רֹעָה
breakage
Definition
The Hebrew noun רֹעָה (rôʻâh) refers to a state of being broken, fractured, or shattered. It describes a physical breakage or collapse, often implying something is rendered useless or unreliable. Its sole biblical occurrence in Proverbs 25:19 uses it metaphorically to describe the unreliability of a treacherous person in a time of trouble, comparing it to a broken tooth or a lame foot. The word conveys a sense of fundamental failure and inability to function as intended.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Proverbs 25:19. It appears in a wisdom context, within a poetic comparison (simile) to illustrate the pain and disappointment caused by trusting an unfaithful person during a crisis. The usage is entirely metaphorical, applying the concept of physical breakage to a relational and ethical failure.
Etymology
רֹעָה (rôʻâh) is a feminine noun derived from the root רעע (rʿʿ), which carries a core sense of breaking, shattering, or acting wickedly. It is explicitly linked to the masculine noun רֹעַ (rôaʿ, H7455), meaning 'badness,' 'evil,' or 'distress.' This etymological connection shows how physical breakage and moral/relational brokenness are conceptually related in Hebrew thought.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word contributes to the biblical theme of reliability and trust. It underscores that betrayal, especially in a moment of need, is not merely a personal slight but a fundamental breakdown—a 'breaking' of the expected social and covenantal bond. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Proverbs 25:19 by highlighting the severe, disabling consequences of treachery, linking it to the broader biblical vocabulary of brokenness (e.g., broken covenants, broken hearts) and the need for true faithfulness.
In the ancient Near Eastern context of Proverbs, trust within the community was paramount for survival and stability. A 'broken' tooth or foot (the metaphors used) were not minor inconveniences but significant disabilities affecting one's ability to eat or work. Comparing a treacherous person to such a breakage powerfully communicated their total uselessness and the active harm they cause in a crisis, where dependable allies were essential.
שֶׁבֶר (shever, H7667) — A more common term for breakage, fracture, or crushing, often used for literal physical breaks (e.g., of bones) or national disaster. רֹעַ (rôaʿ, H7455) — The related masculine noun focusing on the abstract qualities of badness, evil, or distress, from which רֹעָה is derived.
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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