Lexical Summary rush: To be poor, to be in want, to lack Original Word: רוּשׁ 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 Origina 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: 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. 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 wərāšLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Samuel 12:3 2 Samuel 12:4 Psalm 34:10 Psalm 82:3 Proverbs 10:4 Proverbs 13:7 Proverbs 13:8 Proverbs 13:23 Proverbs 14:20 Proverbs 17:5 Proverbs 18:23 Proverbs 19:1 Proverbs 19:7 Proverbs 19:22 Proverbs 22:2 Proverbs 22:7 Proverbs 28:3 Proverbs 28:6 Proverbs 28:27 Proverbs 29:13 Ecclesiastes 4:14 Ecclesiastes 5:8 24 Occurrences |
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