JEHOVAH RAAH: Old Testament Names of God

רָעָה

(yeh-ho-vaw' raw-aw') The Lord My Shepherd

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) is used in Psalm 23.

Transliteration: rāʿâ

Pronunciation: raw-aw'

Part of Speech: verb

Root Word (Etymology): A primitive root TWOT Reference: 2185,2186

Variant spellings: Jehovah Rohi; Jehovah Ro'eh

TWOT Reference: 2185, 2186

Strong's Reference: H7462

KJV Translation Count — Total: 173x

The KJV translates Strong's H7462 in the following manner: feed (75x), shepherd (63x), pastor (8x), herdmen (7x), keep (3x), companion (2x), broken (1x), company (1x), devour (1x), eat (1x), entreateth (1x), miscellaneous (10x).

Jehovah-Raah in the Septuagint: kurios poimainei me - the Lord shepherds me

Meaning and Derivation: Jehovah is translated as The Existing One or Lord. The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning to be or to exist. It also suggests to become or specifically to become known - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô'eh from which Raah derived, means shepherd in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Ezekiel 34:11-15). A translation of this word, rea', is friend or companion. This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Raah - it can be translated as The Lord my Friend.

Strong’s Definitions רָעָה râʻâh, raw-aw'; a primitive root; 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):—× break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon

STRONGS H7462: I. רָעָה 167 verb pasture, tend, graze (Assyrian rê’û, verb pasture, noun ruler, Tel Amarna ruḫi (as Canaanism) WklNo. 181, 11; Arabic , Ethiopic Aramaic רְעָא, , all = Biblical Hebrew); — Qal Perfect 3rd person masculine plural consecutive וְרָעָה Micah 5:3 +, 1st person singular suffix consecutive זּרְעִיתִים Ezekiel 34:13, 3rd person plural suffix consecutive וְרָעוּם Jeremiah 23:4, etc.; Imperfect 3rd person masculine plural יִרְעֶה Isaiah 27:20 +, jussive יֵ֫רַע Job 20:26, suffix יִרְעֶנָּה Psalm 80:14, וַיִרְעֵם Psalm 78:72 (וַיַּר׳ Hiph. van d. H.), etc.; Imperative masculine singular רְעֵה

Outline of Biblical Usage

1. to pasture, tend, graze, feed
   

   1. (Qal)
      

      1. to tend, pasture
         

         1. to shepherd

         2. of ruler, teacher (fig)

         3. of people as flock (fig)

         4. shepherd, herdsman (subst)

1. to feed, graze
   

   1. of cows, sheep etc (literal)

   2. of idolater, Israel as flock (fig)

1. (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess

1. to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable)
   

   1. (Qal) to associate with

   2. (Hithpael) to be companions

1. (Piel) to be a special friend

May we establish, nurture, and grow a sincere love for the word of God, and study it lovingly & faithfully.

I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.

Love you much.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!

-Humble Servant

P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.