רֹק

רֹק

spittle

Definition

רֹק refers to spittle or saliva, specifically the physical substance produced in the mouth. In its three biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes literal spit. In Job 7:19, Job asks God, 'Will you not look away from me for a moment, long enough for me to swallow my spittle?'—a vivid expression for a brief respite. In Job 30:10, it describes the contempt shown to Job, as people 'do not refrain from spitting in my face.' In Isaiah 50:6, the suffering servant says, 'I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting,' portraying a profound gesture of humiliation and shame.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in poetic and prophetic contexts to convey intense personal suffering and degradation. All three uses are in wisdom and prophetic literature (Job and Isaiah). In Job, it illustrates both physical desperation (Job 7:19) and social contempt (Job 30:10). In Isaiah 50:6, it is part of the servant's voluntary submission to abuse, foretelling the Messiah's suffering. The usage pattern consistently associates spittle with humiliation, contempt, or extreme distress.

Etymology

Derived from the root רָקַק (rāqaq, H7556), meaning 'to spit.' This root itself is likely onomatopoeic, imitating the sound or action of spitting. The noun רֹק is the direct nominal form of this action, indicating the substance produced.

Semantic Range

While a simple physical substance, רֹק gains theological weight in its contexts. In Job, it highlights human fragility and the experience of unjust suffering. Most significantly, in Isaiah 50:6, it becomes a prophetic detail in the portrait of the suffering servant, foreshadowing the humiliation Jesus would endure (cf. Matthew 26:67, 27:30). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of these passages by connecting a visceral act of contempt to profound themes of substitutionary suffering and redemption. In the ancient Near East, spitting directly in someone's face or in their presence was a severe act of contempt, disgust, and public shaming. It was a deliberate gesture to dishonor and dehumanize an individual. This cultural understanding is essential for grasping the full force of its use in Job 30:10 and Isaiah 50:6, where it signifies the ultimate in personal insult and rejection, far beyond a mere physical act. None directly synonymous for 'spittle' as a noun. The related verb is רָקַק (rāqaq, H7556) — 'to spit,' describing the action that produces רֹק.

Word Details