Ra’ah: The FRIENDSHIP of Shepherds

In a few weeks we are going to break down the Hebrew word for friend, but this week we will simply introduce it, because the root word for friend is a bit complicated.

The Hebrew concept of friend comes from ra’ah (7462), the verb meaning to shepherd, to tend to a flock, to associate. A friendship is a shepherding relationship; shepherds work in a unit, caring for each other and the flocks they are responsible for. These shepherds have the same goal, caring for the sheep, but shepherds never take leadership over each other. They are companions, friends, colleagues of equal value with like-minded goals. They understand their purpose and their lives as companions are based on the comfort of having colleagues that are supportive, encouraging, caring and trustworthy. 

However, the root for friend sounds very similar to the verb ra’a (7489), which is a very negative word meaning to harm, to be evil, to be displeasing or wicked, to be hostile, or to cause affliction. This, of course, seems as far away from friendship as possible.

Because the words ra’ah [רָעָה] and ra’a [רָעַע] are identical in sound, there has been some confusion. Let’s look at one of these confusing passages:

Proverbs 18:24 (NASB)

A person of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

This passage starts with “Ish reyim,” meaning “A man of friends.” The confusion lies in the second half of the sentence, “comes to ruin”. In Hebrew, this is one singular word: l-hit-ro’eya [לְהִתְרֹעֵ֑עַ], and the construct of this word only shows up once, here in this passage. Although most translations render this word as, “come to ruin” or “may be harmed”, the New King James version instead reads, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The confusion lies in ra’ah versus ra’a.

אִ֣ישׁ רֵ֭עִים לְהִתְרֹעֵ֑עַ וְיֵ֥שׁ אֹ֝הֵ֗ב דָּבֵ֥ק מֵאָֽח׃

Most contemporary translators break down the word letter by letter and, seeing the double ayin letter at the end of the word, associates it with the harmful, hostile, ra’a (instead of ra’ah). This isn’t about being friendly back (that is a normal reaction in a good friendship), it’s about being wary of spreading your friendships too thin. A person with multiple friends is at risk of affliction and hardship, because if you’re not able to nurture friendships they may backfire on you. 

I think there is a clever twist here. There is a fine line between friends and enemies. It doesn’t take much to break down a friendship. Frenemy is a colloquial term these days, but it expresses the vulnerability of friendship. Trust and reliance is a key component of friendship. When trust is compromised and reliability is in question, the relationship can turn suddenly sour… an easy transition from friend to enemy.

But there’s another “friend” in this passage, “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

This “friend” isn’t a ra’ah rooted word; it’s the word ohev [אֹ֝הֵ֗ב] which comes from the root word for love (ahava). Therefore, it may be better translated as “Loved One”.

Here’s what I think Proverbs 18:24 is trying to tell us:

A person with many friends can be broken, but there is a Loved One who sticks so close that they are like unbreakable family. And this Loved One, no matter how damaged you feel, can put you back together!

Yeshua’s love is unbreakable. It cannot be shattered or broken down. We can be completely vulnerable and trusting of our God because there is no risk in this relationship. YHWH is completely reliable in His love and devotion to you. He will never turn on you. He will never betray your trust. He will never judge your vulnerabilities or your weaknesses. He will lift you up when you feel down. He will put His arms around you when you need shelter. He will never drop your call or “ghost” you. You need God’s help? YHWH will be there. It is a friendship beyond all friendships!

You may have many friends, or just a few, or maybe none at all… but you will never have a friend like Yeshua and the God who created you. Let Him be your best friend because this will be the one Being in your life who will always be 100% reliable and trustworthy. All your other friends will be wonderful bonuses in your life, like joyful treasures. Human friends are flawed and not always reliable, but they are a blessing worthy of forgiveness… just as you are, in the eyes of YHWH!

Next week: Sermon on Paul in Ephesus, followed by a deeper dive into friendship!