רָזָה
to emaciate, i.e. make (become) thin (literally or figuratively)
Definition
The Hebrew verb רָזָה (râzâh) describes the process of becoming or making something thin, lean, or emaciated. It can be used in a literal, physical sense to describe the wasting away of the body due to famine or lack (Isaiah 17:4). Figuratively, it portrays a state of being diminished, weakened, or stripped of power and glory, as seen when applied to nations or peoples (Zephaniah 2:11). In both uses, the core idea is a reduction from a former state of robustness or fullness to one of leanness and deficiency.
Biblical Usage
This verb appears only twice in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 17:4, it is used literally, prophesying that 'the glory of Jacob will be made thin' (רָזָה), depicting the physical and national decline of Israel. In Zephaniah 2:11, it is used figuratively, stating that the Lord will 'famish' or 'make lean' (רָזָה) all the gods of the earth, meaning He will utterly diminish their perceived power and influence, leaving them as nothing. Both instances occur in prophetic contexts of divine judgment.
Etymology
רָזָה is a primitive root. It is related to the adjective רָזֶה (râzeh), meaning 'thin' or 'lean'. While not having many direct cognates, it shares a conceptual field with words for diminishing, consuming, and wasting away. Its meaning is straightforward, focusing on the process or result of becoming emaciated.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is used by the prophets to illustrate God's judgment. The 'leanness' it describes is a direct consequence of turning away from God, whether through idolatry or covenant unfaithfulness. In Isaiah 17:4, it signifies the loss of national glory; in Zephaniah 2:11, it shows the absolute supremacy of Yahweh over all false gods. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting that divine judgment can involve a stripping away of strength, vitality, and false security, reducing what was once proud to a state of weakness.
In an ancient agrarian society, leanness was directly associated with famine, poverty, and vulnerability. A lean animal or a thin person was visibly lacking the resources needed for health and survival. This tangible reality made the word a powerful metaphor for spiritual and national decline. When prophets declared that God would 'make lean,' their audience immediately understood it as a threat of severe deprivation and loss of status.
כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to be or become lean, often of animals; can imply failure or disappointment. דַּל (dal, H1800) — an adjective meaning poor, weak, or thin; focuses more on the lowly state than the process of becoming so. רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7456) — to be hungry or famished; emphasizes the cause (hunger) rather than the result (leanness).
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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