רֹעָה (ro.ah)
ro.ah
to shatter
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The word roah is a feminine noun meaning "brokenness" or that which has been shattered. It appears as a grammatical form of the verb ra’a, which describes the act of breaking or shattering something with force. In Scripture, this term captures the state of being fractured or destroyed, often implying a violent or irreversible break.
This word occurs only once in the Bible, in Proverbs 27:18. The context contrasts a servant who is faithful with one who is not, using the imagery of brokenness to highlight the consequences of unreliability. The sources note that while the verb ra’a can describe breaking iron or the earth splitting apart, roah specifically refers to the resulting condition of being shattered.
Its rarity makes it a precise tool for describing total collapse. Unlike terms for minor damage, roah suggests a fundamental structural failure. Translators typically render it as "broken" or "shattered," depending on whether the focus is on the object or the state. This single usage underscores the seriousness of relational or moral fracture in wisdom literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word roah describes a state of being shattered, broken, or completely destroyed. It comes from a root meaning to break with force, suggesting not just minor damage but a fundamental structural failure. Though this specific noun appears only once in Scripture, its imagery is powerful: it paints a picture of something that has been fractured beyond simple repair.
In Proverbs 27:18, the text uses this concept to warn against relying on those who are unfaithful. Just as a broken tool fails when you need it most, a person whose character is roah cannot support you in times of trouble. This reminds us that trust requires integrity. When relationships shatter due to unreliability, the resulting brokenness affects everyone involved.
Yet this word also points to our need for wholeness. While human reliability can fail, God’s faithfulness remains unbroken. We find comfort in knowing that He does not shatter those who seek Him. Instead, He offers restoration and a steadfast presence that holds us together when our own strength gives way.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- broken1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֹ֭עָה1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 25:19
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
This verse uses the imagery of brokenness to show how confidence in an unfaithful person fails exactly when support is needed most.