Lexical Summary reuth: neighbor, another, another's Original Word: רְעוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance another, mate, neighbor From ra'ah in the sense of rea'; a female associate; generally an additional one -- + another, mate, neighbour. see HEBREW ra'ah see HEBREW rea' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raah Definition fellow (woman) NASB Translation another (1), another's (1), kind (1), mate (1), neighbor (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. רְעוּת noun feminine fellow (-woman); — suffix in reciprocal phrase אִשָּׁה מֵאֵת רְעוּתָהּ Exodus 11:2 (E) each from her fellow ("" אִישׁ מֵאֵת רֵעֵהוּ, compare II. רֵעַ 3); compare Jeremiah 9:19; of birds of prey (דַיּוֺת) Isaiah 34:15 compare Isaiah 34:16; people under figure of sheep Zechariah 11:9; רְעוּתָהּ Esther 1:19 = another than she (compare 1 Samuel 15:28 II. רֵעַ 2). Topical Lexicon Overview Appearing six times in the Old Testament, רְעוּת portrays the idea of a female companion, neighbor, or mate. Whether used in narrative, royal decree, prophetic poetry, or lament, the term always points to a close, reciprocal relationship. The contexts span covenant blessing, national judgment, personal companionship, and societal collapse, providing a rich tapestry for reflection on human connectedness under God’s sovereign hand. Narrative Foundations: Mutual Dependence in Exodus Exodus 11:2 introduces the word at the climactic moment before the exodus: “Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold”. The plea for valuables is possible only because of a recognized bond between Israelite women and their Egyptian counterparts. Even amid impending judgment, ordinary social ties become God’s instrument for resourcing His people. The term thus highlights how the Lord may use everyday relationships—co-workers, classmates, fellow citizens—to accomplish His redemptive plans. Royal Court and Female Solidarity in Esther In Esther 1:19 the word underlies the phrase “to a woman better than she,” as Vashti’s royal position is reassigned. The court announcement assumes that women share a circle of peers—each a רְעוּת by status and influence. The passage warns that privilege divorced from obedience invites replacement, while also underscoring God’s providential use of one woman to lift another into decisive service for His covenant people (compare Esther 4:14). Creation Echoes in Isaiah’s Wilderness Vision Isaiah 34:15–16 depicts desolation in Edom, yet even there “each with her mate” finds shelter. The prophet stresses that not one creature “shall lack her mate,” because God’s mouth has commanded it. רְעוּת here evokes the original pairing of creatures in Genesis 1–2. Judgment does not nullify the Creator’s order; He still sustains companionship among even unclean birds. The text therefore magnifies divine faithfulness in both wrath and mercy. Lament and Collapse of Community in Jeremiah and Zechariah Jeremiah 9:20 calls mourning women to teach “one another” a dirge, revealing how shared grief becomes a ministry of mutual exhortation. Conversely, Zechariah 11:9 shows the shepherd abandoning a flock that then “devour one another’s flesh”. When covenant shepherding is rejected, רְעוּת relationships become cannibalistic rather than caring. Together the two prophets frame companionship as either a channel of godly consolation or an arena of devastating self-destruction, depending on response to God’s word. Theological Significance 1. Image-Bearing Sociality: Humanity is created for relationship (Genesis 2:18). רְעוּת reminds readers that female relationships—whether neighborly, familial, or marital—are integral to God’s design. Practical Ministry Applications • Women’s Discipleship: Jeremiah 9:20 legitimizes female-to-female instruction in times of national crisis. Modern ministries can foster sisterly discipleship that equips women to counsel, lament, and hope together. Christological and New Testament Reflections Jesus deepens the neighbor principle, commanding, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). The New Testament church fulfills רְעוּת ideals through Spirit-wrought fellowship (Acts 2:42). Paul instructs believers to “serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13), and Peter calls husbands to live considerately with their wives as co-heirs (1 Peter 3:7), echoing the mate imagery of Isaiah 34. Under the new covenant, every believer becomes both neighbor and sibling, bound together in Christ who is the ultimate faithful Companion (Hebrews 13:5). Summary רְעוּת threads through Scripture as a quiet but potent witness to God’s purposes for human relationship. Whether enriching Israel on the eve of deliverance, reshaping royal destinies, sustaining wildlife in judgment, or exposing societal decay, the term insists that companionship matters to the Lord. In Christ, believers are empowered to redeem every neighborly bond, anticipating the day when no one shall lack his or her perfected mate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. Forms and Transliterations לִרְעוּתָ֖הּ לרעותה רְעוּתָ֔הּ רְעוּתָ֖הּ רְעוּתָֽהּ׃ רעותה רעותה׃ lir‘ūṯāh lir·‘ū·ṯāh liruTah rə‘ūṯāh rə·‘ū·ṯāh reuTahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 11:2 HEB: וְאִשָּׁה֙ מֵאֵ֣ת רְעוּתָ֔הּ כְּלֵי־ כֶ֖סֶף NAS: and each woman from her neighbor for articles KJV: and every woman of her neighbour, jewels INT: his neighbor and each her neighbor articles of silver Esther 1:19 Isaiah 34:15 Isaiah 34:16 Jeremiah 9:20 Zechariah 11:9 6 Occurrences |
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