### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **gᵉʻârâh**, represented by `{{H1606}}`, signifies a **rebuke** or **reproof**. It appears 15 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. While it can refer to human correction, its most powerful use is to describe a divine rebuke from God that carries immense power and tangible consequences, affecting both humanity and the natural world.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1606}}` is frequently used to demonstrate God's sovereign power. A divine **rebuke** is shown to have authority over creation itself, drying up the sea [[Isaiah 50:2]] and discovering the foundations of the world [[Psalms 18:15]]. The Lord's **rebuke** is also an instrument of judgment, rendered with fury and fire [[Isaiah 66:15]], causing thousands to flee in battle [[Isaiah 30:17]]. The word is also used in wisdom literature, where hearing a **rebuke** is a sign of wisdom, while a scorner refuses to listen [[Proverbs 13:1]]. It is considered more beneficial to hear the **rebuke** of the wise than the song of fools [[Ecclesiastes 7:5]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words clarify the impact and context of a rebuke:
* `{{H2717}}` **chârab** (to parch... desolate, destroy, kill): This word describes the physical effect of a divine rebuke, such as when the Lord's rebuke causes the sea to **dry up** [[Isaiah 50:2]].
* `{{H5127}}` **nûwç** (to flit... vanish away... flee): This word illustrates the reaction to a rebuke, as armies **flee** from the **rebuke** of one [[Isaiah 30:17]] and the waters of creation **fled** at God's rebuke [[Psalms 104:7]].
* `{{H4148}}` **mûwçâr** (chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction): This term is often paired with the concept of rebuke in a wisdom context, where a wise son heeds his father's **instruction** but a scorner does not hear a rebuke [[Proverbs 13:1]].
* `{{H8085}}` **shâmaʻ** (to hear intelligently... obey): This highlights the proper response to correction, as it is better to **hear** the rebuke of the wise [[Ecclesiastes 7:5]], a virtue the poor and scornful lack [[Proverbs 13:8]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H1606}}` is significant, revealing aspects of God's character and the nature of wisdom.
* **Divine Power over Creation:** God's rebuke is not merely verbal; it is an expression of His authority over the physical world. At His **rebuke**, seas dry up, the earth's foundations are revealed, and the pillars of heaven tremble ([[Isaiah 50:2]], [[Psalms 18:15]], [[Job 26:11]]).
* **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** The term is a vehicle for God's righteous anger. The Lord's **rebuke** is associated with His fury and is capable of causing armies to flee and people to perish ([[Isaiah 66:15]], [[Psalms 80:16]]).
* **A Test of Wisdom:** On a human level, the response to **reproof** serves as a moral and intellectual dividing line. A wise man is penetrated by a reproof, while a fool rejects it ([[Proverbs 17:10]], [[Proverbs 13:1]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1606}}` is far more than a simple chiding. It functions as a powerful declaration that carries divine authority, capable of altering the natural world and executing judgment. In its human application, it serves as a measure of wisdom and humility. The word **gᵉʻârâh** thus illustrates a concept that spans from cosmic power to personal character, showing how a rebuke can be both a world-shaking event and a path to wisdom.
TRV