רָוֶה
sated (with drink)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רָוֶה (râveh) describes a state of being fully satisfied or saturated with drink. It primarily conveys the physical condition of being 'sated' or 'watered,' as seen in Jeremiah 31:12, where it depicts the soul being 'watered' like a well-watered garden, indicating spiritual and physical refreshment. In Deuteronomy 29:19, it is used metaphorically in a warning against a self-satisfied, stubborn heart that presumes safety while persisting in rebellion. The word can thus range from a positive, literal watering to a negative, figurative state of arrogant complacency.
Biblical Usage
This word occurs only three times in the Old Testament, each with distinct contextual nuances. In Deuteronomy 29:19, it appears in a legal covenant warning against spiritual arrogance ('to add drunkenness to thirst'). In Isaiah 58:11, it is used positively, promising divine provision where the faithful will be 'like a watered garden.' Finally, Jeremiah 31:12 also uses it positively within a prophecy of restoration, describing the people as coming to Zion and their soul being 'like a watered garden.' The usage shifts from a negative metaphor in the Torah to positive images of blessing in the Prophets.
Etymology
רָוֶה (râveh) is a noun derived from the root verb רָוָה (râvâh, H7301), which means 'to drink one's fill,' 'to be saturated,' or 'to water.' The root conveys the core idea of abundant saturation. The noun form specifically denotes the state or result of that action—being sated. Cognate words in related Semitic languages carry similar meanings of drinking and irrigation.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges physical satisfaction and spiritual condition. It illustrates God's desire to fully satisfy His people, as in the prophetic promises of Isaiah 58:11 and Jeremiah 31:12, where divine blessing leads to profound flourishing. Conversely, in Deuteronomy 29:19, it warns against a self-induced, false sense of security that ignores God's covenant. Understanding רָוֶה enriches reading by highlighting that true satisfaction comes only from God, while self-satisfaction apart from Him leads to judgment.
In an arid land like ancient Israel, being 'watered' or 'sated with drink' was a powerful image of life, prosperity, and divine favor. A 'watered garden' (Jeremiah 31:12) represented an oasis of fertility and sustenance in contrast to the surrounding wilderness. The negative use in Deuteronomy 29:19 leverages the cultural understanding of drunkenness as a state of impaired judgment and reckless presumption, applying it to spiritual arrogance.
שָׂבַע (sâva', H7646) — denotes being full or satisfied (often with food); more general. רָוָה (râvâh, H7301) — the root verb meaning 'to drink one's fill' or 'to water.' שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — means 'to give to drink,' 'to irrigate'; focuses on the action of watering.
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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