The ruthless oppressor or tyrant β one who terrifies by violence and treats others with brutal contempt.
The Hebrew arits (from arats, to be terrifying/dreadful) describes the violent, ruthless oppressor. It appears in Isaiah where 'the ruthless (aritsim) will vanish' (Isaiah 29:20), where the godly ask 'Where is the one who terrorized us?' (Isaiah 33:18), and where God promises that the arits will no longer be feared (Isaiah 49:25). Ezekiel uses it for the princes of Israel who have been 'like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows.'
The arits represents the domination system that crushes the vulnerable β the tyrant, the violent landlord, the ruthless creditor. Isaiah 29:20 promises eschatological reversal: 'The ruthless (arits) will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down.' This is the Magnificat's logic (Luke 1:51-53): the mighty are brought down, the humble lifted up. The oppressor's power is real but temporary. The God of Psalm 72 β who defends the poor, crushes the oppressor β will be the final Judge of every arits.