רְעִי
pasture
Definition
The Hebrew noun רְעִי (rᵉʻîy) refers specifically to 'pasture' or 'grazing land' where livestock, particularly domesticated animals like deer, gazelle, and roebucks, are fed. It denotes a place of provision and sustenance for animals. This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Kings 4:23, where it describes the abundant provisions from King Solomon's vast administrative districts. In this context, it is part of a list of daily food supplies for the royal household, highlighting the land's fertility and the kingdom's prosperity under Solomon's reign.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in 1 Kings 4:23. It occurs within a detailed inventory of Solomon's daily provisions, specifying 'ten head of stall-fed cattle, twenty of pasture-fed cattle' (NIV), along with various game animals. The usage is purely descriptive and administrative, reflecting the economic and agricultural bounty of Solomon's kingdom. There are no other biblical occurrences, so no broader patterns of usage exist.
Etymology
רְעִי (rᵉʻîy) is a noun derived from the root verb רָעָה (rāʻâ, H7462), which means 'to pasture,' 'to tend,' 'to feed,' or 'to shepherd.' This root is common in Hebrew, giving rise to words related to shepherding, grazing, and companionship. The noun form רְעִי specifically denotes the place or act of pasturing, emphasizing the location where the verbal action occurs.
Semantic Range
While רְעִי itself is a mundane agricultural term, its single use in 1 Kings 4:23 contributes to the theological theme of God's provision and blessing. The verse showcases the fulfillment of God's promises to Solomon, granting him wisdom, peace, and material abundance (1 Kings 3:13). The 'pasture-fed cattle' symbolize the land's fruitfulness under God's favor, a common Old Testament motif where agricultural plenty signifies divine blessing and covenantal faithfulness (e.g., Deuteronomy 28:1-8). Understanding this term enriches reading by connecting a simple detail to the larger narrative of God's sustenance.
In ancient Israelite culture, pastureland was a vital economic resource. Well-watered pastures were essential for raising livestock, which provided meat, milk, and labor. The mention of 'pasture-fed cattle' in 1 Kings 4:23 contrasts with 'stall-fed cattle,' indicating two methods of husbandry: free-range grazing versus confined feeding. This distinction reflects the agricultural sophistication and wealth of Solomon's administration, able to support both practices on a massive scale to supply the royal court.
מִרְעֶה (mirʻeh, H4829) — a more common general term for 'pasture' or 'grazing land,' used in various contexts (e.g., Psalm 23:2). נָוֶה (nāweh, H5116) — often translated 'pasture,' 'habitation,' or 'dwelling,' with connotations of a peaceful, settled abode for flocks (e.g., Jeremiah 33:12).
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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