Yahweh Rohi

(Pronounced ro he)

Exploring Names of God

There are various names of God, which are symbolic of the various qualities attributed to His ultimate source of power and to His character. We are going to explore the meaning of Jehovah/Yahweh Raah/Rohi, what it means and how we can apply it to our lives.

We find God as Yahweh Raah/Rohi in Psalm 23. The word raah is derived from the word ro eh meaning “shepherd” in Hebrew. Translated, it carries the idea of a shepherd’s tender and life-giving care for his flock. The condition of sheep is in direct correlation to the care of the shepherd. In Psalm 23, David said “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then he went on to give a very personalized account of Yahweh/Jehovah Rohi. When I think of Yahweh Rohi, I think of Him as my personal Shepherd. I personalize the name as belonging to me. He is my Shephard that leads me daily in the direction I should go.

As we learn about this name and many of His other names, think of them as YOURS not just other believers. Personalize them & the names will take on more meaning for you.

What Is The Meaning?

The primary meaning of ‘rohi’ is “to feed”. This word was first used in Genesis 37:2, when Joseph fed the flock with his brothers. Also in Genesis 47:3-4. Another meaning of rohi is the relationship between a prince or leader and his people. Find this in 2 Samuel 5:2. Joseph & King David were both great leaders of Israel who began as shepherds.

A Bond

This type of bond is an integral part of Yahweh & His people. Its importance lies in the mutual acceptance of obligations between both.

In this context, rohi can be interpreted as an expression of loyalty between both parties based on mutual trust, respect, loyalty, responsibility, and trust. This relationship is not only hierarchical in nature but also reciprocal in terms of responsibility and accountability.

The word rohi can also signify the relationship between a priest or prophet and his people. In Jeremiah 3:15 KJV Yahweh promised…

“…I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Pastors “feeding” us with the knowledge of the Word, means more than just theoretical or abstract concepts. Instead, this promise speaks directly to the practical realities of everyday life. As believers, we are called upon not only to understand God’s truth but also to put it into action in our daily interactions with others.

At its heart, then, this promise reminds us that being a Believer requires an ongoing commitment to learn and grow and to seek out and receive practical teachings that you can apply to your own life.

Guidance

Many people don’t realize that the word rohi can also be used in relation to folly and judgement.
Yahweh Rohi wants to lead his followers away from foolishness and towards wisdom. This means that when we seek guidance from God, we can trust that he will steer us in the right direction. When we make decisions without consulting him, we risk falling into folly and making poor choices.

In addition to providing guidance, Yahweh Rohi also serves as judge over our lives. He sees everything we do and knows our hearts intimately. As such, he holds us accountable for our actions and will ultimately judge us accordingly.

False Shepherds

Ezekiel 34:16 tells us that God will feed false shepherds with judgement. He is very upset with shepherds who care more for themselves than for the sheep. Through misuse and abuse, wolves in sheep’s clothing rip and tear the sheep. God and man deplore and reject such a ministry. When you see Yahweh as your shepherd, there is so much more to it than just a comforting image of being led and cared for. This figurative comparison is a powerful one that carries with it deep theological implications. It speaks to the loving relationship between God and his people, and how he provides everything they need to thrive.

At its core, the concept of God as a shepherd implies love – the kind of love that ensures his flock are well-fed and taken care of. Just as a good shepherd will lead their sheep to green pastures, Yahweh leads his children to places where they can flourish spiritually. Beyond simply providing sustenance, he also brings judgement when necessary – much like how a shepherd would keep watch for predators looking to harm their flock.

Another important aspect of seeing Yahweh as your shepherd is recognizing that he will keep you from folly. In the Bible, there are numerous stories of people who made foolish decisions and suffered the consequences. However, there are also stories where God intervened and prevented his people from making mistakes that would have led to disaster.

Understand

It is important to understand that God desires for us to live a life that is free from foolishness and mistakes. He has given us His Word as a guidebook. for life, and when we follow it, we can avoid many pitfalls along the way. Additionally, when we ask for His guidance and wisdom in prayer, He promises to give it freely.

While God will not shield us completely from every mistake or bad decision we could make in life, it is comforting to know He does promise to be with us through every trial and challenge we face. Yahweh Rohi reminds us that we can depend on God for everything we need because He knows what’s best for us. As we meditate on this name, it should inspire us to emulate the qualities of a good shepherd in our lives.

Scriptures to Meditate Upon

Psalm 23 :1-Yahweh Rohi, Our Shepherd

Psalm 80:1-The Shepherd of Israel

Ezekiel 34:11-the Lord will be like a Shepherd who seeks out His sheep.

John 10:11, 14, 16-Yeshua is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and knows and seeks His sheep.

Note:

Here are some alternate spellings…Roi, Raah

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