רָטַב

to be moist

Definition

The Hebrew verb רָטַב (râṭab) means 'to be moist' or 'to be wet.' It describes a state of dampness or being saturated with liquid. In its single biblical occurrence in Job 24:8, it is used to depict the condition of people who, lacking shelter, are 'wet' or 'drenched' by the rain. The word conveys a physical state of exposure to the elements, emphasizing vulnerability and discomfort. No other distinct semantic senses are attested in the biblical corpus.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the Old Testament, in the book of Job. It appears in Job 24:8 as part of a description of the oppressed and poor who are forced to live exposed to harsh weather: 'They are wet (רָטַב) with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.' The usage is purely descriptive, highlighting a physical consequence of poverty and injustice within the context of Job's discourse on suffering.

Etymology

רָטַב is considered a primitive root in Hebrew. It is related to the adjective רָטֹב (rāṭōb, H7371), meaning 'moist' or 'fresh,' as seen in Judges 16:7-8 regarding 'fresh' bowstrings. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Arabic (raṭiba, 'to be moist'), confirming its core meaning related to wetness or dampness.

Semantic Range

In the ancient Near Eastern context, being 'wet' or exposed to rain was a significant hardship, especially for those without adequate shelter. It represented a lack of basic protection and social marginalization. The imagery in Job 24:8 uses this physical discomfort to powerfully illustrate the plight of the destitute, for whom even the natural elements become a source of suffering.

רָטֹב (rāṭōb, H7371) — The related adjective meaning 'moist' or 'fresh,' describing a state rather than the action of becoming wet.

Word Details

Scripture References