Lexical Summary reah: Scent, aroma, fragrance, odor Original Word: רֵעָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance companion, fellow Feminine of rea'; a female associate -- companion, fellow. see HEBREW rea' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raah Definition companion, attendant NASB Translation companions (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [רֵעָה] noun feminine companion, attendant; — of maidens, plural suffix רֵעוֺתָ֑י Judges 11:37 Qr ( > Kt רעיתי), רֵעוֺתֶיהָ Judges 11:38; Psalm 45:15. Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Hebrew 7464 designates a close female companion. The term appears only twice, always in settings where a young woman’s life‐defining moment is witnessed and supported by a circle of like-hearted virgins. Though brief, these references illuminate the communal dimensions of covenant vows, purity, and royal celebration within the life of Israel. Biblical Occurrences and Contexts 1. Judges 11:38. After Jephthah’s rash vow, his daughter requests two months to lament her virginity. “So she left with her friends and wept upon the mountains because of her virginity”. The companions share her sorrow, serving as witnesses to her faithfulness and to the gravity of her father’s promise before God. 2. Psalm 45:14. In a psalm portraying the royal wedding, “In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her—those brought to be with her”. The entourage amplifies the bride’s honor, forming a procession that highlights ceremonial joy and regal dignity. Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern weddings commonly featured attendants who sang, danced, and bore witness to the covenant ceremony. Likewise, the mourning customs of Israel allowed groups of friends to accompany the afflicted, giving communal expression to grief. Both settings emphasize that significant personal vows—whether sorrowful or jubilant—took place in the presence of an affirming community. Theological Themes Purity. In each passage the companions are explicitly virgins, underscoring ceremonial cleanness and moral integrity. Their status mirrors the spiritual calling of God’s people to be set apart. Witness and Accountability. Jephthah’s daughter’s companions validate her obedience, while the bride’s companions verify the legitimacy of the royal marriage. Covenant commitments are never merely private affairs; they invite community verification. Shared Joy and Shared Sorrow. Romans 12:15—“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep”—finds vivid Old Testament parallels here. God’s design for His people includes compassionate solidarity in every season. Connections to New Testament Imagery Matthew 25:1–13 depicts ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom, echoing Psalm 45’s procession. The Church, as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25–27; Revelation 19:7–8), is accompanied by faithful witnesses who preserve holiness and readiness. The role of companions therefore foreshadows the corporate dimension of salvation history, wherein individual devotion is nurtured through fellowship. Applications for Contemporary Ministry • Women’s Discipleship. The passages validate intentional sisterhoods that uphold purity, covenant loyalty, and mutual encouragement. Churches can foster small groups where commitments are voiced and supported. • Pastoral Care in Grief. Jephthah’s daughter models lament in community rather than isolation. Modern ministry should provide safe spaces for believers to process sorrow under godly witness. • Celebrating Covenant Milestones. Psalm 45 encourages public, joyful ceremonies—weddings, baptisms, ordinations—that magnify God’s grace before gathered believers. • Teaching on Vows. The sober outcome of Judges 11 cautions against impulsive promises, urging careful, prayerful commitments under communal accountability. Concluding Reflections Though occurring only twice, רֵעָה portrays a vital biblical truth: life’s pivotal vows are enriched and safeguarded by consecrated companionship. The friends who weep on rugged hillsides and the virgins who sing in palace courts together remind the people of God that holiness and joy flourish best within a faithful, witnessing community. Forms and Transliterations וְרֵ֣עוֹתֶ֔יהָ ורעותיה רֵעוֹתֶ֑יהָ רעותיה rê‘ōwṯehā rê·‘ō·w·ṯe·hā reoTeiha veReoTeiha wə·rê·‘ō·w·ṯe·hā wərê‘ōwṯehāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 11:38 HEB: וַתֵּ֤לֶךְ הִיא֙ וְרֵ֣עוֹתֶ֔יהָ וַתֵּ֥בְךְּ עַל־ NAS: and she left with her companions, and wept KJV: and she went with her companions, and bewailed INT: left he her companions and wept because Psalm 45:14 2 Occurrences |
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