רָעֵב
hungry (more or less intensely)
Definition
The Hebrew word רָעֵב (râʻêb) is a noun describing a state of hunger, ranging from a general need for food to severe, life-threatening famine. It often depicts physical hunger as a consequence of natural circumstances, such as in 2 Samuel 17:29 where hungry soldiers are refreshed. However, it also carries a strong theological dimension, representing hunger as a form of divine judgment or a condition from which God delivers the faithful, as seen in Job 5:5 and Psalm 107:5. In some prophetic contexts, like Job 24:10, it portrays the intense suffering of the oppressed who are forced to go hungry.
Biblical Usage
This word appears 20 times, primarily in poetic and wisdom literature (Job, Psalms) and historical narratives (Samuel, Kings). It is used to describe both individual physical need and widespread famine. A key pattern is its use in contrasts: between the hungry and the satisfied (1 Samuel 2:5), and as a condition reversed by God's provision (2 Kings 7:12). It frequently occurs in contexts of suffering, judgment, or deliverance.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb רָעֵב (H7456, rāʻab), meaning 'to be hungry' or 'to suffer hunger.' The noun form indicates the state or condition resulting from that verb. Cognate words exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings related to hunger and famine.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it connects physical need with spiritual realities. Hunger is often presented not merely as a natural state but as a consequence of covenant disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:48) or a tool of divine discipline. Conversely, God's provision for the hungry is a sign of His compassion and faithfulness (Psalm 107:9). Understanding רָעֵב enriches reading by highlighting how physical hunger in the Bible often points to deeper spiritual truths about dependence on God, justice, and eschatological hope, as seen in the promise that the hungry will be satisfied (Luke 6:21).
In ancient Israelite culture, hunger was a direct and ever-present threat, far more immediate than in most modern contexts. Famine was a common disaster, and lacking a social safety net, being 'ra'eb' could quickly lead to destitution or death. This word, therefore, carried a weight of urgency and potential catastrophe. It was understood not just as missing a meal, but as a severe lack threatening survival, making divine promises to feed the hungry profoundly meaningful.
רָעָב (rāʻāḇ, H7458) — A closely related noun often translated 'famine' or 'hunger,' focusing more on the widespread condition or cause, whereas רָעֵב typically describes the person experiencing it. כְּפַף (kĕphaph, H3724) — 'to hunger,' a rarer verb. צָמֵא (ṣāmē', H6771) — 'thirsty,' often paired with רָעֵב to describe total physical deprivation (e.g., Psalm 107:5).
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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