רוּד
𐤓𐤅𐤃
rûwd
H7300 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
A verbal root meaning primarily to wander, roam restlessly, or move about with no fixed direction, often with an implication of distress or disquiet. In some contexts, it extends to connote a restless or mournful emotional state accompanying such movement. Rarely, it reflects a posture of self-assertion or dominance driven by restlessness or internal turmoil.
Semantic Range
to wander aimlessly, to roam in distress or disquiet, to move about restlessly, to be agitated or unsettled, to mourn by wandering, to be in a state of exile or displacement
Root / Etymology
Root: רוד; the core root sense is 'to wander or roam.' The verb form רוּד (rûwd) stems directly from this root, expressing action related to restless wandering or agitation. There are no certain cognates in other Semitic languages, and the root is attested exclusively in Hebrew with this sense.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רוּד appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, used mainly in poetic or lament contexts to describe physical or emotional restlessness—such as individuals wandering in distress, refugees, or persons exiled and unsettled. The root does not primarily convey rulership or dominion in the sense of 'to rule,' though some translations have rendered it so in specific contexts (e.g., Lamentations 1:13, Ezekiel 34:6). In those cases, the implication is not sovereign control but rather being left to wander or mourn without restraint. English translations sometimes obscure this sense by rendering it as 'rule' or 'have dominion,' but the primary meaning remains one of restless roaming, often as a result of adversity or displacement. The word notably differs from הלך ('to go, walk') and נדד ('to wander, flee'), with רוּד carrying a stronger sense of agitation, emotional turmoil, or forced wandering. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root falls out of common usage. The association with 'be lord' or 'rule' is marginal and may be better understood as a misunderstood or contextually specific nuance, rather than a core meaning.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to tramp about, i.e. ramble (free or disconsolate); have the dominion, be lord, mourn, rule.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רוד (r-w-d) — to wander, roam, move restlessly
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7300-04 |
תָּרִ֔יד | tarid | HVhi2ms |
you grow restless | you will drive into restless wandering | 1 |
H7300-01 |
אָרִ֖יד | arid | HVhi1cs |
I-moan | I cause to wander | 1 |
H7300-03 |
רַ֔דְנוּ | radenu | HVqp1cp |
we are lords | we wandered restlessly | 1 |
H7300-02 |
רָד֙ | rad | HVqrmsa |
strays | he wandered restlessly | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7300-04 |
Genesis 27:40 | תָּרִ֔יד | tarid | HVhi2ms |
you grow restless | you will drive into restless wandering |
H7300-03 |
Jeremiah 2:31 | רַ֔דְנוּ | radenu | HVqp1cp |
we are lords | we wandered restlessly |
H7300-02 |
Hosea 12:1 | רָד֙ | rad | HVqrmsa |
strays | he wandered restlessly |
H7300-01 |
Psalms 55:3 | אָרִ֖יד | arid | HVhi1cs |
I-moan | I cause to wander |