Lexical Summary revachah: Relief, respite, deliverance, enlargement Original Word: רְוָחָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance breathing, respite Feminine of revach; relief -- breathing, respite. see HEBREW revach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ravach Definition respite, relief NASB Translation relief (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs רְוָחָה noun feminine respite, relief; — absolute ׳ר Exodus 8:11 (J); suffix רַוְחָתִי Lamentations 3:56 (Ew Löhr BuComm. צַוְחָתִי my outcry; then strike out שַׁוְעָתִי as gloss); read לָֽרְוָחָה also for ᵑ0 לָֽרְוָיָה Psalm 66:12 (see below רוה). רְוָיָה see רוה Topical Lexicon Concept and Overview רְוָחָה denotes relief, breathing-space, or deliverance after pressure. The word captures the moment when crushing circumstances ease and hope surges anew. In Scripture this respite is never merely psychological; it is grounded in the sovereign action of God who grants spaciousness where there was confinement. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Exodus 8:15 – “When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.” Historical Context In Egypt, Pharaoh’s brief respite from judgment exposed the hardness of an unregenerate heart: mercy became an occasion for further rebellion. Centuries later, besieged Jerusalem cried for the same רְוָחָה amid devastation. The shift from royal arrogance (Exodus) to covenant-people lament (Lamentations) shows that all humanity—oppressor or oppressed—depends on God for deliverance. Theological Implications 1. Divine Initiative: Relief is portrayed as a gift, not a human achievement. Even Pharaoh’s “relief” came by the LORD’s hand in lifting the plague. Relationship to Divine Deliverance רְוָחָה belongs to a family of salvation terms (יְשׁוּעָה, גְּאֻלָּה) highlighting different facets of God’s rescue. Whereas יְשׁוּעָה points to full salvation, רְוָחָה often marks an interim mercy that sustains faith until ultimate redemption arrives. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Pastoral Care: Offer tangible “breathing-space” to those under pressure—time, resources, and intercession reflect the character of God who grants רְוָחָה. Christological Fulfillment Jesus embodies ultimate relief: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). The cross removes the weight of sin, and the empty tomb secures eternal spaciousness. Every temporal רְוָחָה foreshadows this greater liberation. Concluding Reflections רְוָחָה reminds believers that God measures suffering, appoints its limits, and provides intervals of mercy designed to lead either to hardened unbelief or to deeper trust. Embracing these moments with thankful obedience prepares the church to testify that true and lasting relief is found in the Redeemer who sets His people in a broad place forever (Psalm 18:19). Forms and Transliterations הָֽרְוָחָ֔ה הרוחה לְרַוְחָתִ֖י לרוחתי hā·rə·wā·ḥāh harevaChah hārəwāḥāh lə·raw·ḥā·ṯî leravchaTi lərawḥāṯîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 8:15 HEB: כִּ֤י הָֽיְתָה֙ הָֽרְוָחָ֔ה וְהַכְבֵּד֙ אֶת־ NAS: saw that there was relief, he hardened KJV: saw that there was respite, he hardened INT: for there was relief hardened his heart Lamentations 3:56 2 Occurrences |
    |