רָזַם (ra.zam)
ra.zam
to flash
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rāzam appears only once in the Old Testament, in Job 41:18, where it describes the terrifying power of Leviathan. In this context, the word means to flash or emit a sudden burst of light, specifically referring to the creature’s eyes. The image is not one of gentle blinking but of intense, radiant beams shooting forth from the depths.
This rare usage highlights the sheer awe-inspiring nature of the beast in Job’s poetic description. Translators often render it as "flash" or "sparkle," capturing the visual impact of light reflecting off or emanating from the eyes. The word emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the gaze, contributing to the overall portrait of a creature that defies human control.
Its solitary occurrence makes rāzam a unique lexical item in biblical Hebrew. It serves as a vivid metaphor for divine power manifested through creation, reminding readers of the mystery and majesty inherent in the natural world as described in Scripture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew verb rāzam appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 41:18 where it describes the terrifying power of Leviathan. It means to flash or emit a sudden burst of light, specifically referring to the creature’s eyes. The image is not one of gentle blinking but of intense, radiant beams shooting forth from the depths.
This rare usage highlights the sheer awe-inspiring nature of the beast in Job’s poetic description. Translators often render it as "flash" or "sparkle," capturing the visual impact of light reflecting off or emanating from the eyes. The word emphasizes the intensity and suddenness of the gaze, contributing to the overall portrait of a creature that defies human control.
Its solitary occurrence makes rāzam a unique lexical item in biblical Hebrew. It serves as a vivid metaphor for divine power manifested through creation, reminding readers of the mystery and majesty inherent in the natural world as described in Scripture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do they flash/ !1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִּרְזְמ֥וּ/ן1×
Key Verses
-
Job 15:12
Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash,
This verse uses the word to describe eyes flashing with pride or anger, showing its application beyond physical light to intense emotional expression.