רָזִי

רָזִי

thinness

Definition

The Hebrew noun רָזִי (râzîy) means 'thinness' or 'leanness,' describing a state of being emaciated or lacking substance. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 24:16, where it is used metaphorically to depict a condition of spiritual or moral depletion. In this prophetic context, the 'leanness' is not merely physical but symbolizes the withering and desolation that comes upon the earth due to judgment. The term conveys a sense of being reduced, weakened, or made insubstantial.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only in Isaiah 24:16. It occurs in a prophetic oracle of global judgment, where the prophet laments, 'From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I said, 'I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!' Terror and pit and snare await you, people of the earth.' The 'leanness' or 'wasting away' (as some translations render it) expresses the prophet's own anguish and the devastating effect of the described judgment, linking emotional and physical desolation.

Etymology

רָזִי (râzîy) is derived from the root רָזָה (râzâh, H7329), which means 'to be or become lean, thin, or emaciated.' This root itself conveys the idea of being made slender or reduced. The noun form captures the resultant state from that action. Cognate words in related Semitic languages also carry meanings associated with thinness or scarcity.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, רָזִי carries theological weight in its context. In Isaiah 24, it contributes to the theme of covenant curse and universal judgment for sin. The 'leanness' reflects the opposite of God's blessing of abundance and fertility (e.g., Deuteronomy 28). It signifies the holistic consequence of rebellion—a wasting away that affects the land, the body, and the spirit. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Isaiah's prophecy by highlighting the profound connection between human sin and cosmic decay. In an ancient agrarian society, 'leanness' or 'thinness' was a direct threat to survival, indicating famine, poor health, or lack of livestock. It was a visible sign of curse, poverty, or divine disfavor, contrasting sharply with the cultural ideal of plenitude and strength. The metaphorical use in Isaiah would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the tangible hardships of scarcity. רָזוֹן (râzôn, H7332) — A synonym also meaning 'leanness' or 'scantiness,' used in Habakkuk 3:17 to describe failing fig trees and empty stalls, emphasizing lack of produce. דַּל (dal, H1800) — Means 'thin, weak, poor, or lowly,' often describing economically or physically impoverished people (e.g., Exodus 30:15).

Word Details