רָעֵב

to hunger

Definition

The Hebrew verb רָעֵב (râʻêb) means 'to be hungry' or 'to suffer from hunger.' It describes the physical state of lacking food, as when the Egyptians came to Pharaoh because they were famished (Genesis 41:55). Beyond mere physical need, it can also depict a state of severe want or deprivation, such as the hunger of the lazy person in Proverbs 19:15. In some passages, the concept is spiritualized, representing a deep longing for God, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:3 where God humbled Israel, letting them hunger to teach them dependence on His word.

Biblical Usage

This verb appears 13 times, primarily in Wisdom literature (Proverbs, Psalms) and narrative books (Genesis, Deuteronomy). It is used both literally for physical hunger (Genesis 41:55, Proverbs 6:30) and metaphorically within theological contexts. For example, in Deuteronomy 8:3 and Psalm 34:10, hunger is a tool God uses to teach dependence or to contrast the fate of the righteous and wicked. The usage often highlights cause-and-effect, linking hunger to laziness (Proverbs 19:15) or divine provision (Psalm 50:12).

Etymology

רָעֵב is a primitive root verb in Hebrew. It is related to the noun רָעָב (raʻāv, H7458) meaning 'famine' or 'hunger.' Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings related to hunger and thirst, indicating a basic, ancient concept of need. The root conveys the fundamental idea of lacking sustenance.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects physical need to spiritual truth. In Deuteronomy 8:3, God orchestrates hunger to teach Israel that life depends not on bread alone but on His word, a principle Jesus later reaffirms (Matthew 4:4). Passages like Psalm 34:10 contrast the hunger of those who seek the Lord with the want of the wicked, showing God's provision for the righteous. Understanding רָעֵב enriches reading by highlighting how physical hunger often serves as a metaphor for spiritual longing and dependence on God.

In ancient Israelite culture, hunger was a direct and severe threat, often resulting from drought, famine, or poverty. Unlike in many modern contexts where hunger can be temporary, biblical hunger frequently implied life-threatening scarcity and vulnerability. This tangible reality made it a powerful metaphor for spiritual need and divine testing, as survival was intimately tied to God's provision through rain and harvest.

רָעָב (raʻāv, H7458) — The related noun meaning 'famine' or 'hunger' as a condition. צָמֵא (tsāmē', H6770) — Means 'to thirst,' often paired with hunger to express total deprivation (e.g., Psalm 107:5). אָבַל (ʼāval, H56) — Sometimes used in contexts of mourning or languishing, which can include the effects of famine, but focuses more on grief or wasting away.

Word Details

Scripture References