עֹרֵב (o.rev)
o.rev
raven
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for raven appears in contexts that range from ritual law to intimate care. In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, ravens are listed among unclean animals, marking a boundary for Israel’s worship life. Yet elsewhere, the same creature becomes an instrument of unexpected provision. When Elijah fled into the wilderness, ravens brought him bread and meat each day (1 Kings 17:6). This image reminds us that God often uses ordinary means to sustain His people in difficult seasons.
Job and Psalms highlight God’s attention to even the smallest details of creation. He provides for the young ravens when they cry out, showing that no need is too small for divine care. While we may not expect birds to deliver meals today, the underlying truth remains: the Creator who feeds wild creatures also watches over those who trust in Him.
This word invites us to look beyond our immediate circumstances. Just as ravens served Elijah in a barren land, God can use unlikely sources to meet our needs. It encourages patience and gratitude, knowing that provision comes from His hand alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- raven2×
- the/ ravens1×
- the/ raven1×
- like <the>/ raven1×
- for the/ raven1×
- and/ the/ ravens1×
- and/ raven1×
- a raven1×
- [the] ravens of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֹרֵ֖ב2×
- עֹרְבֵי\־1×
- עֹ֝רֵ֗ב1×
- לָ/עֹרֵ֗ב1×
- כָּ/עוֹרֵֽב\׃1×
- וְ/עֹרֵ֖ב1×
- וְ/הָ/עֹרְבִ֗ים1×
- הָֽ/עֹרֵ֑ב1×
- הָ/עֹרְבִ֣ים1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 17:6
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook.
This verse shows the word in action as ravens actively deliver daily sustenance to Elijah during a time of drought.
-
Job 38:41
Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?
Here the raven illustrates God’s sovereign provision for wild creatures, emphasizing His care for all life.
-
Leviticus 11:15
any kind of raven,
The term appears in a legal list defining unclean animals, establishing ritual boundaries for the community.
-
Psalms 147:9
He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.
The psalmist uses the raven to celebrate God’s faithful provision for His creation, reinforcing trust in His goodness.