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רְעִי

𐤓𐤏𐤉

rᵉʻîy

H7471 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רעה to pasture, to graze, to tend (livestock)

Definition

Refers to a tract of land or area used for grazing flocks or herds, specifically denoting grassy or verdant land suitable for pasturing animals. The term emphasizes not only the location but also the function as a nourishment source for domesticated livestock. In poetic and narrative contexts, it can stand for 'grazing place,' 'pastureland,' or 'meadow.'

Semantic Range

pasture, grazing place, meadow, land for grazing, pastureland

Root / Etymology

From the root רעה (r-ʻ-h), meaning 'to pasture, tend, graze.' רְעִי is a feminine noun form indicating the object or place related to pasturing, i.e., the area utilized for grazing.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רְעִי appears chiefly in poetic and descriptive passages to depict land suitable for shepherding, often in connection with flocks or as a metaphor for abundance and provision. It is closely related in meaning to the more common noun מִרְעֶה (mir'eh), which also means 'pasture' but is used more widely and with a broader range of reference. רְעִי is relatively rare and primarily found in elevated or figurative language. Later translations sometimes generalize its meaning to 'field,' but the primary nuance is a specific area designated for grazing. The concept is central in ancient Israel where pastoralism formed a significant part of economic and daily life; thus, terms for pasture reflect practical importance and are used in geographic, economic, and metaphorical discourse. English translations sometimes use 'pasture,' 'meadow,' or 'feeding place,' though 'pasture' best represents the lexical value.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָעָה; pasture; pasture.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

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
H7471-01 רְעִ֖י rei HNcmsa sheep grazing-place 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7471-01 1 Kings 5:3 רְעִ֖י rei HNcmsa sheep grazing-place
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