רוּם
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
Definition
The verb רוּם (rûwm) fundamentally means 'to be high' or 'to rise,' encompassing both literal and figurative senses. Literally, it describes physical elevation, such as the rising of floodwaters (Genesis 7:17) or lifting up an object (Genesis 31:45). Figuratively, it is central to concepts of exaltation and pride, used for lifting up one's heart in arrogance (Ezekiel 28:2, 5) or for the exaltation of God and His name (Psalm 99:5, Isaiah 12:4). It also applies to raising a sound or voice, as in a loud cry (Isaiah 42:11).
Biblical Usage
This verb appears across the entire Old Testament, from narrative to poetry. In historical books, it often describes literal lifting or height (e.g., raising a standard in Isaiah 13:2). In the Psalms and Prophets, it is heavily used for the exaltation of Yahweh (Psalm 97:9) and, conversely, for human pride that God opposes (Proverbs 16:5). A key pattern is its use in the Hiphil stem to mean 'to exalt' or 'to lift up' someone else, whether God exalting a king (1 Samuel 2:10) or a person exalting their own heart in presumption.
Etymology
A primitive root, רוּם is related to the basic idea of height. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages with similar meanings. It is the root for nouns like רָם (rām, 'high, exalted') and רוּם (rûm, 'height, exaltation'), showing how the verbal action solidifies into states and abstract qualities.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant for understanding both divine majesty and human sin. God's exaltation (רוּם) establishes His supreme kingship and worthiness of praise. Conversely, when humans 'lift themselves up,' it represents the pride that leads to rebellion and downfall, a major theme in the Prophets. The tension between God lifting up the humble and opposing the proud is central to biblical theology. Understanding this Hebrew root enriches reading by connecting diverse passages about height, promotion, and pride to this core concept.
In an ancient Near Eastern context, height and lifting were powerful metaphors for power, authority, and visibility. To 'lift the hand' was a solemn oath gesture (Genesis 14:22). Exaltation was not just an internal feeling but a public status change. The concept of a 'high heart' (pride) was understood as an inflated, elevated condition of the inner self, leading to observable behavior.
נָשָׂא (nāśā', H5375) — often 'to lift, carry, bear'; can overlap with רוּם in 'lifting up,' but נָשָׂא more frequently implies bearing a load or taking away. עָלָה (ʿālâ, H5927) — primarily 'to go up, ascend'; focuses on the motion of ascent itself, while רוּם focuses more on the state or result of being high. גָּבַהּ (gāḇah, H1361) — 'to be high, exalted'; a close synonym, often used in parallel with רוּם, sometimes emphasizing loftiness or haughtiness.
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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