:40 – The oracle to Esau reveals that restlessness will precede independence. History confirms a pattern of Edomite resistance against Israel, from the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 20:14-21) to the reign of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20-22). רוּד portrays Edom’s political fortunes as the fruit of perpetual dissatisfaction. 2. Psalm 55:2 – David’s lament presents רוּד in the realm of personal spirituality. Betrayal by a close companion (55:12-14) has driven the psalmist into mental “roaming,” a surging of thoughts that seeks refuge in God. The verse shows that restlessness can lead either to deeper despair or to prayerful dependence. 3. Jeremiah 2:31 – The prophet confronts Judah’s claim, “We are free to roam.” Here רוּד exposes the deceptive promise of autonomy. The wilderness motif (“Have I been a wilderness to Israel?”) evokes Exodus memories: God had guided former wanderings, but now His people wander away from Him. 4. Hosea 11:12 – The Northern Kingdom compasses God with lies, yet Judah’s stance remains contested. Some manuscripts read “Judah is unruly against God,” others “Judah still walks with God.” Either way, רוּד highlights the precariousness of Judah’s fidelity amidst national hypocrisy, foreshadowing exile if restlessness triumphs. Theological Themes • Rebellion and Restlessness: Scripture links disobedience with an inability to rest (Leviticus 26:33; Isaiah 57:20-21). רוּד dramatizes that principle in narrative, poetry, and prophecy. Historical and Prophetic Significance • Edom’s History: From Saul’s campaigns (1 Samuel 14:47) to Herod the Great’s reign, Edom’s uneasy relations with Israel fulfill Genesis 27:40’s forecast of mixed subjection and revolt. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Diagnosing Spiritual Drift: When believers voice a desire for autonomy (“We are free to roam”), ministers can trace the symptom back to misplaced affections rather than external circumstances. Related Concepts and Cross-References • נוּעַ (to shake, totter) – Isaiah 24:20; Amos 8:12 Conclusion רוּד threads through the biblical narrative as the verb of the wanderer—one who breaks loose, roams, and frets when separated from the gracious order God provides. Its scarcity in the text heightens its impact, signaling decisive moments when hearts or nations teeter between surrender and self-willed flight. Every occurrence therefore invites the reader to choose the better way: to cease roaming and find rest in the covenant-keeping Lord. ——— ¹ Hosea 11:12 reflects a textual variant; the Masoretic consonants allow either “is unruly against” or “walks with.” The Berean Standard Bible follows the latter. Forms and Transliterations אָרִ֖יד אריד רַ֔דְנוּ רָד֙ רד רדנו תָּרִ֔יד תריד ’ā·rîḏ ’ārîḏ aRid rad rāḏ raḏ·nū Radnu raḏnū tā·rîḏ taRid tārîḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 27:40 HEB: וְהָיָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר תָּרִ֔יד וּפָרַקְתָּ֥ עֻלּ֖וֹ NAS: about when you become restless, That you will break KJV: thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break INT: shall come you become you will break his yoke Psalm 55:2 Jeremiah 2:31 Hosea 11:12 4 Occurrences |
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