רִיר (rir)
rir
spittle
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rir refers to the slimy fluid produced in the mouth, commonly translated as "spittle." It describes a tangible, bodily substance rather than an abstract concept, grounding its meaning in physical reality. The word appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, located in the book of Job.
In Job 30:30, the protagonist uses this term to describe his own condition after immense suffering: "My skin turns black and peels from me, and my body burns with heat... My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness." Here, rir likely refers to the saliva that mixes with tears or the general discarding of bodily fluids as a sign of extreme distress and humiliation. The image is visceral, highlighting how Job’s physical state has become repulsive and broken.
While the word itself is simple, its singular occurrence carries significant weight. It underscores the depth of Job’s degradation, where even his own body seems to reject him. Translators must choose between "spittle," "saliva," or "slime" to capture this specific, unglamorous aspect of human suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rir appears only once in Scripture, found in Job 30:30 where it describes spittle or saliva. Job uses this visceral image to express his profound physical and emotional breakdown. It is a raw depiction of suffering that strips away dignity and leaves one feeling exposed and broken.
When you face seasons of deep pain, it can feel as though your own body has turned against you. This single word reminds us that God sees the messy, unglamorous reality of human suffering. He does not ask us to hide our tears or pretend we are fine when we are not.
Your struggles are known to Him in their entirety. Even in your most vulnerable moments, you are seen and held by a God who understands pain. There is comfort in knowing that your deepest cries do not go unnoticed, but are brought before the One who cares for every detail of your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ [the] slime of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/רִ֣יר1×