רָאמוֹת (ra.mah)
ra.mah
coral
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 rāmôt appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Job 28:18. In this context, it is translated as "coral," referring to the precious red material harvested from the sea. The word stands alongside gold and onyx as a benchmark of immense value, illustrating the rarity and costliness of true wisdom.
While the exact etymology remains debated among scholars, its singular usage in Scripture anchors it firmly in the imagery of natural beauty and high worth. By placing coral next to metallic and mineral treasures, the text emphasizes that some things—like discernment—are far more difficult to obtain than even the most sought-after gems from the ocean depths.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Job 28:18 mentions coral alongside gold and onyx to show how rare true wisdom is. In ancient times, this red sea treasure was highly prized, yet even its value falls short of the worth of understanding God's ways. This comparison reminds us that some things in life cannot be bought or mined from the earth.
When you seek insight and discernment, you are pursuing something far greater than material wealth. The text encourages you to look beyond surface-level treasures to find deeper truth. It is a comforting thought that wisdom, though hard to find, is available to those who seek it with sincere hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- corals1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רָאמ֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Job 28:18
No mention will be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
This verse places coral next to gold and crystal to highlight that wisdom is more valuable than any physical treasure.