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רְאֵם

𐤓𐤀𐤌

rᵉʼêm

H7214 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ראָם to be high, to be exalted, to lift up

Definition

Large wild bovine, commonly identified as the aurochs (Bos primigenius), a now-extinct species of wild cattle native to the ancient Near East and surrounding regions. In biblical usage, רְאֵם refers to a powerful, untamable animal noted for its strength and majesty, often depicted in poetic and parallel structures emphasizing wildness and might. Earlier translations rendered it as 'unicorn,' but there is no evidence that a single-horned animal is meant; rather, it designates an impressive wild ox or similar type of wild cattle.

Semantic Range

wild ox, aurochs, large wild bovine, symbol of strength or might; (in older translations) unicorn

Root / Etymology

Root רָאַם (ram), meaning 'to be high, to lift up.' רְאֵם is derived from this root, possibly referring to the animal's elevated stature, conspicuous presence, or its prominent horns. The connection between the root meaning 'to be high/exalted' and the lexical meaning of a powerful, wild animal likely reflects the impression of grandeur or notable appearance.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, רְאֵם appears chiefly in poetic passages (e.g., Numbers 23:22; Deuteronomy 33:17; Job 39:9–10; Psalms 22:22, 29:6, 92:11; Isaiah 34:7), where it symbolizes unrestrained power and natural strength. Early Greek (LXX) and Latin (Vulgate) translators associated it with mythical animals (e.g., 'monokeros,' 'unicornis'), leading to the traditional 'unicorn' rendering in early English Bibles. However, archaeological and zoological evidence points to the aurochs as the most plausible referent—a real, massive wild ox known in the ancient Near East before its extinction in the Roman period. רְאֵם functions rhetorically to evoke imagery of indomitable and untamable strength, often in contrast to domestic cattle or as a metaphor for national might. Modern translations tend to use 'wild ox.' Unlike domesticated cattle (בָּקָר‎, פַּר‎), רְאֵם denotes an exclusively wild creature, outside human control. Its appearance, often in parallelism with lions and other strong animals, supports this understanding. There is no evidence in the biblical context for the 'single-horned' myth; suggestions of such derive from translation tradition rather than native Israelite fauna or lexicography.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or רְאֵיםlemma רְאיֵם second vowel, corrected to רְאֵים; or רֵים; or רֵם; from רָאַם; a wild bull (from its conspicuousness); unicorn.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ראם (r-ʾ-m) — to be high, to be exalted, to lift up

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7213 רָאַם and she rose high
H7215 רָאמָה precious corals

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7214-02 רְאֵ֖ם reem HNcmsa of an unicorn lofty wild ox 3
H7214-03 רְאֵמִים֙ reemim HNcmpa wild oxen exalted wild oxen 2
H7214-05 רֵּ֣ים reym HNcmsa wild ox lofty wild ox 2
H7214-04 רֵמִ֣ים remim HNcmpa wild oxen wild aurochs 1
H7214-01 כִּ/רְאֵ֣ים kireeym HR/Ncmsa like-(that-of)-wild-ox wild ox 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7214-02 Numbers 23:22 רְאֵ֖ם reem HNcmsa of a wild ox lofty wild ox
H7214-02 Numbers 24:8 רְאֵ֖ם reem HNcmsa of an unicorn lofty wild ox
H7214-02 Deuteronomy 33:17 רְאֵם֙ reem HNcmsa of wild-ox lofty wild ox
H7214-03 Isaiah 34:7 רְאֵמִים֙ reemim HNcmpa wild oxen exalted wild oxen
H7214-04 Psalms 22:22 רֵמִ֣ים remim HNcmpa wild oxen wild aurochs
H7214-03 Psalms 29:6 רְאֵמִֽים reemim HNcmpa wild oxen exalted wild oxen
H7214-01 Psalms 92:11 כִּ/רְאֵ֣ים kireeym HR/Ncmsa like-(that-of)-wild-ox wild ox
H7214-05 Job 39:9 רֵּ֣ים reym HNcmsa wild ox lofty wild ox
H7214-05 Job 39:10 רֵ֭ים reym HNcmsa wild-ox lofty wild ox
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