Lexical Summary razeh: Lean, thin Original Word: רָזֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lean From razah; thin -- lean. see HEBREW razah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom razah Definition lean NASB Translation lean (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רָזֶה] adjective lean (on formation compare LagBN 49); — feminine singular רָזָה, Ezekiel 24:20 (of שֶׂה; opposed to בִּרְיָה), of land, = barren, Numbers 13:20 (J E; opposed to שְׁמֵנָה). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Imagery רָזֶה (razeh) conveys the idea of being lean, thin, or emaciated. In everyday ancient Hebrew it could describe people, animals, or even land that lacks the fullness expected under normal, healthy conditions. The word therefore creates an immediate visual contrast between abundance and scarcity, strength and weakness, plenty and want. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Numbers 13:20 contrasts a “fertile or unproductive” land—literally “fat or lean.” The term helps the spies frame their report: the Promised Land is either brimming with richness or stripped to bare essentials. Agrarian and Pastoral Context Agricultural societies measured well-being in fattened livestock and robust harvests. A lean cow or a scrawny sheep signaled drought, disease, or mismanagement. Thus רָזֶה evokes more than physical thinness; it signals systemic failure—of weather, leadership, or covenant faithfulness. In communal life, that failure threatens worship and livelihood alike. Theological Implications 1. Covenant Blessing versus Curse – In Numbers, “fat” fields represent divine favor, while the possibility of “lean” terrain reminds Israel of the curses spelled out in Leviticus 26:19-20 and Deuteronomy 28:23-24. Practical and Pastoral Applications • Ministry to the Marginalized – Modern shepherds must guard against creating “lean sheep” through neglect or self-interest. Visiting the shut-in, advocating for the poor, and equitable resource distribution answer Ezekiel’s indictment. Christological and Eschatological Overtones The lean sheep motif reaches its fullness in the separation of sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Christ vindicates the frail and judges exploiters, echoing Ezekiel. Likewise, Revelation 7:17 promises that the Lamb “will shepherd them” and remove every lack. רָזֶה ultimately dissolves in the eschaton, replaced by overflowing tables (Psalm 23:5) and New-Creation abundance (Revelation 22:1-2). Summary רָזֶה sharpens the biblical polarity between scarcity and abundance, oppression and care, faithless leadership and faithful Shepherd. It prompts sober reflection on covenant responsibility and stirs hope in the Shepherd-King who rescues every lean sheep and fills the land with everlasting plenty. Forms and Transliterations רָזָ֗ה רָזָֽה׃ רזה רזה׃ rā·zāh raZah rāzāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 13:20 HEB: הִ֜וא אִם־ רָזָ֗ה הֲיֵֽשׁ־ בָּ֥הּ NAS: is it fat or lean? Are there trees KJV: [is], whether it [be] fat or lean, whether there be INT: he or lean be trees Ezekiel 34:20 2 Occurrences |
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