טוּשׂ
to pounce as a bird of prey
Definition
The Hebrew verb טוּשׂ (ṭûws) means to dart or swoop down swiftly, like a bird of prey pouncing on its target. It conveys a sense of rapid, aggressive, and decisive movement. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 9:26, it is used metaphorically to describe the swift, unstoppable passage of life, which 'swoops away' like an eagle diving for its prey. There are no other major senses or differing meanings in other passages, as it appears only once.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the poetic book of Job. It appears in Job 9:26, where Job laments the brevity and speed of his suffering life, saying it passes 'like swift ships' or, in some translations, 'like an eagle that swoops on the prey.' The context is a metaphorical description of life's fleeting, uncontrollable nature, using the vivid imagery of a rapid, predatory descent.
Etymology
טוּשׂ is a primitive root in Hebrew, meaning it is not derived from another Hebrew word. Its core meaning relates to darting or rushing. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic, suggest a sense of leaping or springing, which aligns with the concept of a sudden, forceful movement.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word enriches the theological theme of human transience and God's sovereignty in Job. It paints a powerful picture of life's fragility and speed, contrasting mortal existence with God's eternal, unchanging nature. Understanding this vivid Hebrew imagery deepens the reader's appreciation for Job's lament and the book's exploration of suffering and divine perspective.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the eagle or bird of prey was a common symbol of speed, power, and inevitability. The metaphor in Job 9:26 would have been immediately understood by an ancient audience as depicting something unstoppable and swift, much like a raptor's deadly, precise dive. This differs from a modern, more abstract understanding of 'haste.'
עוּף (ʿûf, H5774) — a more general term for flying or fluttering. טוּשׂ specifies the aggressive, diving motion of a bird of prey, while עוּף can describe any flight.
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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