Lexical Summary rea: Friend, companion, neighbor Original Word: רֵעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance aloud, noise, shouted From ruwa'; a crash (of thunder), noise (of war), shout (of joy) -- X aloud, noise, shouted. see HEBREW ruwa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rua Definition perhaps shouting, roar NASB Translation loudly (1), noise (1), shouted (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רֵעַ verbal noun shouting, roar, but dubious; — קוֺל הָעָם בְּרֵעֹה֯ Exodus 32:17 (E) sound of the people as they shouted (read Infinitive construct בָּרִעֹה for בְּהָרִיעוֺ, compare √5); יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵע֑וֺ Job 36:33 the roar thereof telleth of him (< רַעְמוֺ his thunder, so Bu); לָמָּה תָרִיעִי רֵעַ Micah 4:9 why criest thou out with a crying? i.e. so loudly (but see √ 6 ). — II. III. רֵעַ see רעה. p. 945f Topical Lexicon Summary of Concept רֵעַ depicts a loud, collective sound—whether joyous, defiant, threatening, or agonized. It is never a measured speech but an outburst that immediately reveals the spiritual condition of the people who emit it and the sovereignty of the God who judges it. Occurrences and Narrative Settings • Exodus 32:17 sets the word in the cacophony of Israel’s golden-calf festival. The “sound of the people shouting” misleads Joshua into thinking a battle is underway. The text contrasts empty revelry with the soon-to-be-heard authoritative voice of the Lord through Moses. Theological Trajectory 1. Discerning True Worship. Exodus 32 demonstrates that not every passionate roar is acceptable praise. Ministry must distinguish between enthusiasm born of truth and that stirred by idolatry (compare John 4:24). Historical Insights Ancient Near-Eastern cultures prized the battle-cry and festival shout as demonstrations of loyalty and power. By employing the same term for idolatrous revelry, cosmic thunder, and national lament, Scripture subverts pagan assumptions: only the covenant God controls the outcome behind every sound. Ministry Applications • Worship Leadership: Evaluate corporate gatherings for substance over volume. Genuine worship will align fervor with obedience. Eschatological Outlook The final reversal appears in Revelation 19:6 when a “great multitude” releases a thunderous cry that harmonizes earth and heaven under Christ’s reign. רֵעַ foreshadows that consummate roar, inviting the faithful to anticipate the day when every competing noise is silenced and only righteous jubilation remains. Forms and Transliterations בְּרֵעֹ֑ה ברעה רֵ֑עַ רֵע֑וֹ רע רעו bə·rê·‘ōh bərê‘ōh bereOh rê‘ōw rê·‘ōw rê·a‘ Rea rêa‘ reOLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 32:17 HEB: ק֥וֹל הָעָ֖ם בְּרֵעֹ֑ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־ NAS: of the people as they shouted, he said KJV: of the people as they shouted, he said INT: the sound of the people shouted said to Job 36:33 Micah 4:9 3 Occurrences |
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