עָרִיץ (a.rits)
a.rits
ruthless
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word aṛîṣ describes a person who is ruthless or tyrannical, characterized by a harsh and oppressive nature. In the Old Testament, it typically refers to rulers or powerful figures who use their strength without mercy, crushing the vulnerable rather than protecting them. The term carries a sense of terror-striking power, suggesting that such individuals inspire fear through their severity and lack of compassion.
This word appears fifteen times in Scripture, with significant usage in the books of Isaiah, Job, and Psalms. For instance, it is used to depict the oppressive behavior of foreign kings or corrupt leaders who exploit their position for personal gain. The sources highlight its connection to mightiness that has gone awry, where strength becomes an instrument of injustice rather than justice.
Its root conveys the idea of being awe-inspiring in a negative sense, striking terror into others through cruel actions. Translators often render it as "ruthless" or "tyrant," capturing the essence of someone who rules with an iron fist. This term serves as a stark contrast to the ideal of righteous leadership, which is marked by fairness and care for the weak.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for ruthless describes those who wield power without mercy, striking fear into others rather than offering protection. In Scripture, it stands as a sharp contrast to the character of God, who defends the poor and needy against such oppression. When we read about these figures in Job or Isaiah, we see that their strength is ultimately hollow, destined to fade like chaff before the wind.
For your faith, this offers deep comfort. You do not have to fear the final victory of those who seek to harm you. God sees the vulnerability of the oppressed and promises to act as a stronghold. Even when the world feels dominated by harsh rulers, His justice remains sure, ensuring that cruelty does not have the last word.
This truth invites us to rest in His protection rather than our own defenses. We can trust that God hears the cry of the vulnerable and will ultimately silence the noise of those who rule with an iron fist. Our hope rests not in human fairness, but in the steadfast character of the Lord.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- ruthless [people]8×
- ruthless3×
- for <the>/ ruthless [person]1×
- and/ ruthless [people]1×
- a ruthless [person]1×
- [the] ruthless person1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָרִיצִ֖ים3×
- עָרִ֖יץ2×
- עָרִצִֽים\׃\ \פ1×
- עָרִיצִ֣ים1×
- עָרִ֔יץ1×
- עָרִ֑יץ1×
- עָֽרִיצִ֖ים1×
- עָֽרִיצִ֔ים1×
- עָ֭רִיצִים1×
- עָ֝רִיצִ֗ים1×
- לֶ/עָרִֽיץ\׃1×
- וְ֝/עָרִיצִ֗ים1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 29:5
But the multitude of your foes will be like fine dust, and the multitude of the ruthless ones like chaff that blows away. Yes, it will be in an instant, suddenly.
This verse uses the term to depict ruthless foes as temporary dust, emphasizing their ultimate insignificance against God's power.
-
Job 6:23
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
Here the word describes oppressors from whom Job pleads for deliverance, highlighting the desperate need for divine rescue.
-
Isaiah 25:4
For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.
This passage contrasts God as a refuge for the poor against the destructive blast of the dreaded ones, showing His protective role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word aṛîṣ mean?
How is this word different from other terms for wickedness?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (15 verses across 5 books)
Job 3 verses
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
Job 15:20the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.
Job 27:13“This is the portion of a wicked man with God, the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty.