רִיק (ruq)
ruq
to empty
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew word ruq describes the act of making something empty or pouring it out. In the Hiphil stem, it carries the force of actively keeping a vessel or person in a state of lack. This usage appears prominently in Jeremiah, where God declares He will "empty out" the cup of wrath upon the nations (Jeremiah 25:15). The image is physical and immediate: liquid being drained from a container until nothing remains.
Its range extends beyond simple emptiness to include hunger. When applied to people, it signifies being left without sustenance or support. This nuance connects well with verses like Genesis 41:7, where the thin heads of grain represent a harvest that has been effectively emptied of its promise. The word does not merely describe an absence; it describes the result of a draining process.
Translators often render ruq as "empty," "pour out," or "make empty" depending on context. Its theological weight lies in its agency: something is being emptied by an external force, whether that be divine judgment or natural consequence. The word captures the stark reality of loss, leaving the reader with a clear picture of what it means to be drained of content.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word ruq describes the active process of emptying, whether it is liquid draining from a vessel or resources being drained from a person. In Scripture, this imagery often highlights a stark reality: something is being removed by an external force. It is not merely a state of absence but the result of a draining action. This can be seen in moments of judgment where sustenance is taken away, leaving people without support.
Yet, this concept also appears in contexts of provision and blessing. When God speaks of pouring out blessings, He uses similar imagery of filling what was previously empty. The word reminds us that our circumstances are often shaped by forces beyond our control. Whether facing loss or receiving grace, the image of an emptied vessel invites us to trust in who holds the source.
In your own life, you may encounter seasons where resources feel drained or support seems distant. These moments can be difficult, but they also offer space for reflection. The Bible does not shy away from describing emptiness; instead, it places it within a larger narrative of God’s sovereignty. You are invited to rest in the truth that no situation is beyond His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will he empty1×
- which/ are pouring out1×
- they will pour [it] out1×
- they will empty out1×
- it has been poured1×
- by/ keeping empty1×
- and/ he drew out1×
- and/ draw out1×
- and/ I will pour out1×
- and/ I will draw1×
- [which] it is poured out1×
- [were] emptying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָרִ֔יקוּ2×
- וַ/הֲרִיקֹתִ֥י2×
- תּוּרַ֣ק1×
- מְרִיקִ֣ים1×
- לְ/הָרִיק֙1×
- יָרִ֣יק1×
- וַ/יָּ֨רֶק1×
- וְ/הָ֘רֵ֤ק1×
- הוּרַ֤ק1×
- הַֽ/מְרִיקִ֥ים1×
- אָרִ֣יק1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 48:12
Therefore behold, the days come,” says Yahweh, “that I will send to him those who pour off, and they will pour him off; and they will empty his vessels, and break their containers in pieces.
This verse uses ruq to describe God’s judgment on Moab, where vessels are emptied and broken, illustrating the complete removal of stability and security.
-
Genesis 42:35
As they emptied their sacks, behold, each man’s bundle of money was in his sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.
Here, the brothers empty their sacks and find money returned, showing how ruq can reveal hidden provisions that bring both fear and recognition of God’s hand.
-
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be enough room for.
God invites Israel to test Him by pouring out blessings until there is no room for them, using the imagery of fullness to contrast with previous emptiness.