from רָוָה; sated (with drink); drunkenness, watered.
Transliteration:râveh
Pronunciation:raw-veh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew adjective רָוֶה (râveh, `{{H7302}}`) derives from the verb רָוָה (rawah, `{{H7301}}`), meaning "to drink deeply," "to be saturated," or "to be abundantly watered." As an adjective or participle, râveh signifies a state of being "sated (with drink)," "well-watered," or "replenished." While the root can encompass the idea of drinking to excess, leading to "drunkenness" in some contexts (though not typically with this specific adjectival form in its biblical occurrences), its primary semantic range in the biblical texts where it appears points overwhelmingly to a positive state of abundant refreshment, satisfaction, and flourishing. It describes a condition of having one's thirst fully quenched, either literally or, more commonly in Scripture, metaphorically in a spiritual or communal sense.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word רָוֶה (râveh, `{{H7302}}`) appears in a few significant passages, consistently conveying a sense of profound refreshment and blessing:
* **[[Proverbs 11:25]]**: "The generous soul will be *made rich*, and he who waters will also be watered himself." Here, râveh is translated as "made rich" or "prosper" (KJV, ESV, NIV), reflecting the idea of being abundantly supplied or refreshed. The context is the reciprocal blessing that flows from generosity; those who give freely and refresh others will themselves be deeply satisfied and prospered, suggesting a spiritual and material well-being that is a consequence of righteous action.
* **[[Jeremiah 31:25]]**: "For I have *satiated* the weary soul, and every languishing soul I have replenished." In this prophetic promise of restoration for Israel, God declares His intention to bring deep comfort and renewal to those who are exhausted and sorrowful. râveh here emphasizes divine provision and the profound satisfaction that God alone can offer to a soul that is parched and weary from affliction or spiritual longing. It speaks to God's tender care and His power to restore vitality.
* **[[Isaiah 58:11]]**: "And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a *watered* garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." This passage describes the blessings bestowed upon those who truly honor God through justice and compassion. The imagery of a "watered garden" (gan râveh) powerfully conveys a state of constant flourishing, vitality, and resilience. It signifies a life of spiritual abundance and fruitfulness, nourished by God's unfailing provision, even in challenging or "scorched" environments.
Across these occurrences, râveh consistently highlights a state of being abundantly supplied, refreshed, and flourishing, particularly through divine action or as a result of righteous living.
### Related Words & Concepts
רָוֶה (râveh, `{{H7302}}`) is closely tied to its verbal root רָוָה (rawah, `{{H7301}}`), which denotes the action of drinking deeply or being saturated. Other related concepts and words include:
* **Water imagery:** Springs, rivers, rain, and gardens are often used in biblical literature to symbolize life, blessing, and divine provision. The concept of being "watered" is directly linked to these life-sustaining elements.
* **Thirst and dryness:** The antonymic state to râveh is one of thirst or spiritual dryness, which represents a lack of divine presence, blessing, or spiritual vitality.
* **Satisfaction and contentment:** The state of being râveh implies a deep sense of fulfillment and contentment, contrasting with the emptiness or dissatisfaction of a soul that lacks divine nourishment.
* **Abundance and prosperity:** The word often appears in contexts of blessing, signifying not just sufficiency but overflowing provision, both spiritual and sometimes material.
* **Divine provision:** The use of râveh frequently points to God as the ultimate source of refreshment, sustenance, and flourishing for His people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of רָוֶה (râveh, `{{H7302}}`) is profound, underscoring several key biblical themes:
* **God as the Source of Life and Satisfaction:** The consistent use of râveh in contexts of divine action (e.g., [[Jeremiah 31:25]], [[Isaiah 58:11]]) emphasizes God's role as the ultimate provider of spiritual and physical refreshment. He is the one who truly "satiates" the weary soul, offering a deep, abiding satisfaction that the world cannot provide. This resonates with the imagery of God as a "fountain of living waters" ([[Jeremiah 2:13]]).
* **The Blessings of Righteousness and Generosity:** Passages like [[Proverbs 11:25]] and [[Isaiah 58:11]] connect the state of being râveh to human conduct. Those who are generous, practice justice, and walk in God's ways are promised a reciprocal blessing of flourishing and replenishment. This highlights the principle that obedience and altruism lead to a life of spiritual vitality and divine favor.
* **Spiritual Flourishing and Resilience:** The metaphor of a "watered garden" ([[Isaiah 58:11]]) for the righteous signifies not merely survival but thriving, even in arid or challenging circumstances. It speaks to a deep-rooted spiritual strength and fruitfulness that comes from constant divine nourishment, enabling believers to remain vibrant and productive.
* **Hope and Restoration:** In the context of prophecy, râveh serves as a promise of future restoration and comfort for those who are suffering or spiritually depleted ([[Jeremiah 31:25]]). It offers a vision of God's redemptive work, bringing renewal and vitality to His people.
### Summary
רָוֶה (râveh, `{{H7302}}`) is a Hebrew adjective signifying a state of being deeply saturated, abundantly watered, or fully refreshed. While its root can encompass the idea of excess, the biblical occurrences of râveh consistently highlight a positive state of profound satisfaction and flourishing. It is used to describe the prosperity that follows generosity ([[Proverbs 11:25]]), God's divine replenishment for the weary soul ([[Jeremiah 31:25]]), and the vibrant, unceasing vitality of the righteous, likened to a well-watered garden ([[Isaiah 58:11]]). Theological, râveh underscores God as the ultimate source of life, satisfaction, and spiritual nourishment, emphasizing the reciprocal blessings of righteous living and the promise of enduring flourishing for those who walk in His ways.
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