רָאָה
𐤓𐤀𐤄
râʼâh
H7201 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A species of bird of prey, most likely a type of vulture or kite, referenced in lists of unclean animals. The term designates a large, carrion-eating raptor noted for its keen eyesight. Semantic range covers use as a concrete bird name, specifically one forbidden for Israelite consumption, with potential broader or less specific application to similar birds of prey in the region.
Semantic Range
a large bird of prey (vulture or kite); bird forbidden to Israelites for consumption; a raptor noted for sharp sight; any eagle-like or vulture-like bird identified by vision
Root / Etymology
From the root ראה meaning 'to see, perceive.' The noun form רָאָה derives its name from the bird's notable sharp vision, characteristic of many large predatory birds. There is no evidence the word is a borrowing from another language. The specific species identification is debated, but etymology supports a general association with visually acute raptors.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רָאָה appears in Deuteronomic and Levitical dietary lists (e.g. Deut 14:13, Lev 11:14) specifying birds not to be eaten. Its identification is uncertain: traditional suggestions include the kite (Milvus migrans or Milvus milvus), black kite, or various vulture species. English renderings (e.g., 'glede,' 'vulture,' 'kite') vary, reflecting natural history uncertainty. Unlike the core verb רָאָה ('to see'), this noun functions as a specific term for a bird whose keen sight was proverbial in the region. In later Jewish tradition, the precise identity remained debated, and various rabbinic sources interpret it alongside other similarly named but distinct unclean birds (cf. דָּאָה, dayyah). Modern ornithology cannot match the biblical terminology exactly, since ancient taxonomy was based on observable traits rather than modern species groupings. The biblical רָאָה should therefore be understood as referencing a conspicuous carrion-eating raptor with excellent eyesight, in contrast to similar terms for buzzards or vultures elsewhere in the lists.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָאָה; a bird of prey (probably the vulture, from its sharp sight); glede. Compare דָּאָה.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ראה (r-ʾ-h) — to see, perceive, look, observe
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1254 | בָּרָא | and he saw |
| H3372 | יָרֵא | he sees |
| H4179 | מוֹרִיָּה | the Seen-of-Yah |
| H4758 | מַרְאֶה | in the appearance |
| H4759 | מַרְאָה | in the visible-manifestation |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7201-01 |
וְ/הָ/רָאָה֙ | veharaah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the kite | and the sight-raptor | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7201-01 |
Deuteronomy 14:13 | וְ/הָ/רָאָה֙ | veharaah | HC/Td/Ncfsa |
and the kite | and the sight-raptor |