רְאִי (re.i)
re.i
mirror
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun re’i appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 37:18. In this context, it translates to "mirror" or a reflective surface. The verse uses the image to describe the sky as if it were a solid, polished metal sheet, reflecting the light of God’s presence.
This single occurrence provides a rare glimpse into ancient Hebrew vocabulary for reflective objects. While mirrors in the ancient world were typically made of polished bronze or copper, Job’s metaphor emphasizes the vastness and clarity of the heavens. The word captures a moment where the physical landscape serves as a visual analogy for divine power and majesty.
The rarity of re’i highlights how specific imagery can anchor profound theological statements in concrete reality. By limiting its use to this poetic description, the text ensures the metaphor remains vivid and unmistakable. It reminds readers that even in moments of confusion or suffering, the created order retains a clarity that points to something greater.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word re’i appears only once in Scripture, nestled in Job’s awe-struck reflection on the heavens. It describes the sky as a polished metal mirror, reflecting the vastness and glory of its Creator. This rare image invites us to see creation not just as a backdrop, but as a clear surface that reveals something greater than itself.
When life feels chaotic or confusing, this metaphor offers a quiet comfort. The heavens remain steady and clear, pointing to a divine order that persists even when our understanding is clouded. We are reminded that the world around us holds a clarity that reflects God’s majesty, inviting our wonder rather than demanding our full comprehension.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ a mirror1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כִּ/רְאִ֥י1×
Key Verses
-
Job 37:18
Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
This is the only occurrence of re’i in the Hebrew Bible, using the term to describe the sky as a strong, cast metal mirror that reflects divine presence.