Ruhamah
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Ruhamah in the Bible?
Ruhamah is a Hebrew name meaning 'shown mercy' or 'pitied.' In the biblical Book of Hosea, it is the name assigned to the prophet's daughter.
SIGNIFICANCE
The name serves as a literary device to symbolize a shift from divine judgment to restoration within the narrative. It illustrates the use of symbolic naming to convey theological themes in ancient Near Eastern texts.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Ruhamah. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Ruhamah in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ruhamah clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Ruhamah." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/ruhamah/