רָסִיס
properly, dripping to pieces, i.e. a ruin; also a dew-drop
Definition
The Hebrew word רָסִיס (râçîyç) carries two primary, contrasting meanings in the Old Testament. Its core sense is 'a fragment' or 'a ruin,' derived from the idea of something being shattered or dripping to pieces. This is vividly seen in Amos 6:11, where God threatens to smash a house into fragments (רָסִיס). Conversely, the word also poetically means 'a drop,' specifically a dew-drop. This beautiful, delicate image is used in Song of Solomon 5:2, where the beloved's head is described as 'drenched with dew, my locks with the drops (רָסִיס) of the night.' The word thus spans from destruction to delicate refreshment.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the Old Testament, in two very different contexts that illustrate its dual meaning. In Song of Solomon 5:2, it is used in a positive, romantic, and poetic context to describe dew-drops. In Amos 6:11, it is used in a prophetic oracle of judgment, describing the shattered ruins of a house as a symbol of God's coming punishment on the complacent in Israel. There is no pattern of usage across books, as each occurrence stands alone to highlight one specific sense of the word.
Etymology
רָסִיס is a noun derived from the root verb רָסַס (râsas, H7450), which means 'to moisten' or 'to drop.' From this root, the meaning developed in two directions: the concrete result of something that drips (a drop) and, by extension, the idea of something broken into many small, dropping pieces (a fragment or ruin). This connection between liquid drops and broken fragments is unique to this Hebrew word.
Semantic Range
The dual meaning of רָסִיס provides a powerful theological contrast. In Amos, it underscores the seriousness of God's judgment against sin and complacency, reducing human pride to ruins. In Song of Solomon, it reflects the gentle, refreshing, and life-giving aspects of love, which can be seen as a metaphor for God's nurturing care and the beauty of covenantal relationship. Understanding this range enriches reading by showing how a single word can connect themes of divine judgment and tender provision.
In an agrarian society like ancient Israel, dew was a critical, life-sustaining source of moisture, especially in the dry season. A 'dew-drop' (רָסִיס) was thus a potent symbol of blessing, refreshment, and vitality. Conversely, a house smashed into 'fragments' (רָסִיס) represented the ultimate in domestic and social ruin—the complete loss of security and identity. The modern reader may miss the visceral impact of both images without this cultural background.
טַל (ṭal, H2919) — The common word for 'dew' as a collective mass, whereas רָסִיס is an individual drop. שֶׁבֶר (shever, H7667) — A more general term for 'breakage,' 'fracture,' or 'calamity,' often on a larger scale than the small fragments implied by רָסִיס.
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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