רָזוֹן
a dignitary
Definition
The Hebrew noun רָזוֹן (râzôwn) refers to a person of high status, specifically a dignitary, ruler, or prince. It denotes an individual who holds authority and commands respect within a community or nation. The word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 14:28, where it is used in the plural to describe 'a multitude of dignitaries' (or 'princes') as a key component of a king's glory. This singular usage emphasizes the concept of noble leadership as foundational to a nation's honor and stability.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Proverbs 14:28. In this context, it appears in the plural form ('dignitaries' or 'princes') within a wisdom saying that contrasts a king's glory with the ruin of his people. The usage is proverbial and focuses on the relationship between a ruler and the noble class that supports his reign, highlighting their collective role in national prosperity.
Etymology
רָזוֹן (râzôwn) is derived from the root רָזַן (rāzan, H7336), which means 'to be weighty, commanding, or noble.' This root conveys the idea of gravitas and authority. The noun form specifically denotes the person who embodies this weighty, ruling quality. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, also point to meanings associated with leadership and princehood.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word contributes to the biblical theology of leadership and governance. It underscores that godly authority and noble leadership are gifts from God and are integral to the well-being of a people (Proverbs 14:28). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Proverbs by connecting a king's 'glory' not merely to personal power but to the presence of righteous and competent officials, reflecting the importance of just societal structures.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a 'dignitary' (râzôwn) would have been a high-ranking official or noble, often part of a royal court or ruling class. Such figures were essential for administration, justice, and military leadership. Their presence signified a stable, organized kingdom. This cultural understanding differs from some modern, more democratic concepts of leadership, as authority was inherently tied to a hierarchical and often hereditary social structure.
שַׂר (śar, H8269) — a broader term for official, commander, or chief, often of a lower rank or specific domain. נָגִיד (nāgîd, H5057) — a leader, ruler, or prince, often with a focus on being appointed or prominent. מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — specifically a king, the supreme ruler.
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.
Full methodology & sources →