רְעוּת
desire
Definition
רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'desire,' 'pleasure,' or 'will.' In its two biblical occurrences, it refers to the decree or good pleasure of a king, specifically the Persian monarch. In Ezra 5:17, it denotes King Darius's 'pleasure' or 'will' regarding the search for Cyrus's decree about rebuilding the Jerusalem temple. In Ezra 7:18, it refers to what seems 'good' or 'pleasing' to the Jewish leaders and King Artaxerxes regarding the use of temple funds. The word captures the concept of a sovereign's deliberate and authoritative choice.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Ezra, which document official Persian correspondence and decrees. It appears in contexts of royal administration and authorization. In both Ezra 5:17 and Ezra 7:18, it describes the will or pleasure of the Persian king in matters pertaining to Jewish worship and temple restoration, highlighting the political authority under which the Jewish community lived during the exile.
Etymology
רְעוּת is the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew noun רְעוּת (H7469), which also means 'desire' or 'pleasure.' Both derive from a common Semitic root (ר-ע-ה) associated with tending or shepherding, which metaphorically extended to the idea of caring for or delighting in something, hence 'desire.' Its use in biblical Aramaic specifically captures the nuance of a ruler's authoritative will.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears in the context of God's providential work through pagan empires. The 'pleasure' of the Persian king (Ezra 5:17, 7:18) is portrayed as an instrument for fulfilling God's purpose to restore His people and temple. It underscores the biblical theme that the hearts of kings are in God's hand (Proverbs 21:1), and even secular decrees can serve His divine will for redemption and worship.
In the Persian imperial context, the king's 'pleasure' or 'will' (רְעוּת) was an official, binding decree. This reflects the absolute authority of the Persian monarch, whose personal desire carried the force of law. For the Jewish community, acknowledging this term in official documents was a necessary part of navigating life under foreign domination, while their faith attributed ultimate authority to God's will.
רָצוֹן (râtsôn, H7522) — A more common Hebrew term for 'pleasure,' 'favor,' or 'acceptance,' often used of both human and divine will. חֵפֶץ (chêphets, H2656) — 'Delight,' 'pleasure,' or 'matter,' focusing on what one takes joy in or purposes to do.
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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