רָעַם (ra.am)
ra.am
to thunder
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 11 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ra’am describes the powerful sound of thunder, appearing eleven times in the Old Testament with a strong presence in Psalms and Job. It captures the visceral experience of a storm’s roar, often serving as a metaphor for God’s majestic voice or overwhelming power. When used in the Qal stem, it simply means to make this noise; in the Hiphil, it can mean to cause others to tremble, linking the physical phenomenon to a spiritual reaction.
This word carries significant theological weight because it connects natural phenomena with divine presence. In Psalm 29, for instance, the "voice of the Lord" is described as thundering over the waters, establishing his sovereignty over creation. The sources note that this usage emphasizes God’s authority rather than mere weather patterns, portraying him as the one who commands the elements.
Translators typically render ra’am as "thunder," though the context often implies a deeper resonance of judgment or glory. Its occurrence in Job highlights its role in revealing God’s incomprehensible might to human observers. By anchoring abstract concepts of power in concrete sensory experience, the word helps readers grasp the intensity of biblical descriptions of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ra’am brings the raw power of a storm into our understanding of God. It describes the deep, shaking sound of thunder that commands attention and silences other noises. When Scripture uses this term, it is not merely describing weather. It is pointing to a presence so vast that it overwhelms human senses and reminds us of who holds ultimate authority over creation.
In passages like Psalm 29, this thundering voice is linked directly to the God of glory. This imagery helps us see that the same power that moves the seas and shakes the earth is also intimately involved in our lives. It is a reminder that we serve a Lord who is not distant or passive, but actively present and sovereign over all things.
Reflecting on this can bring comfort during uncertain times. Knowing that the Creator of such immense power cares about the details of your life allows you to rest in His strength rather than your own. The majesty described in these verses invites trust, showing that no force is beyond His control or understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 11 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- let it thunder3×
- he thunders3×
- will you thunder?1×
- to disconcert/ her1×
- he will thunder1×
- he thundered1×
- and/ he thundered1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַרְעֵֽם\׃1×
- יַרְעֵ֥ם1×
- יַרְעֵ֤ם1×
- יַרְעֵ֔ם1×
- יַ֭רְעֵם1×
- יִרְעַ֤ם1×
- יִרְעַ֣ם1×
- יִֽרְעַ֥ם1×
- וַ/יַּרְעֵ֣ם1×
- הַרְּעִמָ֑/הּ1×
- הִרְעִ֑ים1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 29:3
Yahweh’s voice is on the waters. The God of glory thunders, even Yahweh on many waters.
This verse establishes the core theological link by identifying the 'voice of Yahweh' directly with thunder over the waters, emphasizing divine sovereignty.
-
I Samuel 7:10
As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines came near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel.
Here the verb describes a specific historical intervention where God thunders against enemies to confuse them, showing His active protection of Israel.
-
Job 37:5
God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
This occurrence highlights the incomprehensible nature of God's power, noting that He thunders marvelously in ways humans cannot fully understand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word ra'am mean?
How is ra'am different from other words for sound?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (11 verses across 5 books)
I Samuel 3 verses
Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her, because Yahweh had shut up her womb.
I Samuel 2:10Those who strive with Yahweh shall be broken to pieces. He will thunder against them in the sky. “Yahweh will judge the…
I Samuel 7:10As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines came near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered…