The Hebrew word rôaʻ, represented by H7455, describes badness, both physical and moral. It is derived from the root H7489 (râʻaʻ), which means to spoil or make bad. Appearing 19 times across 19 unique verses, H7455 is used to denote wickedness, naughtiness, sadness, and a state of being so bad as to be marred or ruined.
In the biblical narrative, H7455 most frequently describes the "wickedness of their doings," a phrase that appears repeatedly as a cause for divine judgment Hosea 9:15. God's fury is said to burn like an unquenchable fire because of the evil of the people's actions Jeremiah 4:4. The term also describes a condition of the heart, as when Eliab accuses David of having "pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart" 1 Samuel 17:28. Beyond moral corruption, it is used to describe physical states, such as the lean kine seen in Pharaoh's dream, which were unprecedented in their badness Genesis 41:19, and figs that were so bad they could not be eaten Jeremiah 24:2. It can also signify emotional distress, like the "sorrow of heart" Nehemiah 2:2 or "sadness of the countenance" Ecclesiastes 7:3.
Several related words help clarify the scope and context of rôaʻ:
- H7489 râʻaʻ (to do evil, do harm): This is the primitive root from which H7455 is derived, signifying the action of making something bad or doing evil. In Isaiah 1:16, the people are commanded to "put away the evil H7455 of your doings... cease to do evil H7489."
- H7451 raʻ (bad or evil): This general term for evil is often used alongside H7455 to intensify the meaning. In the vision of the figs, some are described as very evil H7451, to the point that they cannot be eaten for their badness H7455 Jeremiah 24:3.
- H2534 chêmâh (fury, wrath): This word describes the divine response to human wickedness. God warns that his fury will come forth like fire because of the evil H7455 of their doings Jeremiah 21:12.
The theological weight of H7455 is primarily linked to the consequences of sin and disobedience.
- A Consequence of Action: The word is overwhelmingly tied to human "doings" and "endeavours." This highlights that the badness is not an abstract force but a direct result of people's choices and actions, for which they will be held accountable Psalms 28:4.
- The Provocation of Judgment: The wickedness of human deeds is repeatedly cited as the reason for God's judgment, including cursing, vexation, and rebuke Deuteronomy 28:20. Because of this evil, God's land becomes a desolation, an astonishment, and a curse Jeremiah 44:22.
- A Comprehensive Corruption: H7455 describes a corruption that is both internal, seen in the "naughtiness of thine heart" 1 Samuel 17:28, and external, through wicked actions. Its use to describe inedible figs and sickly kine connects moral decay with physical ruin.
In summary, H7455 rôaʻ is a potent term for badness in its various forms. It moves beyond a simple label for evil to define a state of active moral corruption tied to human deeds, a spoiled physical condition, and deep emotional sorrow. Its consistent use in connection with divine judgment underscores that the "wickedness of doings" has severe and unavoidable consequences, revealing a core biblical principle of accountability before God.
TRV