active participle of רָאָה; a seer (as often rendered); but also (abstractly) a vision; vision.
Transliteration:rôʼeh
Pronunciation:ro-eh'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *rôʼeh* (`{{H7203}}`) is an active participle derived from the verb *ra'ah* (`{{H7200}}`), which fundamentally means "to see," "to perceive," "to look at," or "to discern." As an active participle, its primary and most common meaning is "one who sees," hence, a "seer." This designates an individual who possesses spiritual insight or the ability to receive divine revelation through perception. However, the semantic range of *rôʼeh* also extends to an abstract sense, referring to "a vision" or "sight" itself, implying the content or object of such spiritual seeing. Thus, *rôʼeh* encompasses both the divinely appointed individual who perceives God's will and, in certain contexts, the very revelation or insight that is perceived.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of *rôʼeh* as "seer" is particularly prominent in the historical books of the Old Testament, often in relation to early prophetic figures. A key passage for understanding its historical context is [[1 Samuel 9:9]], which explicitly states, "Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, 'Come, let us go to the seer,' for today's 'prophet' was formerly called a 'seer.'" This verse highlights *rôʼeh* as an earlier designation for what later became known as a *navi'* (prophet, `{{H5030}}`).
Notable individuals identified as *rôʼeh* include:
* **Samuel:** He is the paradigmatic example, explicitly called a *rôʼeh* in [[1 Samuel 9:9]], indicating his role as one who saw and discerned God's will for Israel.
* **Gad:** Referred to as David's *rôʼeh* in [[2 Samuel 24:11]] and [[1 Chronicles 29:29]]. This demonstrates the seer's function as a trusted divine counselor to the king, delivering God's instructions and warnings.
* **Hanani:** A seer who confronted King Asa for his reliance on the king of Aram rather than the Lord ([[2 Chronicles 16:7]], [[2 Chronicles 16:10]]). This illustrates the seer's courageous role in delivering divine rebuke to even the highest authorities.
* **Iddo:** Mentioned as a seer whose records contributed to the historical accounts of King Solomon and King Rehoboam ([[2 Chronicles 9:29]], [[2 Chronicles 12:15]], [[2 Chronicles 13:22]]).
* **Jeduthun:** A seer associated with musical service in the temple ([[2 Chronicles 35:15]]), indicating that the gift of spiritual sight could manifest in various forms of service.
In its abstract sense of "vision" or "sight," *rôʼeh* appears less frequently but offers crucial insights. In [[Isaiah 28:7]], it describes a "vision" (*rôʼeh*) that is marred by intoxication, indicating a corrupted perception or insight. Similarly, in [[Isaiah 30:10]], the rebellious people tell the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions (*rôʼeh*)." Here, *rôʼeh* refers to the deceptive or misleading content of false prophetic messages, underscoring the potential for spiritual sight to be perverted or for its output to be unfaithful to God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Verb *ra'ah* (`{{H7200}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to see," "to perceive," or "to understand." The essence of *rôʼeh* is rooted in this fundamental act of perception, both physical and spiritual.
* **Prophet (*navi'*, `{{H5030}}`):** As established in [[1 Samuel 9:9]], *rôʼeh* was an earlier term for what later became known as a *navi'*. While both roles involve receiving divine communication, *rôʼeh* emphasizes the *seeing* or *perceiving* of revelation, whereas *navi'* emphasizes the *speaking* or *proclaiming* of God's word. The two terms highlight different facets of the same divine office.
* **Seer (*hozeh*, `{{H2374}}`):** Another prominent term for a seer, derived from the verb *hazah* (`{{H2372}}`), also meaning "to see," particularly in a visionary or revelatory sense. *Hozeh* and *rôʼeh* are often used interchangeably or in parallel, indicating a close semantic relationship and functional overlap. For instance, Gad is called both *rôʼeh* ([[2 Samuel 24:11]]) and *hozeh* ([[1 Chronicles 29:29]]).
* **Vision (*hazon*, `{{H2377}}`; *mareh*, `{{H4758}}`):** These terms consistently refer to the content of divine revelation received through sight. While *rôʼeh* can occasionally denote the "vision" itself (e.g., [[Isaiah 28:7]]), *hazon* is more commonly used for a prophetic vision, and *mareh* for a visible appearance or spectacle, whether divine or otherwise.
### Theological Significance
The concept of *rôʼeh* is deeply significant for understanding divine revelation in ancient Israel. It underscores God's initiative in communicating His will to humanity through individuals specially gifted with spiritual perception. The seer was an indispensable figure, serving as God's direct channel for guidance, warning, and comfort to both leaders and the general populace.
The historical shift from *rôʼeh* to *navi'* (prophet) as the primary designation for God's spokespersons ([[1 Samuel 9:9]]) is noteworthy. While the ability to "see" divine truth remained fundamental, the increasing prominence of *navi'* suggests an evolving emphasis on the *proclamation* and *delivery* of God's word to the people. This highlights that divine communication is not merely about receiving insight but also about faithfully conveying it.
The office of the *rôʼeh* reflects God's active involvement in the covenant community, providing a consistent source of divine counsel and accountability. Seers often challenged kings and the people to remain faithful to God's commands, acting as spiritual watchmen.
Furthermore, the dual meaning of *rôʼeh* (the seer and the vision) underscores the intimate connection between the recipient of revelation and the revelation itself. The seer's identity and authority are intrinsically linked to what they "see" from God. The negative uses of *rôʼeh* in Isaiah ([[Isaiah 28:7]], [[Isaiah 30:10]]) serve as a vital theological caution: not all "seeing" or "visions" are from God. There is a clear distinction between true divine insight and humanly concocted or spiritually corrupted "visions," necessitating discernment and adherence to the authentic word of the Lord.
### Summary
*Rôʼeh* (`{{H7203}}`) is a rich Hebrew term, primarily functioning as an active participle of *ra'ah* (`{{H7200}}`), signifying "one who sees" or a "seer." This office played a crucial role in early Israelite history, with figures like Samuel and Gad serving as divinely appointed individuals who received and conveyed God's will. The term emphasizes the spiritual perception and insight granted by God. While largely synonymous with "prophet" (*navi'*, `{{H5030}}`), *rôʼeh* particularly highlights the visual aspect of receiving revelation. Less frequently, *rôʼeh* can abstractly refer to the "vision" or "revelation" itself, sometimes in a negative context, denoting false or misleading insights. Theologically, *rôʼeh* illuminates God's direct communication with humanity through specially gifted individuals, providing divine guidance and accountability, while also serving as a cautionary reminder of the need to discern between true and false spiritual sight.
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