from רָוַח; room, literally (an interval) or figuratively (deliverance); enlargement, space.
Transliteration:revach
Pronunciation:reh'-vakh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H7305 (רֶוַח - revach) is derived from the root `{{H7304}}` (רָוַח - rawach), which primarily signifies "to be wide," "to be spacious," or "to breathe freely." Consequently, revach itself carries the core meaning of "room," "space," or "enlargement." Its semantic range extends from a literal sense of physical "interval" or "breathing room" to a more figurative understanding of "deliverance," "relief," or "freedom from constraint." It encapsulates the idea of an opening or expansion that alleviates pressure, narrowness, or distress, offering a sense of ease and unburdening.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H7305 appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its few occurrences are highly illustrative of its nuanced meaning:
* **[[Esther 4:14]]**: "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
* Here, revach is coupled with `{{H2504}}` (hatzalah), meaning "deliverance" or "rescue." The context is the existential threat facing the Jewish people due to Haman's decree. revach in this verse clearly refers to a divinely orchestrated "relief" or "breathing space" from the impending genocide. It speaks of an "enlargement" out of a situation of extreme constriction and peril, implying that even if Esther fails, God will provide an avenue of escape and freedom for His people from an unexpected source.
* **[[Job 32:20]]**: "I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer."
* In this passage, Elihu, compelled by the Spirit, expresses an urgent need to speak. The revach he seeks is not external physical space but internal, psychological, or emotional "relief." He feels constrained and burdened by his thoughts and observations, and speaking them out provides the necessary "room" or "outlet" for his spirit, alleviating the internal pressure. It signifies the release that comes from unburdening one's mind or heart.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root `{{H7304}}` (רָוַח - rawach), from which revach is derived. This root emphasizes the action of "being wide," "having ample room," or "breathing freely," directly informing the noun's meaning of spaciousness and relief.
Concepts closely associated with revach include:
* **Deliverance/Salvation**: `{{H2504}}` (hatzalah) as seen in Esther, and `{{H3444}}` (yeshua), often signifying rescue from distress.
* **Comfort/Consolation**: `{{H5162}}` (nacham), which can bring ease to a burdened spirit.
* **Peace/Well-being**: `{{H7965}}` (shalom), implying a state of wholeness and freedom from disturbance.
* **Breadth/Spaciousness**: `{{H7342}}` (rachav) or `{{H7337}}` (rachav), which often describe physical expansiveness or a metaphorical state of blessing and freedom (e.g., God setting one's feet in a broad place, [[Psalm 31:8]]).
Conversely, the antonyms or contrasting concepts include:
* **Distress/Affliction**: `{{H6862}}` (tsarah), a common biblical term for narrowness or tribulation.
* **Confinement/Oppression**: States that deny revach, such as being in a "tight place" (`{{H6693}}` - tsoq).
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of revach is profound, particularly in its implications for divine action and human experience:
* **Divine Provision and Sovereign Deliverance**: In the context of Esther, revach underscores God's sovereign ability to create "space" and "relief" for His people, even when human efforts seem insufficient or impossible. It speaks to a divine intervention that opens a way where there seemed to be none, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant and His people. This is not merely human ingenuity but a divinely orchestrated "enlargement" from a constricted, life-threatening state. It serves as a powerful testament to God's unfailing commitment to preserve His chosen nation.
* **Freedom of Spirit and Expression**: In Job, revach highlights the intrinsic human need for an outlet, for "breathing room" for the spirit and mind. The inability to articulate one's thoughts or emotions can lead to profound internal pressure, and revach represents the necessary relief found in releasing that pressure. Theologically, this can be understood as God granting the freedom for authentic expression, both in relationship with Him and with others, acknowledging the holistic well-being of the human person.
* **God as the Giver of Enlargement**: The concept implies that true "room" or "enlargement"—whether physical safety, emotional freedom, or spiritual liberation—ultimately originates from God. He is the one who "makes space" for His people, delivering them from tight spots and leading them into a place of freedom and blessing. This resonates with biblical themes of God leading His people into a spacious land ([[Exodus 3:8]]) or setting their feet in a broad place ([[Psalm 18:19]]).
* **Hope in Adversity**: The use of revach in Esther provides a powerful message of hope: even in the face of annihilation, God can provide revach and hatzalah from unexpected sources. It encourages reliance on divine providence when human solutions fail, testifying to God's power to create relief where there is only distress.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H7305 (רֶוַח - revach), derived from the root `{{H7304}}` meaning "to be wide" or "to breathe freely," signifies "room," "space," "enlargement," or "relief." Its rare but potent biblical occurrences reveal its dual application: literally as an "interval" or figuratively as "deliverance" from constraint. In [[Esther 4:14]], revach is paired with `{{H2504}}` (hatzalah), portraying God's sovereign provision of "relief and deliverance" for His people from dire oppression, emphasizing divine intervention that creates space where there was none. In [[Job 32:20]], it signifies the psychological or emotional "relief" found in expressing pent-up thoughts, an internal "breathing room." Theologically, revach points to God as the ultimate source of freedom, enlargement, and deliverance, providing space and relief from distress, whether external persecution or internal pressure, thereby underscoring His faithfulness and the profound hope He offers in adversity.
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