רָוָה

רָוָה

to slake the thirst (occasionally of other appetites)

Definition

The Hebrew verb רָוָה (râvâh) fundamentally means 'to be saturated, soaked, or abundantly satisfied.' Its primary sense is the literal quenching of physical thirst, as when God 'waters' the earth (Psalm 65:10). It extends metaphorically to describe the deep satisfaction of other appetites or desires, such as the soul's longing for God (Psalm 36:8) or the intimate satisfaction found in marital love (Proverbs 5:19). In a negative context, it can describe being sated with blood in judgment (Isaiah 34:5,7). The word consistently conveys a sense of being filled to the point of abundance or overflow.

Biblical Usage

רָוָה is used 14 times, primarily in poetic and prophetic books like Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah. It describes God's provision in watering the land (Psalm 65:10, Isaiah 16:9), the soul's spiritual satisfaction in God's presence (Psalm 36:8), and the physical and emotional satisfaction in marital intimacy (Proverbs 5:19, 7:18). It also appears in contexts of judgment, portraying the violent saturation of the land with blood (Isaiah 34:5,7). The word is often used in parallelism with other terms for abundance and blessing.

Etymology

A primitive root, רָוָה is related to the idea of drinking one's fill. It is connected to the noun רָוֶה (rāveh), meaning 'saturated' or 'watered.' Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic, carry similar meanings of saturation and abundance, reinforcing the core concept of being thoroughly drenched or satisfied.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges physical and spiritual satisfaction. It portrays God as the ultimate source who abundantly satisfies both the physical earth and the human soul (Psalm 36:8, 65:10). It enriches the biblical metaphor of thirst for God, showing that divine provision leads to a state of overflowing fullness. In the context of marriage (Proverbs 5:19), it sanctifies physical pleasure as a gift from God. Conversely, its use in judgment (Isaiah 34) highlights the seriousness of divine wrath, depicted as a gruesome saturation. In an arid climate where water was a precious and life-sustaining resource, the concept of being 'watered abundantly' or 'satiated' carried powerful connotations of blessing, security, and prosperity. The metaphorical extension to marital satisfaction reflects a holistic biblical view where physical intimacy within marriage is a legitimate and God-given source of deep contentment. שָׁקָה (shāqâh, H8248) — focuses more on the act of giving drink or watering. שָׂבַע (śāḇaʿ, H7646) — means to be sated or filled, often with food, but can be more general. רָעָה (rāʿâh, H7462) — to pasture or graze, emphasizing provision and feeding.

Word Details