רָאָה (ra.ah)
ra.ah
glede
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ra’ah refers to a bird of prey, likely a kite or hawk. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Deuteronomy 14:13, where it is listed among the unclean animals that Israelites are forbidden to eat. This single occurrence places the word firmly within the context of dietary laws and ritual purity.
As a scavenger or hunter, the ra’ah represents an animal associated with death and violence, contrasting sharply with clean, herbivorous livestock. Its inclusion in the list of prohibited birds highlights the distinction between sacred community life and the wild, untamed forces of nature. The specific identification as a kite or hawk suggests a common local predator known for its keen eyesight and predatory habits.
While the word itself carries no direct theological metaphor beyond its literal meaning, its presence in the Torah underscores the importance of holiness through separation. By avoiding such birds, the Israelites were reminded to live distinct from the surrounding cultures that might have viewed these creatures differently. The rarity of the term emphasizes its role as a specific example rather than a broad category.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ra’ah appears just once in Scripture, listed among birds that were not to be eaten. It likely refers to a bird of prey like a kite or hawk, creatures known for their sharp sight and hunting habits. In the ancient context, these animals represented the wild and untamed aspects of nature, standing in contrast to the domesticated livestock that provided food for daily life.
For believers today, this specific detail reminds us that God’s instructions often carry deeper lessons about holiness and separation. By setting aside certain creatures, Israel was called to live distinctly from surrounding cultures. This call to be set apart continues to encourage Christians to align their lives with God’s wisdom, seeking purity in thought and action as they follow Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ red kite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הָ/רָאָה֙1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 14:13
the red kite, the falcon, the kite of any kind,
This verse explicitly lists the ra’ah among the unclean birds, defining its role in Israel's dietary laws as a creature to be avoided for reasons of ritual purity.