Jehovah-Raah is one of the most comforting names of God.
He is our Shepherd — our Guide through all of life. Every time we go through a hard time; when people are nearing the end of the life, we turn to Psalm 23. It is one of the most quoted passages of the Bible.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23
There are so many books that have been written about sheep and the care a shepherd gives his sheep and how that relates to God being our Shepherd. We will get more into contemplating this wonderful truth next week. This week, I want to share more about the meaning of the Greek word, where we see it in Scripture, and what it means.
The name Jehovah-ra`ah is also sometimes written as Jehovah-rohi.
Here is what the word ra`ah or rohi means:
- Ra`ah or Rohi means “to feed.” This word by itself (without Jehovah being attached to it) is first used in Genesis 37:2 (“Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock [rohi] with his brethren….”) Here we see the primary meaning of the name. We see many references to shepherds and sheep in the Old Testament as the patriarchs were shepherds. This is the Greek word that would be used.
- The secondary meaning of this word is “the relationship between a prince or leader and his people.” We see this word in this context in 2 Samuel 5:2:
- Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people [ra`ah] Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
- It can also signify “the relationship between a priest or prophet and his people.” We see this meaning in Jeremiah 3:15:
- And I will give you pastors [ra`ah] according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
- Figuratively, it can also be used in regard to folly and judgment.
- The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth [ra`ah] on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14
- I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed [ra`ah] them with judgment.
- It can be used to show friendship. It can even be translated “friend” or “companion.” So Jehovah–Ra`ah could be translated as “The Lord my Friend.” We see ra`ah being used in this context in Exodus 33:11a
- And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend [rea` which is an extended translation of ra`ah].
Next week, we’ll look at Jehovah- Ra`ah (Rohi).
We see the combination of Jehovah and Ra`ah as a name of God first used in Psalm 23. This is a very personal and intimate name of God. It has to do with our relationship with the Lord; many times it has to do with feeding.
I’ll also share some printables for this name of God! Here are all the other posts done so far for names of God:
- Names of God (List of books I used to study for this series)
- Elohim, The Creator God (free printables)
- El Elyon, The God Most High (free printables)
- El-Roi, The God Who Sees (free printables)
- El-Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One (free printables)
- Adonai, The Lord (free printables)
- Jehovah, The Self-Existent One, Part 1
- Jehovah, The Self-Existent One, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide, Part 1
- Jehovah Jireh, The Lord Will Provide, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 1
- Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 2
- Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals, Part 3 (free printables)
- Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner, Part 1
- Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah-mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You, Part 1
- Jehovah-mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Is Peace, Part 1
- Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts, Part 1
- Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts, Part 2 (free printables)
- Jehovah Raah: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 1
- Jehovah Raah: The Lord is My Shepherd, Part 2 (free printables)
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