רֵעָה (re.ah)
re.ah
companion
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun re’ah denotes a female companion or attendant, specifically one who serves alongside maidens. In the Hebrew Bible, this term appears only twice, both within the narrative of Judges, where it describes women in close proximity to a bride or young woman of status.
Its usage highlights a relationship of service and intimacy rather than romantic partnership. The word distinguishes itself from the more common masculine re’ah by specifying gender and often implying a role of assistance or companionship within a household setting. This precise lexical choice helps clarify the social dynamics in the biblical text, showing how women supported one another in daily life.
Understanding this term provides insight into the domestic structures of ancient Israel. It reminds readers that female companionship was a recognized and valued aspect of community life, offering support and solidarity in ways that were both practical and relational.
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’ah (H7464) refers to a female companion or attendant, specifically one who serves alongside other women. It appears only twice in the Bible, both in Judges 11, describing the young women who accompanied Jephthah’s daughter as she mourned her virginity. This term highlights a relationship of service and intimacy, rather than romantic partnership.
Understanding this word helps us see how women supported one another in ancient Israel. It shows that female companionship was a recognized and valued part of community life, offering both practical help and emotional solidarity. In times of grief or transition, having trusted friends by your side provided strength and comfort.
This small but meaningful detail reminds us that God cares about the relationships we build with one another. Whether in joy or sorrow, the presence of faithful companions reflects God’s design for community and mutual support.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ companions/ my1×
- and/ companions/ her1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/רֵעוֹתָֽ/י\׃1×
- וְ/רֵ֣עוֹתֶ֔י/הָ1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 11:37
Then she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me. Leave me alone two months, that I may depart and go down on the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my companions.”
This verse uses re’ah to describe the female companions who accompanied Jephthah's daughter, highlighting their role in supporting her during a time of grief.
-
Judges 11:38
He said, “Go.” He sent her away for two months; and she departed, she and her companions, and mourned her virginity on the mountains.
Here, the same word appears again as the daughter and her companions mourned together, emphasizing the shared experience of loss and the value of female solidarity.