מֵרוֹץ
𐤌𐤓𐤅𐤑
mêrôwts
H4793 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A running, course, or act of rushing, often denoting the action or process of running, especially in a contest or as a metaphor for swift movement. The term encompasses both literal running (as in a race or rapid movement) and, in certain contexts, figurative ideas of urgent action or pursuit.
Semantic Range
running, act of running, course, race, rapid movement, urgent journey
Root / Etymology
From the root רוץ (rush, run), signifying movement at speed. The noun מֵרוֹץ is a verbal noun form, meaning 'running' or 'race.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
מֵרוֹץ occurs only a few times in the Hebrew Bible. Its primary use is in contexts referring to the act of running, whether as a demonstration of physical speed (such as in competitions or trials) or as a description of urgent or continuous movement. In ancient Israelite society, running could signify both individual achievement (as in athletic contests) and vital actions such as messengers delivering news. The term does not specifically designate an organized sporting event in the modern sense but refers more generally to any contest, act, or path of running. Later translators, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, often rendered it literally as 'race' or 'running.' The meaning remains relatively consistent throughout biblical and early post-biblical Hebrew. The English use of 'race' may sometimes be too narrow if interpreted only as a contest, rather than also including broader senses such as rapid motion or course. Distinguished from other terms such as דֶּרֶךְ (path, journey), which focus more on the route than the movement itself.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רוּץ; a run (the trial of speed); race.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רוץ (r-w-ṣ) — to run, rush, move swiftly
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4793-01 |
הַ/מֵּר֜וֹץ | hamerots | HTd/Ncmsa |
the race | the running | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4793-01 |
Ecclesiastes 9:11 | הַ/מֵּר֜וֹץ | hamerots | HTd/Ncmsa |
the race | the running |