רַעְמָה
the mane of a horse (as quivering in the wind)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רַעְמָה (raʻmâh) refers specifically to the mane of a horse, as vividly described in Job 39:19. The imagery emphasizes the mane's dynamic, quivering quality, likely evoking its movement in the wind. This singular biblical usage poetically connects the word to its root meaning of 'thunder' or 'quivering,' portraying the horse's power and majesty. There are no other distinct meanings or usages of this word in the Old Testament.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only once in the entire Old Testament, in Job 39:19. It is used in God's rhetorical speech to Job, within a series of questions about the natural world, specifically describing the majestic and powerful warhorse. The context is poetic and descriptive, highlighting the awe-inspiring qualities of God's creation.
Etymology
רַעְמָה is the feminine form of the masculine noun רַעַם (raʻam, H7482), which means 'thunder.' The derivation suggests a semantic connection to something that quivers, shakes, or makes a rumbling sound. Thus, the horse's mane is poetically described with a word related to thunder, emphasizing its vibrant, trembling motion.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a specific anatomical term, its sole appearance in Job 39 contributes significantly to the book's theology of creation. In God's speech from the whirlwind, the description of the horse's 'raʻmâh' is part of a grand display of creatures beyond human control or full understanding. It underscores God's sovereign wisdom and power as the Creator of even the most fearsome and majestic animals, humbling Job and the reader before the mystery of divine providence.
In the ancient Near East, the horse was primarily associated with warfare, royalty, and prestige, not agriculture or common travel. A horse's mane was a visible symbol of its strength, vitality, and untamed power. The poetic connection to 'thunder' would resonate in a culture deeply familiar with the awe-inspiring sound of storms, further magnifying the horse's impressive and formidable nature.
None directly synonymous for 'mane.' For the concept of 'horse,' related words include: סוּס (sûs, H5483) — the general term for horse. רֶכֶב (rekhev, H7393) — often refers to chariotry or a chariot team, which includes horses.
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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