רוּם (rum)
rum
to rise
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rum means to rise or be lifted up, appearing in only three verses within the entire Bible, all located in the book of Daniel. Its core sense is physical elevation, but it frequently carries a metaphorical weight regarding status or power. In the Piel stem, it describes something being extolled or praised, while the Hiphil form indicates causing someone to be exalted.
A key distinction lies in its reflexive use, the Hithpolel stem, where the subject lifts itself up against another. This usage highlights a contrast between divine authority and human arrogance. In Daniel 4:37, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God is the one who exalts whom He wills, implicitly contrasting His sovereign power with his own previous attempt to lift himself up in pride.
The word’s rarity makes its occurrences in Daniel particularly significant for understanding the book’s themes of sovereignty. It underscores the biblical pattern where earthly powers rise and fall according to divine decree. The term serves as a linguistic marker for the tension between human ambition and God’s ultimate control over history and kingdoms.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rum describes the act of rising or being lifted up. In Daniel, it tracks how God handles human pride. Nebuchadnezzar’s story shows that when people try to elevate themselves above God, they lose their standing. But when they recognize God’s authority, He restores them.
This word reminds us that true height comes from humility. We do not need to fight for status or prove our worth. God sees our hearts and knows when we are trying to stand on our own strength. Instead, we can rest in His care, knowing He lifts up the humble and brings down the proud.
When life feels unstable, remember that God holds the throne. Our security does not depend on our own power or position, but on His faithful rule. We can face each day with peace, trusting that He will guide our steps and keep us steady in His love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you have lifted yourself up1×
- lifting up1×
- it rose up1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִ֣ם1×
- מָרִ֔ים1×
- הִתְרוֹמַ֡מְתָּ1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him.
This verse uses the word to describe Nebuchadnezzar's internal state of pride, showing how a lifted heart leads directly to his loss of kingdom.
-
Daniel 5:23
but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.
Here the word highlights the specific act of rebellion, where the king lifts himself up against the Lord of heaven by using sacred vessels for idolatry.
-
Daniel 5:19
Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to.
This occurrence shows the flip side, where God is the one who raises up rulers, contrasting human ambition with divine sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word rum mean?
Why is this word only found in Daniel?
How does rum relate to pride?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He…
Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly…
Daniel 5:23but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and…