רָאָה
a bird of prey (probably the vulture, from its sharp sight)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רָאָה (râʼâh) refers specifically to a bird of prey, most likely a vulture, noted for its sharp vision. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 14:13, within a list of unclean birds that the Israelites were forbidden to eat. The identification as a vulture is derived from its etymological connection to the verb 'to see' (רָאָה, H7200), highlighting the bird's keen eyesight. This single usage provides its sole biblical meaning, with no other attested senses or variations in different passages.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exactly once in the entire Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 14:13, as part of the dietary laws. It is listed among other unclean birds of prey that are prohibited for consumption. Its usage is purely descriptive within a legal and ritual context, with no narrative or poetic occurrences elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible.
Etymology
The noun רָאָה (râʼâh) is directly derived from the common Hebrew verb רָאָה (H7200), meaning 'to see, look, perceive.' This derivation emphasizes the characteristic sharp sight of the bird, leading to its identification as a vulture or similar raptor. It is a clear example of a noun formed from a verbal root to denote an entity characterized by the action of the verb.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Israelite context, birds of prey like the רָאָה were considered ritually unclean (Deuteronomy 14:12-18). This classification was part of the holiness code that distinguished the Israelites from surrounding nations and governed their daily life. The vulture, often associated with death and carcasses, symbolized impurity and was thus forbidden as food, reinforcing boundaries of purity and separation unto God.
דָּאָה (dāʼâh, H1676) — Another bird of prey listed as unclean in the same verse (Deuteronomy 14:13), possibly a specific type of kite or falcon. נֶשֶׁר (nesher, H5404) — The more general term for eagle or vulture, a large bird of prey often used in poetic and prophetic imagery (e.g., Exodus 19:4, Isaiah 40:31).
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.
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