רָטָשׁ
𐤓𐤈𐤔
râṭâsh
H7376 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To break apart violently by striking or dashing down; to shatter, smash, or dash in pieces, with the implication of forceful destruction. The word connotes a sudden, forceful action resulting in fragmentation or ruin, especially in the context of objects or sometimes cities rendered desolate by violence.
Semantic Range
to dash down, to break in pieces, to shatter, to smash, to destroy violently, to ruin utterly
Root / Etymology
From the root רטש, which according to available evidence refers to the action of shattering or breaking by force. Cognate roots are not attested in other Semitic languages, and the Hebrew term is rare. The primary lexical form רָטָשׁ (râṭâsh) appears to carry the meaning of 'to shatter' or 'smash' by physical force, with the noun derivatives retaining the core meaning of violent breaking or ruin.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָטָשׁ is a rare verb in Biblical Hebrew, found only in poetic or highly expressive contexts. It describes the destruction or smashing of objects or, metaphorically, the devastation of cities. Its usage is almost entirely destructive and violent in connotation. Unlike broader verbs for breaking (such as שָׁבַר, 'to break'), רָטָשׁ specifically emphasizes violent force and fragmentation. In some English translations, it may be paraphrased with 'to dash in pieces' or 'to shatter,' but the underlying Hebrew connotes a more sudden and forceful action than some alternatives. Its infrequency limits attested semantic extension; related verbs with broader usage have largely supplanted it in later Hebrew. No significant change in meaning is observed between historical periods due to its rarity. In translation traditions, it may be rendered similarly to common terms for smashing, but nuances of force and finality may be underrepresented.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to dash down; dash (in pieces).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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רטש (r-ṭ-š) — to dash down, to shatter, to smash
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7376-05 |
יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ | yeruteshu | HVPi3mp |
were dashed in pieces | they will be smashed to pieces | 2 |
H7376-03 |
תְּרַטֵּ֔שׁ | teratesh | HVpi2ms |
you will dash | you will violently shatter | 1 |
H7376-01 |
רֻטָּֽשָׁה | rutashah | HVPp3fs |
was dashed in pieces | was violently shattered | 1 |
H7376-04 |
יְרֻטָּ֔שׁוּ | yerutashu | HVPi3mp |
shall be dashed | they will be violently shattered | 1 |
H7376-02 |
תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה | teratashenah | HVpi3fp |
will dash to pieces | they will smash apart | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7376-03 |
2 Kings 8:12 | תְּרַטֵּ֔שׁ | teratesh | HVpi2ms |
you will dash | you will violently shatter |
H7376-05 |
Isaiah 13:16 | יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ | yeruteshu | HVPi3mp |
will be dashed to pieces | they will be smashed to pieces |
H7376-02 |
Isaiah 13:18 | תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה | teratashenah | HVpi3fp |
will dash to pieces | they will smash apart |
H7376-01 |
Hosea 10:14 | רֻטָּֽשָׁה | rutashah | HVPp3fs |
was dashed in pieces | was violently shattered |
H7376-04 |
Hosea 14:1 | יְרֻטָּ֔שׁוּ | yerutashu | HVPi3mp |
shall be dashed | they will be violently shattered |
H7376-05 |
Nahum 3:10 | יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ | yeruteshu | HVPi3mp |
were dashed in pieces | they will be smashed to pieces |