רָאַם (ra.am)
ra.am
to rise
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ra'am means simply to rise or go up. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Zechariah 14:10. In this specific context, it describes the landscape of Jerusalem changing as the city is elevated, rising above the surrounding plain.
Because its usage is so limited, the word does not carry a wide range of metaphorical meanings like some other Hebrew verbs for movement. It functions as a straightforward description of physical elevation. The text uses it to depict a literal change in geography, marking the city's new height relative to the land around it.
This single occurrence highlights how rare words can anchor a prophetic vision in concrete reality. Rather than using abstract language for spiritual exaltation, Zechariah employs ra'am to describe a tangible, physical rising of the land itself.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ra'am appears only once in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 14:10. It describes a literal rising of the land around Jerusalem. This is not a metaphor for spiritual pride or abstract exaltation. Instead, it paints a concrete picture of physical elevation. The city will be lifted up, changing its relationship to the surrounding plain.
For your faith, this offers a grounding reminder that God’s promises often have tangible, real-world dimensions. We do not need to search for hidden symbolic meanings where the text gives us clear, physical imagery. God can transform our circumstances in ways we can see and touch.
This single verse anchors a prophetic vision in reality. It invites us to trust that God’s work is not just spiritual but also affects the world around us. We can find comfort in knowing that hope is built on solid ground, not vague ideas.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ it will rise1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְֽ/רָאֲמָה֩1×
Key Verses
-
Zechariah 14:10
All the land will be made like the Arabah, from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem; and she will be lifted up and will dwell in her place, from Benjamin’s gate to the place of the first gate, to the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananel to the king’s wine presses.
This verse uses ra'am to describe the literal physical elevation of Jerusalem's terrain, grounding the prophecy in a tangible geographical change rather than abstract symbolism.