The meaning of “רָעָה”
Understanding râʻâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, ...
רָעָה
[idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste. - to tend a flock - i.e. pasture it - intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively) - generally to rule - by extension, to associate with (as a friend) 1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tend, pasture 1a1a) to shepherd 1a1b) of ruler, teacher (fig) 1a1c) of people as flock (fig) 1a1d) shepherd, herdsman (subst) 1a2) to feed, graze 1a2a) of cows, sheep etc (literal) 1a2b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig) 1b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess 2) to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable) 2a) (Qal) to associate with 2b) (Hithpael) to be companions 3) (Piel) to be a special friend
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 37:12 | “And his brethren went to feed their father’s flock in Shechem.” Word: רָעָה (râʻâh) | |
| 1 Samuel 17:40 | “And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.” Word: רָעָה (râʻâh) | |
| 2 Chronicles 18:16 | “Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.” Word: רָעָה (râʻâh) | |
| Ecclesiastes 12:11 | “The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.” Word: רָעָה (râʻâh) | |
| Ezekiel 34:13 | “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.” Word: רָעָה (râʻâh) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Shepherd
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Shepherd, pastor
The Hebrew ro'eh (רֹעֶה) means shepherd—one who tends and protects a flock. 'The LORD is my shepherd' (Psalm 23:1), and God promised to raise up shepherds who would feed His people (Jeremiah 23:4).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Shepherd, pastor
The Greek poimen (ποιμήν) means shepherd. Jesus declared 'I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep' (John 10:11). Church leaders are called to shepherd God's flock (1 Peter 5:2).