רְעַע (re.a)
re.a
to break
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb re’a means to crush, break, or shatter something with force. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Daniel 2:35, where it describes the stone cut without hands striking the statue’s feet and reducing them to powder. This usage emphasizes total destruction rather than simple repair or minor damage.
As an Aramaic form of the Hebrew ra’a (H7489), it shares a root meaning centered on violent breaking. The context in Daniel highlights divine judgment, where human kingdoms are shattered by God’s eternal kingdom. Translators typically render this as "broken" or "shattered," capturing the finality of the act.
The word’s rarity underscores its dramatic function in Scripture. It serves as a vivid image of how earthly power, no matter how imposing, is ultimately undone by divine action. The imagery resonates with other biblical themes of God overthrowing proud empires.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word re’a describes a forceful breaking or shattering, capturing the moment when human strength is completely undone. In Daniel, this imagery shows how earthly powers, no matter how solid as iron, are ultimately reduced to dust by God’s eternal kingdom. It reminds us that no empire or authority stands beyond divine judgment.
For believers, this offers deep comfort. When systems around you feel unshakeable or when injustice seems entrenched, this word affirms that God’s purposes prevail. Human strength is temporary, but God’s reign is permanent. You can trust that what appears solid may one day be shattered, while His truth remains.
This promise invites hope in uncertain times. Rather than fearing the power of worldly forces, you can rest in the certainty that God’s kingdom endures forever. Your faith is anchored not in human stability but in divine sovereignty.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- so/ it may crush1×
- [is] crushing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְרָעַ֥ע1×
- וְ/תֵרֹֽעַ\׃1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 2:40
The fourth kingdom will be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, it will break in pieces and crush.
This verse uses the related concept of breaking to describe how the fourth kingdom will crush and subdue all things, illustrating the destructive power of earthly empires before God's final judgment.