רַע
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Definition
The Hebrew word רַע (raʻ) fundamentally denotes 'bad' or 'evil' in a broad sense, encompassing both natural calamity and moral wickedness. In its moral sense, it describes human actions and intentions that are ethically wrong, as seen in humanity's pervasive evil thoughts (Genesis 6:5). As a noun, it often refers to experienced misfortune, disaster, or harm, such as the 'evil' (i.e., calamity) Lot feared would befall him (Genesis 19:19). The word's meaning is context-dependent, ranging from physical adversity (bad fruit, Deuteronomy 28:17) to profound theological concepts of sin and rebellion against God.
Biblical Usage
רַע is used over 600 times across all Old Testament genres, with high frequency in narrative, wisdom (especially Proverbs), and prophetic books. It commonly appears in contrasts between 'good' (טוֹב) and 'evil,' establishing a fundamental biblical dichotomy (e.g., Deuteronomy 30:15). In narrative, it describes human character (Genesis 13:13) and divine judgment (Jeremiah 18:8). The prophets frequently use it for social injustice and national calamity (Isaiah 45:7, Amos 5:14-15), while wisdom literature applies it to foolish and harmful behavior (Proverbs 15:3).
Etymology
Derived from the root רָעַע (raʻaʻ, H7489), meaning 'to be bad, to break, or to spoil.' This root conveys the idea of something being broken, marred, or not functioning as intended. Cognates in related Semitic languages support meanings of disturbance, calamity, and wickedness. The noun רַע thus carries the core sense of a state or thing that is 'not good'—whether functionally, morally, or experientially.
Semantic Range
רַע is central to the biblical narrative of the human condition and God's character. It introduces the concept of moral choice in Eden (Genesis 2:9, 17) and describes humanity's innate propensity toward sin (Genesis 6:5; 8:21). Theologically, it raises questions about the origin of evil and God's sovereignty, as God is described as creating both 'good' and creating or decreeing 'calamity' (Isaiah 45:7). Understanding this word's range—from personal sin to impersonal disaster—enriches reading by showing how physical and moral evil are often intertwined in the biblical worldview.
In ancient Israelite thought, רַע did not carry the modern philosophical abstraction of 'evil' as a metaphysical force. It was a more concrete term for anything harmful, unpleasant, or contrary to shalom (well-being). Calamity, illness, social injustice, and moral failure were all seen as manifestations of 'evil.' There was less separation between 'natural' evil (suffering) and 'moral' evil (sin); both were understood as disruptions of God's good order. The word reflects a holistic worldview where ethical, relational, and physical brokenness are interconnected.
אָוֶן (aven, H205) — emphasizes trouble, sorrow, or iniquity, often with a sense of emptiness or idolatry (e.g., mischief in Psalm 36:4). פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — specifically 'transgression' or rebellion, a willful breaking of covenant (Isaiah 53:5). רָשָׁע (rashaʻ, H7563) — an adjective/noun for 'wicked' persons, highlighting active guilt and condemnation (Psalm 1:6).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →