ruts denotes swift movement, especially people running toward, after, or ahead of someone or something.

The dominant use depicts persons or animals moving swiftly, whether approaching an encounter, pursuing someone, carrying news, or moving ahead of a king. In several participial contexts, the term identifies runners attached to royal guard or courier activity; the supplied Hiphil forms show swift transfer or removal.

1. Swift movement toward or after a goal · dominant

   The Qal forms describe direct, rapid movement: David hastens toward the Philistine in 1 Samuel 17:48, Gehazi goes after Naaman in 2 Kings 5:21, and Ahimaaz overtakes another messenger in 2 Samuel 18:23. The movement may be toward a person or destination, as in 1 Kings 19:20 and Genesis 24:28; in Isaiah 59:7, the APB renders the clause "Their feet run toward evil."

   1 Samuel 17:482 Kings 5:212 Samuel 18:231 Kings 19:20Genesis 24:28Isaiah 59:7
2. Runners in royal guard or courier service · common

   Plural Qal active participles occur for groups connected with royal service. In 1 Kings 1:5 the APB describes fifty men who "run before" Adonijah, while 2 Chronicles 30:6 presents couriers carrying the king's letters; in 2 Kings 10:25, the same participial form occurs among those acting on Jehu's command.

   1 Kings 1:51 Kings 14:271 Samuel 22:172 Chronicles 30:62 Chronicles 30:102 Kings 10:25
3. Causing swift removal or delivery · rare

   The supplied Hiphil forms describe making something move quickly in differing contexts. In 2 Chronicles 35:13, the APB says the portions were carried "quickly" to the people; in Jeremiah 49:19, the speaker says, "I will suddenly disturb him and drive him away."

   2 Chronicles 35:13Jeremiah 49:19

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly uses "ran," "running," or "runners," and also uses "charged," "rushes," and "quickly" in particular clauses. These renderings show the verses' presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent for every form.