רָהָה (ra.hah)
ra.hah
to fear
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb rāhah appears only once in the entire Old Testament, found in Isaiah 44:8. Its basic gloss is "to fear," yet scholars note that its precise meaning remains uncertain. This rarity makes it a unique lexical curiosity rather than a common theological term.
Because it occurs just a single time, there is no broader range of usage to analyze. The context in Isaiah 44:8 involves God challenging idols to declare future events, implying a call to reverence or awe before divine power. However, the exact nuance—whether it denotes terror, respect, or simple apprehension—is lost due to its isolation.
This solitary occurrence highlights how some Hebrew words fade from common usage, leaving behind only a faint shadow of meaning. Translators typically render it as "fear" or "be afraid," but the uncertainty reminds readers that language evolves and some terms become obscure over time. The word serves as a reminder of the limits of lexical knowledge when dealing with rare biblical vocabulary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rāhah appears only once in the Old Testament, tucked into Isaiah 44:8. Here, God speaks to His people with a gentle command: "Don't fear." In a world filled with uncertainty, this single instance reminds us that reverence for God is rooted in trust rather than terror. The context challenges idols to predict the future, showing that only Yahweh holds true knowledge of what lies ahead.
When we encounter such rare words, it invites humility. We do not need to master every obscure term to walk with God. His promise stands firm: He declares the end from the beginning. This assurance allows us to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that our fears are met by a God who is both powerful and near.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you fear1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תִּרְה֔וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 44:8
Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”
This verse uses the word to frame God's command against anxiety, linking it directly to His unique ability to declare future events.