Hebrew · Strong's H7451
רַע
(rah)
adjective, noun
Used as an adjective, *raʿ* means bad, disagreeable, or malignant; as a noun, it refers to that which is evil, wicked, or harmful.
The Hebrew term *raʿ* carries a broad semantic range, encompassing various forms of \"badness\" or \"evil.\" It can describe physical or sensory unpleasantness, such as bad fruit or an unpleasant sound. More significantly, it frequently denotes moral evil, wickedness, and sin, referring to actions, intentions, or character that are contrary to God's will and righteousness. It also describes calamity, disaster, and suffering that can be a consequence of moral evil or a result of divine judgment, though not exclusively. The term highlights the stark contrast between good and evil established in biblical thought, emphasizing the destructive nature of all that opposes God's benevolent order. The concept of *raʿ* is foundational to understanding the moral and theological framework of the Old Testament. It underpins much of the prophetic critique of Israel's unfaithfulness and rebellion, as well as the wisdom literature's warnings against sinful behavior and its consequences. It is intricately connected to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where disobedience leads to *raʿ* in the form of divine punishment or national catastrophe. Understanding *raʿ* is crucial for grasping the biblical understanding of sin, judgment, and the need for redemption.
Common English renderings
- evil
- bad
- wicked
- calamity
- distress
- harm
- misfortune
Key verses
"And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith Jehovah."
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"if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them."
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"Evil pursueth sinners; But the righteous shall be recompensed with good."
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"then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them to death with stones; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor’s wife: so thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee."
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"Now therefore, behold, Jehovah hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets; and Jehovah hath spoken evil concerning thee."
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"But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee; therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies,"
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Related words