עוּר (ur)
ur
to rouse
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 52 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ur means to rouse oneself or to awaken, carrying a sense of sudden energy and alertness. It describes more than simply opening one’s eyes; it implies moving from a state of rest or passivity into active engagement. This word appears across various contexts, from literal waking from sleep to spiritual or national stirring.
In the Psalms, ur takes on a striking theological role when directed toward God. Psalm 44:24 pleads, "Awake! Why do you sleep, O Lord?" Here, the verb challenges divine inaction, urging God to rise and intervene. Similarly, Isaiah 51:9 calls on Zion’s arm to awake and clothe itself with strength, framing the word as a call for decisive power in moments of crisis.
The root likely connects to the idea of opening the eyes or becoming alert, distinguishing it from words that merely mean "to rise." Its usage in Song of Solomon 5:2 ("Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away") shows its application to personal affection and readiness. Translators often render it as "awake," "stir up," or "rouse," depending on whether the subject is human, divine, or metaphorical.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ur carries more than just the idea of opening your eyes after sleep. It describes a sudden stirring, a move from passivity into active engagement. When Scripture uses this verb, it often points to a moment where rest turns into readiness. You might see this in the image of an eagle rousing her nest, pushing her young to fly, or in the plea for God to wake up and act on behalf of His people.
In your own life, this word invites you to notice when God is stirring something within you. It may be a call to courage, like Deborah being urged to rise, or a gentle awakening of love that should not be forced but allowed to mature in its own time. Rather than remaining stuck in sleep or hesitation, ur encourages a shift toward action and awareness.
This stirring is not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it is the quiet movement of God’s spirit in your heart, prompting you to take the next step. Whether it is a call to lead, to forgive, or simply to pay attention, this word reminds us that God often wakes us up for a purpose. It is an invitation to respond with alertness and trust.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 52 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- awake12×
- he wielded3×
- and/ he stirred up3×
- [am] about to rouse3×
- you will awaken2×
- you will arouse2×
- they will be roused2×
- rouse yourself2×
- it will be roused2×
- he will stir up2×
- he stirred up2×
- he awakens2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָעִ֣יר4×
- תָּעִ֧ירוּ\׀3×
- עוּרִ֤י3×
- הֵעִ֣יר3×
- תְּעֽוֹרְר֛וּ2×
- עוֹרֵ֣ר2×
- ע֖וּרִי2×
- יֵע֖וֹר2×
- תְּעוֹרֵ֣ר1×
- תְּעֹֽרְר֛וּ1×
- עוּרִי֙1×
- עוּרִ֨י1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 32:11
As an eagle that stirs up her nest, that flutters over her young, he spread abroad his wings, he took them, he bore them on his feathers.
This verse uses the word to describe God’s gentle but firm stirring of His people, comparing it to an eagle rousing its nestlings to fly.
-
Psalms 78:38
But he, being merciful, forgave iniquity, and didn’t destroy them. Yes, many times he turned his anger away, and didn’t stir up all his wrath.
Here the verb shows that God does not always stir up His wrath, highlighting His mercy in choosing restraint over judgment.
-
Song of Solomon 2:7
I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.
The text warns against stirring up love prematurely, teaching that divine affection follows its own perfect timing rather than human urgency.