קוּם
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Definition
The Hebrew verb קוּם (qûwm) is a versatile root meaning 'to rise' or 'to stand.' Its primary sense is physical rising, such as getting up from sleep (Genesis 28:18) or standing to one's feet (1 Samuel 20:41). Figuratively, it extends to concepts of establishment and permanence, as when God 'confirms' or 'establishes' a covenant (Genesis 6:18, Genesis 17:7). In a hostile context, it can mean to 'rise up against' someone (Genesis 4:8). Causatively (Hiphil stem), it means to 'raise up' or 'set up,' such as raising children (Ruth 4:15) or setting up an altar (Genesis 35:1).
Biblical Usage
קוּם appears nearly 600 times across all Old Testament genres. It is common in narrative for physical actions like rising, standing, or departing (e.g., Genesis 19:2, 1 Kings 19:5). In legal and covenantal contexts, it denotes the establishment or confirmation of oaths, laws, and promises (e.g., Genesis 9:9, Deuteronomy 27:26). Prophetic books use it for God raising up leaders, nations, or actions (e.g., Jeremiah 23:5, Amos 5:2). The intensive (Piel) and causative (Hiphil) stems frequently appear with objects like altars, cities, or testimony to indicate their erection or validation.
Etymology
קוּם is a primitive root, meaning its origin is not derived from another Hebrew verb. It is part of a common Semitic root (q-w-m) found in cognate languages like Aramaic and Arabic, consistently carrying the core idea of rising or standing. Its broad semantic range in Hebrew developed from this basic physical action to encompass metaphorical senses of establishment, confirmation, and opposition.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is central to the language of covenant. God's promises are often described as being 'established' or 'confirmed' (קוּם), highlighting their unchanging and reliable nature (Genesis 17:7, 2 Samuel 7:25). It is also key in messianic prophecy, describing the future king whom God will 'raise up' (Jeremiah 23:5). Understanding its range—from physical resurrection to the establishment of God's eternal purposes—enriches readings of God's faithfulness, human agency, and divine intervention throughout Scripture.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the act of 'rising' was often a formal gesture of respect, readiness for action, or assumption of authority. To 'rise up against' someone implied a deliberate, often public, challenge to their position. The concept of a word, law, or covenant 'standing' or being 'established' conveyed a legal permanence and inviolability that was deeply rooted in societal understandings of oath and testimony.
עמד (ʿāmad, H5975) — focuses more on the state of standing still or taking a stand. נצב (nāṣaḇ, H5324) — emphasizes taking a firm, appointed station or position. שׂים (śîm, H7760) — means to put, set, or place, focusing on the act of positioning rather than the state of being raised.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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