Hebrew · H7462, G4166 · unreviewed

רָעָה

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) · a shepherd (literally or figuratively)

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

רָעָה H7462 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)

Pronunciation rō‘î

Shepherd metaphor foundational to kingship and covenantal care; moves from literal pasturing to ruling to companionship.

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ποιμήν G4166 a shepherd (literally or figuratively)

Pronunciation poimḗn

Shepherd metaphor emphasizes protective, personal care for a flock; applied to Christ and church leaders.

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What does רָעָה (raah) mean in the Bible?

רָעָה · ποιμήν is a Hebrew word meaning "to shepherd, guide, or care for a flock".

Full entry for רָעָה (H7462, G4166) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to shepherd, guide, or care for a flock

Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 80×

Participle active 1Kgs 22:17 · 1Sam 16:11 · 1Sam 17:34 · 1Sam 25:16 · 2Chr 18:16 · Exod 3:1 · Ezek 34:2 · Ezek 34:5 · Ezek 34:7 · Ezek 34:8 · Ezek 34:12 · Ezek 34:23 · Gen 4:2 · Gen 29:9 · Gen 30:36 · Gen 37:2 48×

Imperfect Ezek 34:2 · Ezek 34:10 · Isa 49:9 · Isa 65:25 · Mic 7:14 · Prov 10:21 · Zeph 3:13 · Ezek 34:23 · Isa 27:10 · Isa 30:23 · Isa 40:11 · Prov 15:14 · Ezek 34:14 · Ezek 34:15 · Gen 30:31 · Zech 11:9 25×

Sequential imperfect Mic 7:14 · Zech 11:4 · Gen 29:7 3×

Jussive Exod 34:3 · Jonah 3:7 2×

Perfect Ezek 34:8 · Jer 6:3 2×

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×

Perfect Judg 14:20 1×

Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 1×

Jussive Prov 22:24 1×

Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 82 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form

Participle 48 Imperfect 28 Perfect 3 Imperative 3

Stem

Qal 80 Piel 1 Hithpael 1

Mood

Indicative/jussive 21 Indicative/cohortative 4 Jussive 3 Indicative 3 Imperative 3

OT Occurrences

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 6 — Rejected Prophet, Sending Lord, Wilderness Shepherd, and Divine Son on the Sea Matthew 25 — Readiness, Stewardship, and the Final Judgment of the Son of Man Matthew 9 — Authority to Forgive, Mercy for Sinners, and Compassion for the Harvest

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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