7326. rush
Lexical Summary
rush: To be poor, to be in want, to lack

Original Word: רוּשׁ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ruwsh
Pronunciation: roosh
Phonetic Spelling: (roosh)
KJV: lack, needy, (make self) poor (man)
NASB: poor, poor man, am a poor, destitute, lack, pretends to be poor
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to be destitute

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lack, needy, make self poor man

A primitive root; to be destitute -- lack, needy, (make self) poor (man).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to be in want or poor
NASB Translation
am a poor (1), destitute (1), lack (1), poor (18), poor man (2), pretends to be poor (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
רָאשׁ poor, רֵאשׁ poverty, see רושׁ.

[רוּשׁ or רִישׁ]24

verb be in want, poor (related to ירשׁ [compare Qal 3, Niph`al Hiph`il 3]? so Thes); —

Qal Perfect3plural כְּפִירִים רָשׁוּ וְרָעֵ֑בוּ Psalm 34:11 young lions are in want and hunger; elsewhere Participle רָשׁ 1 Samuel 18:23 16t., רָאשׁ 2 Samuel 12:1 2t.; plural רָשִׁים Proverbs 22:7, רָאשִׁים Proverbs 13:23; — (often opposed to עָשִׁיר): as adjective 1 Samuel 18:23; 2 Samuel 12:1,4; Proverbs 28:3; Ecclesiastes 4:14; as substantive = poor man (men), 2 Samuel 12:3; Psalm 82:3; Ecclesiastes 5:7, especially Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 13:8,23 12t. Proverbs.

Hithpo`lel Participle מִתְרוֺשֵׁשׁ Proverbs 13:7 one impoverishing himself (opposed to מִתְעַשֵּׁר; compare Pô'l. רושׁשׁ Ecclus 11:12; Ecclus 13:5). — Jeremiah 5:17; Malachi 1:4 see רשׁשׁ. p. 439f

Topical Lexicon
Scope and Essential Idea

רוּשׁ depicts material destitution or felt lack and, by extension, every circumstance in which human insufficiency meets God’s sufficiency. Occurring twenty-four times, the term spans narrative, wisdom, poetic, and reflective literature, revealing a consistent biblical theology of poverty as a proving ground for humility, integrity, justice, and faith.

Old Testament Societal Setting

In ancient Israel, land, livestock, and family support determined one’s economic stability. A רוּשׁ person was vulnerable to exploitation (Ecclesiastes 5:8), marginalization (Proverbs 14:20), or oppressive lending (Proverbs 22:7). The Mosaic Law therefore embedded protections—gleaning rights, sabbatical release, and prohibition of interest—to guard those who lacked resources. The occurrences of רוּשׁ remind readers that covenant life was measured not only by worship but also by social ethics.

Narrative Portrayals

1 Samuel 18:23 presents David’s self-description: “I am a poor and lightly esteemed man.” Though anointed, he possessed no dowry or status, underscoring that divine election rests on grace, not wealth.

Nathan’s parable (2 Samuel 12:1-4) contrasts a rich man’s abundance with a poor man who treasured “one little ewe lamb” (12:3). The king’s sin is exposed by his failure to empathize with poverty, teaching that disregard for the רוּשׁ is an affront to God’s justice.

Psalms

Psalm 34 celebrates deliverance: “Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (34:10). Material want is relativized by the greater reality of God’s provision. Psalm 82:3 commands, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.” Worship without advocacy is unacceptable; God stands as Judge over authorities who ignore the poor.

Wisdom Literature and Proverbs

Proverbs employs רוּשׁ to offer practical instruction:
• Personal diligence—“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (10:4).
• Social perception—“One pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth” (13:7).
• Integrity—“Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse” (28:6).
• Generosity—“He who gives to the poor will not lack” (28:27).
• Divine equality—“The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD is Maker of them all” (22:2).

Collectively, Proverbs teaches that poverty can arise from laziness, injustice, disaster, or providential testing, but righteousness toward God and neighbor transcends economic status.

Ecclesiastes and the Limits of Wealth

Ecclesiastes 4:14 notes a prisoner rising to kingship “though born poor,” highlighting life’s reversals under God’s sovereign hand. Chapter 5:8 warns that bureaucratic layers can perpetuate oppression, yet ultimate accountability belongs to “one higher than the high.” Poverty therefore becomes a lens through which the Preacher exposes earthly vanity and directs hearts heavenward.

Ethics, Justice, and Covenant Faithfulness

Scripture insists that treatment of the רוּשׁ reflects loyalty to Yahweh. Mocking the poor “shows contempt for their Maker” (Proverbs 17:5). Rulers who exploit them resemble “driving rain that leaves no food” (28:3). Conversely, intercessory generosity aligns the community with God’s own character.

Spiritual Dimension

Though inherently economic, רוּשׁ often points to spiritual realities. Material need trains God’s people in dependence, anticipating the Messiah who would proclaim good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18). The integrity of the economically disadvantaged models the “poor in spirit” whom Jesus blesses (Matthew 5:3), demonstrating that earthly lack can foster heavenly riches.

Practical Ministry Application

1. Advocacy: Church leaders mirror Psalm 82 by defending those without power.
2. Benevolence: Faith communities obey Proverbs 28:27 through generous relief funds and personal charity.
3. Stewardship Teaching: Balanced instruction discourages both idleness that leads to want and greed that oppresses.
4. Gospel Witness: As in David’s life, God’s grace elevates the humble, reminding believers that salvation is gift, not social advantage.

Canonical Perspective

From Torah safeguards to prophetic rebuke, from Wisdom counsel to the gospel’s proclamation, the theme of רוּשׁ unites Scripture in affirming God’s concern for the needy and His call for righteousness among His people. Poverty neither thwarts divine purpose nor diminishes human worth; instead, it becomes a stage upon which God displays justice, mercy, and redemptive power.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּרָשִׁ֣ים ברשים הָרָ֔אשׁ הראש וְ֝רָ֗שׁ וְלָרָ֣שׁ וָרָ֣שׁ ולרש ורש לָ֭רָשׁ לרש מִ֝תְרוֹשֵׁ֗שׁ מתרושש רָ֑שׁ רָ֗אשׁ רָ֝שׁ רָ֠שׁ רָ֤שׁ רָ֥שׁ רָ֨שׁ ׀ רָ֭שׁ רָֽאשׁ׃ רָֽשׁ׃ רָאשִׁ֑ים רָשׁ֣וּ ראש ראש׃ ראשים רש רש׃ רשו bə·rā·šîm beraShim bərāšîm hā·rāš hārāš haRash lā·rāš lārāš Larosh miṯ·rō·wō·šêš mitroShesh miṯrōwōšêš rā·šîm rā·šū rāš rash raShim raShu rāšîm rāšū vaRash velaRash veRash wā·rāš wārāš wə·lā·rāš wə·rāš wəlārāš wərāš
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Samuel 18:23
HEB: וְאָנֹכִ֖י אִֽישׁ־ רָ֥שׁ וְנִקְלֶֽה׃
NAS: son-in-law, since I am a poor man
KJV: son in law, seeing that I [am] a poor man,
INT: I man I am and lightly

2 Samuel 12:1
HEB: עָשִׁ֖יר וְאֶחָ֥ד רָֽאשׁ׃
NAS: rich and the other poor.
KJV: rich, and the other poor.
INT: rich and the other poor

2 Samuel 12:3
HEB: וְלָרָ֣שׁ אֵֽין־ כֹּ֗ל
NAS: But the poor man had nothing except
KJV: But the poor [man] had nothing, save one
INT: the poor else all manner

2 Samuel 12:4
HEB: כִּבְשַׂת֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הָרָ֔אשׁ וַֽיַּעֲשֶׂ֔הָ לָאִ֖ישׁ
NAS: to him; Rather he took the poor man's
KJV: unto him; but took the poor man's
INT: ewe man's the poor and prepared the man

Psalm 34:10
HEB: כְּ֭פִירִים רָשׁ֣וּ וְרָעֵ֑בוּ וְדֹרְשֵׁ֥י
NAS: The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
KJV: The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger:
INT: the young lack and suffer seek

Psalm 82:3
HEB: וְיָת֑וֹם עָנִ֖י וָרָ֣שׁ הַצְדִּֽיקוּ׃
NAS: to the afflicted and destitute.
KJV: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
INT: and fatherless to the afflicted and destitute Do

Proverbs 10:4
HEB: רָ֗אשׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה כַף־
NAS: Poor is he who works with a negligent
KJV: He becometh poor that dealeth
INT: Poor works hand

Proverbs 13:7
HEB: וְאֵ֣ין כֹּ֑ל מִ֝תְרוֹשֵׁ֗שׁ וְה֣וֹן רָֽב׃
NAS: but has nothing; [Another] pretends to be poor, but has great
KJV: that maketh himself rich, yet [hath] nothing: [there is] that maketh himself poor, yet
INT: has yet pretends wealth has great

Proverbs 13:8
HEB: אִ֣ישׁ עָשְׁר֑וֹ וְ֝רָ֗שׁ לֹא־ שָׁמַ֥ע
NAS: is his wealth, But the poor hears
KJV: [are] his riches: but the poor heareth
INT: of a man's is his wealth the poor no hears

Proverbs 13:23
HEB: אֹ֭כֶל נִ֣יר רָאשִׁ֑ים וְיֵ֥שׁ נִ֝סְפֶּ֗ה
NAS: [is in] the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away
INT: food the fallow of the poor is is swept

Proverbs 14:20
HEB: לְ֭רֵעֵהוּ יִשָּׂ֣נֵא רָ֑שׁ וְאֹהֲבֵ֖י עָשִׁ֣יר
NAS: The poor is hated even
KJV: The poor is hated
INT: his neighbor is hated the poor love the rich

Proverbs 17:5
HEB: לֹעֵ֣ג לָ֭רָשׁ חֵרֵ֣ף עֹשֵׂ֑הוּ
NAS: He who mocks the poor taunts
KJV: Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth
INT: mocks the poor taunts his Maker

Proverbs 18:23
HEB: תַּחֲנוּנִ֥ים יְדַבֶּר־ רָ֑שׁ וְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר יַעֲנֶ֥ה
NAS: The poor man utters supplications,
KJV: The poor useth intreaties;
INT: supplications utters the poor the rich answers

Proverbs 19:1
HEB: טֽוֹב־ רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ
NAS: Better is a poor man who walks
KJV: Better [is] the poor that walketh
INT: Better poor walks his integrity

Proverbs 19:7
HEB: כָּ֥ל אֲחֵי־ רָ֨שׁ ׀ שְֽׂנֵאֻ֗הוּ אַ֤ף
NAS: the brothers of a poor man hate
KJV: All the brethren of the poor do hate
INT: All the brothers of a poor hate How

Proverbs 19:22
HEB: חַסְדּ֑וֹ וְטֽוֹב־ רָ֝שׁ מֵאִ֥ישׁ כָּזָֽב׃
NAS: And [it is] better to be a poor man than
KJV: [is] his kindness: and a poor man [is] better
INT: is his kindness better poor than A liar

Proverbs 22:2
HEB: עָשִׁ֣יר וָרָ֣שׁ נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ עֹשֵׂ֖ה
NAS: The rich and the poor have a common bond,
KJV: The rich and poor meet together:
INT: the rich and the poor have is the maker

Proverbs 22:7
HEB: עָ֭שִׁיר בְּרָשִׁ֣ים יִמְשׁ֑וֹל וְעֶ֥בֶד
NAS: rules over the poor, And the borrower
KJV: ruleth over the poor, and the borrower
INT: the rich the poor rules slave

Proverbs 28:3
HEB: גֶּ֣בֶר רָ֭שׁ וְעֹשֵׁ֣ק דַּלִּ֑ים
NAS: A poor man who oppresses
KJV: A poor man that oppresseth
INT: man A poor oppresses the lowly

Proverbs 28:6
HEB: טֽוֹב־ רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ
NAS: Better is the poor who walks
KJV: Better [is] the poor that walketh
INT: Better is the poor walks his integrity

Proverbs 28:27
HEB: נוֹתֵ֣ן לָ֭רָשׁ אֵ֣ין מַחְס֑וֹר
NAS: He who gives to the poor will never
KJV: He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:
INT: gives to the poor will never want

Proverbs 29:13
HEB: רָ֤שׁ וְאִ֣ישׁ תְּכָכִ֣ים
NAS: The poor man and the oppressor
KJV: The poor and the deceitful man
INT: the poor man and the deceitful

Ecclesiastes 4:14
HEB: בְּמַלְכוּת֖וֹ נוֹלַ֥ד רָֽשׁ׃
NAS: he was born poor in his kingdom.
KJV: in his kingdom becometh poor.
INT: his kingdom was born poor

Ecclesiastes 5:8
HEB: אִם־ עֹ֣שֶׁק רָ֠שׁ וְגֵ֨זֶל מִשְׁפָּ֤ט
NAS: oppression of the poor and denial
KJV: the oppression of the poor, and violent
INT: If oppression of the poor and violent of justice

24 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 7326
24 Occurrences


bə·rā·šîm — 1 Occ.
hā·rāš — 1 Occ.
lā·rāš — 2 Occ.
miṯ·rō·wō·šêš — 1 Occ.
rāš — 13 Occ.
rā·šîm — 1 Occ.
rā·šū — 1 Occ.
wā·rāš — 2 Occ.
wə·lā·rāš — 1 Occ.
wə·rāš — 1 Occ.

7325
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