רָעַע

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing

Definition

The Hebrew word רָעַע (râʻaʻ) is a versatile term primarily meaning 'to be bad, evil, or harmful.' Its core sense involves causing damage or ruin, both physically (like breaking something to pieces) and morally (acting wickedly). In some contexts, it describes causing distress or affliction to others, as when Abimelech is warned not to harm Isaac or his wife (Genesis 26:11). It also frequently denotes moral evil, such as the 'evil' the men of Sodom intended (Genesis 19:7) or the 'wickedness' God saw in humanity before the flood (Genesis 6:5).

Biblical Usage

רָעַע appears about 90 times in the Old Testament, with significant usage in Genesis, the Prophets (like Jeremiah), and Wisdom literature (like Proverbs). It is used in diverse contexts: describing interpersonal harm (Genesis 31:7), divine punishment (Jeremiah 25:29), general calamity (Proverbs 12:21), and profound moral corruption (Isaiah 1:4). A key pattern is its use in legal and covenantal contexts to define wrongdoing against God or neighbor.

Etymology

Derived from a primitive root, רָעַע conveys a fundamental sense of breaking, spoiling, or making defective. It is related to the common adjective רַע (raʻ, H7451) meaning 'bad' or 'evil.' The root idea likely involves something being or becoming 'broken' from a state of goodness or wholeness, extending from physical ruin to ethical corruption.

Semantic Range

This word is central to the biblical concept of evil. It distinguishes between mere misfortune and active, morally culpable wrongdoing. It underscores the human capacity for sin and the reality of evil in God's world. Understanding רָעַע enriches reading by clarifying that 'evil' in Scripture often implies a rupture in right relationships—with God, others, and creation—and is not merely abstract. It is a key term in theodicy, prophecy of judgment, and calls to repentance.

In ancient Israelite culture, 'evil' (רָעַע) was understood holistically; it could refer to physical disaster, social injustice, ritual impurity, or moral failure without the modern tendency to sharply separate these categories. Harming the community covenant was a primary evil. The word's range reflects a worldview where ethical, relational, and physical well-being were deeply interconnected.

רַע (raʻ, H7451) — The primary adjective for 'bad' or 'evil,' often describing the quality or state that רָעַע (the verb) brings about. | חָטָא (chata, H2398) — To miss the mark or sin; focuses more on the failure or offense itself, whereas רָעַע emphasizes the harmful or corrupting nature of the act. | פָּשַׁע (pasha, H6586) — To rebel or transgress; implies a willful breaking of covenant or authority, while רָעַע can include non-deliberate harm or general badness.

Word Details

Scripture References