רַעְיוֹן
𐤓𐤏𐤉𐤅𐤍
raʻyôwn
H7476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An idea, concept, thought, or cogitation; a mental conception or consideration. Used primarily to indicate an internal notion, intellectual reflection, or the content of one's mind, frequently in the context of deliberation or meditation.
Semantic Range
thought, idea, mental conception, plan, consideration, internal deliberation, subject of meditation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root רעי (ר-ע-י), carrying the basic sense of thinking or considering. 'רַעְיוֹן' is an Aramaic noun formed from this root, indicating the product of mental activity—a thought, idea, or reflection.
Historical & Contextual Notes
רַעְיוֹן appears only in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in the book of Daniel and Ezra), where it typically refers to internal deliberations, personal anxieties, dreams, or deep thoughts. It is most often paired with verbs of arising, afflicting, or troubling (e.g., thoughts that 'trouble' or 'alarm'). While commonly translated as 'thought' or 'idea,' English does not always convey the emotional coloring, which may include turmoil or anxiety associated with pondering or worrying. In post-biblical and later rabbinic Hebrew (influenced by Aramaic), רעיון (modern pronunciation: ra‘ayon) is the common word for 'idea' or 'concept.' The term is distinct from Hebrew חָשָׁב (ḥāshav, 'to think, plan'), as רַעְיוֹן points specifically to the result or content of mental activity, rather than the act itself.
Translation Consistency
'Thought' is the most natural, common English rendering that covers the full SILEX range (idea, mental conception, plan, deliberation, meditation). It matches the attested P2 renderings ('thoughts') and will allow simple inflection to plural or possessive forms while keeping consistent, readable phrasing.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to רַעְיוֹן; a grasp. i.e. (figuratively) mental conception; cogitation, thought.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
רעי (raʻyôwn) — to think, to consider, to reflect
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7476-01 |
רַעְיוֹנָ/ךְ֙ | raeyonakhe | ANcmpc/Sp2ms |
your thoughts | your thoughts | your thoughts | 2 |
H7476-02 |
רַעְיוֹנַ֣/י | raeyonay | ANcmpc/Sp1cs |
my thoughts | my reflections | my thoughts | 1 |
H7476-03 |
וְ/רַעְיוֹנֵ֥י | veraeyoney | AC/Ncmpc |
and thoughts | and thoughts of | and thoughts of | 1 |
H7476-04 |
וְ/רַעְיֹנֹ֖/הִי | veraeyonohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-thoughts-his | and his thoughts of | and his thoughts | 1 |
H7476-05 |
וְ/רַעיֹנֹ֖/הִי | verayonohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and his thoughts | and his reflections | and his thoughts | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7476-01 |
Daniel 2:29 | רַעְיוֹנָ/ךְ֙ | raeyonakhe | ANcmpc/Sp2ms |
your thoughts | your thoughts | your thoughts |
H7476-03 |
Daniel 2:30 | וְ/רַעְיוֹנֵ֥י | veraeyoney | AC/Ncmpc |
and thoughts | and thoughts of | and thoughts of |
H7476-04 |
Daniel 4:16 | וְ/רַעְיֹנֹ֖/הִי | veraeyonohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and-thoughts-his | and his thoughts of | and his thoughts |
H7476-05 |
Daniel 5:6 | וְ/רַעיֹנֹ֖/הִי | verayonohi | AC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms |
and his thoughts | and his reflections | and his thoughts |
H7476-01 |
Daniel 5:10 | רַעְיוֹנָ֔/ךְ | raeyonakhe | ANcmpc/Sp2ms |
your thoughts | your thoughts | your thoughts |
H7476-02 |
Daniel 7:28 | רַעְיוֹנַ֣/י | raeyonay | ANcmpc/Sp1cs |
my thoughts | my reflections | my thoughts |