רַעֲנַן
𐤓𐤏𐤍𐤍
raʻănan
H7487 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Fresh and luxuriant, especially of vegetation; by extension, flourishing or thriving, typically in reference to plants or trees. In figurative usage, applies to the state of prosperity, vibrancy, or vigorous growth. The core sense is of being full of healthy, verdant life, and by metaphor, applied to individuals or entities experiencing abundance or well-being.
Semantic Range
fresh (of plants), luxuriant, verdant, green and healthy, thriving, flourishing (literally or figuratively), prosperous
Root / Etymology
Formed from the root רענן (ra‘anán), denoting 'to be green, luxuriant, fresh.' The Aramaic form רַעֲנַן corresponds closely in meaning to the Hebrew רַעֲנָן. The root involves the qualities of lushness and freshness commonly associated with healthy vegetation, though extending metaphorically.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably in Daniel), רַעֲנַן carries the imagery of fresh, verdant growth—typically describing trees or plants that are healthy and flourishing. This term is frequently encountered in idiomatic parallels to the Hebrew רַעֲנָן, conveying more than just 'green,' but suggesting enduring vitality and prosperity. In Daniel 4, trees described as רַעֲנַן become metaphors for kings or kingdoms at the height of their prosperity. While some English translations use 'green' or 'flourishing,' the term encompasses the broader and deeper sense of ongoing, lush vitality, both literal and figurative. Related terms such as יָרַק (green, herbage) focus on color, while רַעֲנַן emphasizes vitality and thriving condition. The semantic emphasis is not merely visual but evocative of sustained health and prosperity, whether for plant life or, by extension, human flourishing. There is no shift in meaning across periods, as its use is confined to a specific Aramaic context in the Hebrew Bible.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to רַעֲנָן; green, i.e. (figuratively) prosperous; flourishing.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רענן (r-ʿ-n-n) — freshness, luxuriance, flourishing vitality
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7488 | רַעֲנָן | lush and flourishing |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7487-01 |
וְ/רַעְנַ֖ן | veraenan | AC/Aamsa |
and flourishing | and verdant | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7487-01 |
Daniel 4:1 | וְ/רַעְנַ֖ן | veraenan | AC/Aamsa |
and flourishing | and verdant |