רִסָּה
Rissah, a place in the Desert
Definition
Rissah is a proper noun identifying one of the Israelites' wilderness encampments during the Exodus journey. It is listed as a stopping point between Libnah and Kehelathah in the itinerary recorded in Numbers 33:21-22. The name itself, derived from a root meaning 'to ruin' or 'to drip to pieces,' may describe the location's physical character, possibly as a place of crumbling rock or ruins. As a geographical marker, its primary significance is in documenting the specific route and stages of Israel's desert wanderings under God's guidance.
Biblical Usage
The word רִסָּה (Rissah) is used exclusively in the Old Testament within the context of the wilderness itinerary in Numbers 33. It appears only twice, in consecutive verses (Numbers 33:21, 22), functioning solely as a place-name in a list of stations. There is no narrative or descriptive usage beyond this catalog, indicating its role is purely geographical and historical within the record of the Exodus journey.
Etymology
The name Rissah comes from the Hebrew root רָסַס (rāsas, H7450), which means 'to moisten,' 'to drop,' or 'to crumble.' This root conveys the idea of something being broken down or dissolved, often translated as 'ruin.' Thus, the place was likely named for its physical appearance—perhaps a site marked by erosion, crumbling stone, or ruins, which was a common practice for naming locations in the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
While Rissah itself is a specific location, its inclusion in the detailed itinerary of Numbers 33 underscores the theme of God's faithful guidance and provision throughout Israel's wilderness period. Each named station, including Rissah, testifies to the historical reality and order of the Exodus, affirming that the journey was not aimless but directed by God. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting the meticulous care with which God's leadership and the fulfillment of His promises were recorded.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, place names were often descriptive of a location's physical features. Naming a stop 'Rissah' (ruin/dripping place) would immediately convey to travelers the kind of terrain or settlement they could expect. This practice turns a simple name into a piece of geographical data, helping to map and remember the arduous journey through the wilderness.
No direct synonyms as a proper place-name. For other wilderness stations, see: תַּחַת (Tachath, H8480) — another encampment; קְהֵלָתָה (Kehelathah, H6954) — the station following Rissah.
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 →