טוּשׂ (tu.s)
tu.s
to dart
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tuṣ means to dart, rush, or flutter with sudden speed. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 9:26, where it describes the fleeting nature of life. The word captures a sharp, rapid movement, suggesting something that passes by too quickly to be grasped.
In its single occurrence, Job uses this image to express his despair over how swiftly days vanish. He compares his time on earth to a reed boat or a weaver’s shuttle, both of which move with a swift, darting motion. This vivid metaphor highlights the fragility and brevity of human existence from Job’s perspective.
Because it is so rare, the word carries significant weight in its context. Translators often render it as "pass away" or "fly by," but the underlying sense of rapid, darting movement remains important for understanding Job’s emotional state. The choice of this specific verb emphasizes not just speed, but the uncontrollable, sudden nature of life’s passage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Life often feels like it is slipping through our fingers before we can truly hold onto it. The Hebrew word tuṣ captures this sensation with striking precision, describing a sudden dart or swift rush that leaves little time for reflection. When Job uses this imagery, he is not speaking in abstract philosophy but in the raw language of human vulnerability. He sees his days vanishing like a reed boat speeding down a river or a weaver’s shuttle flying back and forth with relentless momentum.
This vivid picture reminds us that our time on earth is both fragile and fleeting. It does not ask us to panic about the speed of life, but rather to recognize the preciousness of each moment. In seasons where everything seems to be moving too fast, there is comfort in knowing that God sees the brevity of our days just as clearly as we do.
Even when life feels uncontrollable, we are invited to rest in the One who holds time itself. The suddenness of our passage does not diminish our value; instead, it highlights the importance of leaning on divine strength during moments of uncertainty and change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [which] it rushes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָט֥וּשׂ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 9:26
They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.
This verse uses tuṣ to compare life's passage to swift ships and a swooping eagle, emphasizing the uncontrollable speed at which days vanish.