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רְעוּת

𐤓𐤏𐤅𐤕

rᵉʻûwth

H7469 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רעה to feed, pasture, graze, tend

Definition

Disturbed longing, desire, or striving after something not possessed, typically with a sense of craving, preoccupation, or restlessness. In some contexts, expresses a sense of vexation or dissatisfaction resulting from unattainable desires or insatiable pursuit.

Semantic Range

longing, craving, restless desire, futile striving, preoccupation, vexation, grasping after, pursuit (especially in a metaphorical/abstract sense)

Root / Etymology

From the root רעה (r-'-h), which at its most basic level means 'to feed, pasture, graze.' The noun רְעוּת (rᵉʻûwth) appears to derive from the verbal action of feeding or seeking sustenance, but in its nominal sense in Biblical Hebrew, it moves toward a more abstract notion of mental or emotional 'feeding' — i.e., longing, pursuit, or preoccupation. The connection is metaphorical: as animals feed after pasture, so humans 'feed upon' or fixate upon desires or ambitions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רְעוּת is a rare term in Biblical Hebrew, used primarily in Wisdom literature (notably Ecclesiastes), where it expresses abstract concepts of inner striving or dissatisfaction. It often appears in phrases such as רְעוּת רוּחַ (striving after wind, Ecclesiastes 1:14), conveying futile or insatiable pursuit. The word does not denote general vexation (for which כַּעַס or כָּעַס are more typical) but points specifically to the internal restless striving or vain longing for what cannot be attained. English translations vary—some render with 'vexation,' others 'striving,' 'pursuit,' or 'preoccupation,' but all infer an inward unsettledness. The noun does not carry theological connotations and is not widespread outside Ecclesiastes, where its metaphorical use is central to reflection on the meaninglessness of endless human pursuits. Later Hebrew uses different forms for similar concepts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from רָעָה; a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after; vexation.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רעה (r-ʿ-h) — to feed, pasture, graze, tend

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4829 מִרְעֶה in a grazing-place
H4830 מִרְעִית as their pasturage
H7200 רָאָה shepherds of
H7453 רֵעַ with his associate
H7454 רֵעַ to my intention

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7469-01 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of 7

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 1:14 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 2:11 וּ/רְע֣וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 2:17 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 2:26 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 4:4 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 4:6 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
H7469-01 Ecclesiastes 6:9 וּ/רְע֥וּת ureut HC/Ncfsc and craving of
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