רָצַץ (ra.tsats)
ra.tsats
to crush
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 17 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rāṣats describes a violent act of crushing or breaking something into pieces. Its core meaning is physical destruction, often involving forceful pressure that shatters an object or person. In the Old Testament, it appears in contexts ranging from military conquest to divine judgment, emphasizing the total nature of the defeat.
This word carries significant weight in prophetic literature, particularly in Isaiah, where it illustrates God’s power over nations and enemies. It is also used in historical narratives, such as Judges and Samuel, to depict the brutality of battle or the oppression of the weak by the strong. The term can describe literal crushing, like breaking bones, or metaphorical oppression, where the vulnerable are ground down by injustice.
A notable example occurs in Isaiah 63:2, where God’s garments are stained red from treading the winepress, a vivid image of rāṣats as divine retribution. The verb’s intensity underscores the seriousness of conflict and the finality of judgment. Translators often render it as “crush,” “break,” or “oppress,” depending on whether the context is physical or social.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word rāṣats describes a forceful crushing or breaking. In the Old Testament, it often appears in contexts of military defeat or divine judgment, showing how completely God can dismantle human power. Yet this same intensity reveals His care for the vulnerable. When He acts as a judge against oppressors, He is defending those who have been ground down by injustice.
For your faith, this word offers comfort in times of unfairness. It reminds us that God sees when the weak are crushed and that He will not let evil stand forever. Isaiah 42:3 shows His gentle side, promising He will not break a bruised reed. This balance teaches us that while God is powerful enough to crush enemies, He is also tender toward those who are hurting.
Trust in His justice. Whether you face personal struggles or see injustice in the world, remember that God’s strength is used to protect the brokenhearted. His judgment brings hope because it ensures that truth and mercy will finally prevail over oppression.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 17 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ crushed2×
- you have crushed/ us1×
- you crushed1×
- who/ crush1×
- so/ it may be crushed1×
- he will be crushed1×
- he has crushed1×
- have I crushed1×
- crushed [people]1×
- crushed1×
- and/ they struggled together1×
- and/ they crushed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/רָצ֤וּץ2×
- רָצוּץ֙1×
- רַצּוֹתָ֑/נוּ1×
- רַצּ֔וֹתִי1×
- רִ֭צַּצְתָּ1×
- רִ֭צַּץ1×
- רְצוּצִים֙1×
- רְצ֣וּץ1×
- יָר֔וּץ1×
- וַ/תָּ֖רִץ1×
- וַ/יִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ1×
- וַ/יְרֹֽצְצוּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 42:3
He won’t break a bruised reed. He won’t quench a dimly burning wick. He will faithfully bring justice.
This verse highlights God's gentleness, showing He will not crush the vulnerable but rather preserve them.
-
Amos 4:1
Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husbands, “Bring us drinks!”
Here the word describes the harsh treatment of the poor by the wealthy, emphasizing God's concern for social justice.
-
Isaiah 58:6
“Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
God uses this term to call His people to actively break yokes of oppression and set the afflicted free.
-
Hosea 5:11
Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment, because he is intent in his pursuit of idols.
This occurrence shows that spiritual idolatry leads to being crushed by judgment, linking moral failure with divine consequence.