a primitive root; to reel, i.e. (figuratively) to brandish; terribly shake.
Transliteration:râʻal
Pronunciation:raw-al'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H7477}}` (רָעַל, *râʻal*) is a primitive root carrying the core meaning of a violent, unstable motion. Its primary semantic range includes "to reel," "to shake terribly," and, by extension, "to brandish." The idea conveyed is not merely a gentle tremor but a significant, often violent and disorienting, movement. "To reel" suggests a loss of balance or stability, akin to dizziness or staggering. "To shake terribly" emphasizes the intensity and potentially the fear-inducing nature of the motion. When used in the sense of "to brandish," it implies a forceful, deliberate, and often menacing shaking, typically of a weapon, signifying power and readiness for conflict. The underlying concept is one of profound disturbance and instability.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H7477}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible in a limited number of powerful contexts:
* **[[Isaiah 24:18]]**: "The windows from on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth do shake (תִּרְעָל)." Here, `{{H7477}}` describes the catastrophic shaking of the earth itself. The context is one of cosmic judgment and the desolation of the world due to the inhabitants' transgression of God's laws. The verb emphasizes a profound, destabilizing tremor that affects the very foundations of creation, underscoring the severity of divine wrath.
* **[[Nahum 2:3]] (MT 2:4)**: "The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken (הָרְעָלוּ)." While some translations interpret this as "spears brandished" (referring to the violent movement of weapons), the literal rendering of "fir trees shall be terribly shaken" or "sway violently" still conveys a sense of intense, forceful movement. The context is the description of the Assyrian army's fearsome advance and the impending destruction of Nineveh, highlighting the overwhelming and menacing power of the invading forces.
* **[[Zechariah 12:2]]**: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling (סַף רַעַל) unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem." In this instance, `{{H7477}}` is used in its nominal form (רַעַל, *raʻal*), meaning "trembling," "reeling," or "dizziness." Jerusalem is depicted as a "cup of reeling" that will cause confusion, disorientation, and incapacitation to all nations who attack it. This signifies a divine judgment that will render the enemies of God's people helpless and unstable, unable to achieve their malicious aims.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H7477}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms related to shaking, trembling, and instability:
* `{{H7493}}` (רָעַשׁ, *raʻash*): To quake, shake, tremble; often used for earthquakes or the trembling of mountains.
* `{{H2111}}` (זוּעַ, *zuaʻ*): To tremble, shake, be in dread.
* `{{H2729}}` (חָרַד, *kharad*): To tremble, be afraid, be anxious.
* `{{H6342}}` (פָּחַד, *pakhad*): To dread, fear, tremble.
* `{{H5128}}` (נוּעַ, *nuaʻ*): To waver, stagger, wander, shake.
The concept of `{{H7477}}` often appears in contexts of divine judgment, cosmic upheaval, and military might, contrasting with concepts of stability, peace, and security. It is closely related to the idea of disorientation and loss of control, particularly when inflicted by a superior force.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of `{{H7477}}` are deeply significant for understanding God's character and His interaction with creation and humanity:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**: The most prominent theological implication of `{{H7477}}` is its connection to God's absolute sovereignty and His exercise of judgment. The earth reeling in [[Isaiah 24:18]] is a direct consequence of human sin and a powerful demonstration of God's control over the very fabric of the cosmos. Similarly, the "cup of trembling" in [[Zechariah 12:2]] is a divine act that incapacitates Jerusalem's enemies, showing God's protection of His people through the disorientation of their adversaries.
* **Manifestation of Power**: Whether in the cosmic shaking or the imagery of violent military movement, `{{H7477}}` consistently points to an overwhelming display of power. When God causes something to `{{H7477}}`, it signifies an irresistible, disruptive force that cannot be withstood by human strength or earthly foundations.
* **Instability of the Ungodly and Worldly Systems**: The reeling of the earth and the trembling of nations underscore the inherent fragility and instability of all things apart from God. Human systems, even seemingly strong ones, are shown to be vulnerable and easily shaken when confronted by divine will.
* **Hope for God's People**: While the shaking described by `{{H7477}}` is terrifying for the wicked and for those under judgment, for God's chosen people, it often precedes deliverance or the establishment of His righteous kingdom. The "cup of trembling" is for Jerusalem's enemies, not for Jerusalem itself, signifying God's active intervention on behalf of His covenant people.
### Summary
`{{H7477}}` (רָעַל, *râʻal*) is a potent Hebrew verb denoting a violent, destabilizing motion: "to reel," "to shake terribly," or "to brandish." Though rare in biblical usage, its occurrences are profoundly significant, consistently linking it to moments of intense divine activity. In [[Isaiah 24:18]], it depicts the earth reeling under God's judgment, signifying cosmic upheaval. In [[Nahum 2:3]], it conveys the menacing, violent movement associated with military might. Most notably, in [[Zechariah 12:2]], its derived noun form describes a "cup of trembling" that incapacitates Jerusalem's enemies, highlighting divine judgment and the disorientation it brings. Theologically, `{{H7477}}` underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His awesome power to bring about judgment, manifesting as a terrifying, disruptive force that reveals the inherent instability of the world and its systems, while ultimately serving His redemptive purposes and ensuring the security of His people.
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