רֵעֶה (re.eh)
re.eh
friend
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun re‘eh denotes a close companion or intimate associate. In the Hebrew Bible it appears only three times, all within the historical narratives of II Samuel and I Kings. It describes personal bonds rather than general social connections, highlighting a relationship defined by loyalty and mutual trust.
A notable usage occurs in a technical sense: "friend of the king." This title signifies a high-ranking court official or trusted advisor who enjoys the monarch’s confidence. In these royal contexts, the word carries significant political weight, marking the individual as part of the inner circle of power rather than merely a casual acquaintance.
Translators typically render re‘eh as "friend" or "confidant," depending on the context. The scarcity of this term in Scripture suggests it was reserved for specific, high-stakes relationships where personal fidelity intersected with public duty. Its limited occurrence underscores the rarity of such deep, trusted alliances in the biblical narrative.
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‘eh describes a bond that goes far beyond casual acquaintance. It points to a close companion defined by loyalty and mutual trust. In the biblical narrative, this term is rare, appearing only three times, which highlights how precious such deep alliances are. These relationships often involve high stakes, where personal fidelity intersects with public duty.
Consider Hushai, who is called David’s friend during a time of intense political turmoil. His loyalty was not just emotional but acted as a vital support for the king’s survival. Similarly, Zabud served as the king’s friend, a role that carried significant weight and responsibility within the court. These examples show that true friendship involves standing firm in trust, even when circumstances are difficult.
For your own life, this word invites you to value depth over breadth in your relationships. It reminds us that being a faithful companion is a serious calling. When you offer steady presence and honesty to those around you, you reflect the kind of loyalty that Scripture honors. May you find strength in knowing that God values these deep, trusting connections.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] friend of3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֵעֶ֥ה3×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 15:37
So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
This verse establishes Hushai’s identity as David’s friend at a critical moment when Absalom has taken Jerusalem, highlighting his role as a loyal supporter in exile.
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II Samuel 16:16
When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!”
Here the title 'David’s friend' is used again to underscore Hushai’s continued allegiance despite his presence in Absalom’s camp, showing the complexity of his faithful position.
-
I Kings 4:5
Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was chief minister, the king’s friend;
This occurrence shifts the context to royal administration, where Zabud is called 'the king’s friend,' indicating a high-ranking official who holds the monarch’s confidence and trust.