רֳאִי (ro.i)
ro.i
sight
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun ro’i refers to the act of seeing or the resulting visual experience, encompassing both the process of looking and the appearance that is perceived. In the Hebrew Bible, it often carries a weightier sense than simple observation, describing something significant enough to be called a sight or spectacle. This usage appears in contexts where vision reveals something startling or profound, such as when God’s appearance is described as a terrifying spectacle in Job 4:13-16.
Its root relates to the verb ra’ah (to see), but ro’i focuses on the concrete reality of what is seen. In Genesis 20:16, Abimelech gives silver as compensation for Sarah’s honor, stating it serves as a "covering of the eyes" before all who are with her. Here, the concept of sight connects to social reputation and public perception. The word bridges the gap between internal perception and external display, marking moments where vision becomes a public event or a divine revelation rather than a private glance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we speak of 'sight' in Scripture, we often mean more than just the physical act of looking with our eyes. The Hebrew word ro'i points to a profound visual encounter that leaves a lasting mark on the soul. It is not merely passive observation but an experience so significant that it changes how we understand our place in the world. This concept bridges the gap between what we see and who we are in the presence of God.
In Genesis 16:13, Hagar names God El-Roi, meaning 'the God who sees.' She uses this word to describe a terrifying yet life-saving encounter. She realizes that being seen by God is not about scrutiny but about intimate knowledge and preservation. Even in her deepest distress, she finds hope in the fact that her Creator witnesses her reality.
This understanding invites us into a relationship where we are fully known. It reminds us that our struggles and joys are not hidden from view. Instead of feeling invisible or overlooked, we can rest in the assurance that God’s sight is attentive and caring. This divine attention offers comfort when we feel alone, knowing that He perceives our true state with perfect clarity.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sight1×
- seeing1×
- from/ sight1×
- appearance1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֹ֑אִי\ \פ1×
- רֹ֑אִי1×
- רֳאִ֑י1×
- מֵ/רֹ֑אִי1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 16:13
She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?”
Hagar uses this term to name God as the one who actively sees her in her distress, transforming a moment of fear into a declaration of divine presence.
-
Job 7:8
The eye of him who sees me will see me no more. Your eyes will be on me, but I will not be.
Job contrasts human sight with divine observation, expressing despair that his physical visibility will soon end while God’s gaze remains fixed upon him.
-
Job 33:21
His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
Elihu describes a state of physical decay so severe that the body can no longer be seen, highlighting the fragility of human appearance before God.