רָטַשׁ (ra.tash)
ra.tash
to dash in pieces
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb raṭash describes the violent act of dashing something to pieces, often with a sense of crushing force. It appears only four times in the Old Testament, primarily in prophetic and historical books like Isaiah, II Kings, and Hosea. The word carries a heavy weight of destruction, depicting objects or people being smashed against a hard surface until they are broken beyond repair.
In its active form (Piel), it is used to describe God’s judgment or the actions of enemies inflicting severe damage. For instance, in II Kings 9:33, Jezebel is thrown from a window and dashing occurs as she falls. Similarly, Hosea 10:14 uses this imagery to depict the destruction of Israel’s fortresses, while Isaiah 14:6 speaks of striking down nations with relentless blows. The passive form (Pual) simply states that something has been dashed in pieces, emphasizing the finality of the ruin.
This term is not used for gentle breaking or natural decay but for sudden, forceful shattering. Its rarity in Scripture highlights the severity of the events it describes, often marking moments of divine retribution or catastrophic defeat. Translators typically render it as "dash to pieces" or "smash," preserving the raw physicality of the original text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word raṭash describes a violent shattering, often used in Scripture to depict the sudden and total destruction of enemies or the consequences of sin. In passages like Isaiah 13:16, it paints a grim picture of war’s brutality, where even infants are dashed in pieces. This imagery underscores the seriousness of judgment and the fragility of human strength when opposed to divine will.
Yet this word also serves as a sobering reminder that God is sovereign over history and justice. While the act of dashing in pieces signifies ruin, it highlights the reality that evil does not go unanswered. For believers, this truth offers comfort: no injustice is hidden, and God’s righteousness ultimately prevails over chaos and violence.
When we encounter such strong language, we are invited to reflect on our own reliance on God rather than worldly power. The destruction described here points us toward the need for a Savior who brings true peace—one that cannot be shattered by swords or storms.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will dash in pieces1×
- they will dash in pieces1×
- they will be dashed in pieces1×
- she was dashed in pieces1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּרַטַּ֑שְׁנָה1×
- תְּרַטֵּ֔שׁ1×
- רֻטָּֽשָׁה\׃1×
- יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 8:12
Hazael said, “Why do you weep, my lord?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel. You will set their strongholds on fire, and you will kill their young men with the sword, and will dash their little ones in pieces, and rip up their pregnant women.”
This verse highlights the horror of Hazael’s future cruelty, using raṭash to emphasize the complete devastation inflicted on Israel’s most vulnerable.
-
Isaiah 13:16
Their infants also will be dashed in pieces before their eyes. Their houses will be ransacked, and their wives raped.
Here, the word underscores the severity of Babylon’s judgment, showing how divine wrath can manifest through human agents in ways that shock the conscience.
-
Hosea 10:14
Therefore a battle roar will arise among your people, and all your fortresses will be destroyed, as Shalman destroyed Beth Arbel in the day of battle. The mother was dashed in pieces with her children.
The phrase 'the mother was dashed in pieces with her children' uses raṭash to illustrate the ultimate cost of Israel’s rebellion, linking national sin to personal tragedy.