רְעוּת
𐤓𐤏𐤅𐤕
rᵉʻûwth
H7470 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Desire, will, wish—denoting the act of wishing, intending, or purpose; also carries the sense of pleasure or favor in a broader context. The word signifies both the inclination or volition of a person or deity and occasionally the result of such intent (what is desired, a purpose, or pleasure).
Semantic Range
desire, will, intention, wish, pleasure, favor, purpose (especially of a ruler or authority)
Root / Etymology
From the root רעה (resh-ayin-heh) meaning 'to delight, be pleased, wish, desire,' especially in Aramaic forms. The noun רְעוּת derives from this root and appears chiefly in late Biblical Hebrew/Aramaic portions. The Hebrew equivalent is רָצוֹן (ratson) or חֵפֶץ (hefets) for 'will' or 'desire,' but in Aramaic-influenced texts, רְעוּת is used.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רְעוּת occurs distinctly in biblical Aramaic, seen in Daniel and Ezra, where it usually refers to the will, wish, or pleasure of a king or authority, as in 'the king's pleasure.' In these passages, the term highlights the personal intent or decree of a ruler rather than a general desire. The use contrasts with Hebrew equivalents like רָצוֹן (which often has a broader range including favor or goodwill). While some English versions translate it as 'will,' 'pleasure,' or 'desire,' these do not always capture the formal, authoritative nuance observed in royal contexts. The use of רְעוּת to describe the will of the deity occurs in post-biblical Aramaic literature, broadening the semantic scope. The transition of meaning over time thus depends on context—especially distinguishing secular/royal usage in biblical Aramaic from general or theological usage in later traditions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to רְעוּת; desire; pleasure, will.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רעה (r-ʿ-h) — to desire, to will, to be pleased
| 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
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7470-01 |
כִּ/רְע֥וּת | kireut | AR/Ncfsc |
according-to-will-of | according to desire-of | 1 |
H7470-02 |
וּ/רְע֥וּת | ureut | AC/Ncfsc |
and his pleasure | and restless craving of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences