Original Word: רְעַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: r`a`
Pronunciation: reh-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (reh-ah')
NASB: break in pieces, breaks in pieces
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) corresponding to H7489 (רָעַע - To be evil)]

1. break, bruise

break, bruise

(Aramaic) corresponding to ra'a' -- break, bruise.

see HEBREW ra'a'

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to raa
Definition
to crush, shatter
NASB Translation
break in pieces (1), breaks in pieces (1).

[רְעַע] verb crush, shatter (ᵑ7 Syriac; see Biblical Hebrew רצץ); —

Pe`al Imperfect3feminine singular (וְ)תֵרֹעַ Daniel 2:40 (object omitted).

Pa`el Participle active מִרָעַע Daniel 2:40 (accusative of thing).

Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 7490, רְעַע, is an Aramaic verbal root meaning “to break in pieces, crush, weaken, or ruin.” It appears twice, both in Daniel 2:40, describing the destructive power of the fourth kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Scriptural Usage

Daniel 2:40: “Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron crushes and shatters everything—and like iron that smashes, it will crush and break all the others.”
• The doubled occurrence (the verb and an infinitive absolute of the same root) intensifies the action: the empire will “crush” and “break,” stressing irresistible force.
• The context presents a prophetic panorama: gold, silver, bronze, and finally iron. רְעַע marks the transition from merely ruling to violently pulverizing.
• The imagery foreshadows the rise of imperial powers culminating in Rome, whose military discipline and expansive conquests “crushed” adversaries, yet also anticipates every world system that exalts itself over God’s kingdom.

Historical Context

In Daniel’s sixth-century exile setting, iron weaponry signified unmatched strength. Babylon’s hearers knew iron implements broke bronze and stone, so the Spirit-inspired text uses רְעַע to cement the certainty of coming turmoil. The Persian and Greek periods witnessed considerable destruction, but the fullest historical correspondence is Rome, whose legions “broke” lands from Britannia to Judea. Rome’s demolition of Jerusalem in AD 70 embodies this crushing motif, demonstrating that worldly dominions, however formidable, remain under divine decree.

Theological Implications

1. Sovereignty of God: While empires wield crushing power, Daniel 2 climaxes with a stone “cut out without hands” (Daniel 2:34-35) that shatters the statue and grows into a mountain, representing the eternal kingdom of God. רְעַע therefore contrasts finite human might with the unbreakable reign of Messiah.
2. Judgment and Justice: The verb carries judicial overtones. Throughout Scripture God often “breaks” oppressive regimes (Psalm 2:9; Jeremiah 50:23). Daniel 2 assures believers that unrighteous powers, no matter how iron-like, will be shattered by divine justice.
3. Eschatological Hope: The crushing activity of the fourth kingdom precedes God’s final intervention. This sequence strengthens confidence in prophetic accuracy and in the consummation promised in Revelation 11:15: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”

Ministry Applications

• Preaching: רְעַע offers vivid language for sermons on Daniel 2, highlighting both the reality of oppressive systems and the certainty of their downfall under Christ’s dominion (Colossians 2:15).
• Discipleship: Believers facing persecution can take courage that worldly powers may “crush,” yet God uses even destructive forces to fulfill His redemptive plan (Romans 8:28).
• Apologetics: The precise fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy strengthens the reliability of Scripture, demonstrating predictive prophecy that aligns with historical empires.
• Pastoral Care: The root reminds sufferers that God understands the experience of being “broken” and promises ultimate restoration (Isaiah 61:1).

Related Words and Themes

• שָׁבַר (shabar, “to break”): Common Hebrew counterpart, used of God’s judgment (Jeremiah 23:29).
• דַּכָּא (dakka, “to crush, bruise”): Messianic prophecy of the Servant “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5), showing divine willingness to bear crushing judgment on behalf of sinners.
• Iron imagery: Symbol of strength (Deuteronomy 3:11) yet ultimately breakable by God (Jeremiah 15:12).

Summary

רְעַע encapsulates the shattering force of earthly dominion set against the enduring kingdom of God. Though men may “crush and break,” Scripture reveals that only Christ’s kingdom remains unbroken, inviting every believer to place unwavering trust in His sovereign rule.

וְתֵרֹֽעַ׃ ותרע׃ מְרָעַ֥ע מרעע mə·rā·‘a‘ mərā‘a‘ meraA veteRoa wə·ṯê·rō·a‘ wəṯêrōa‘Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts