אָרַב (a.rav)
a.rav
to ambush
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 38 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb ’arab means to lie in wait or ambush, describing a deliberate act of concealment with hostile intent. It appears frequently in narrative passages where military strategy involves surprise attacks, such as the coordinated pincer movement against Ai in Joshua 8:4 and 19, where soldiers are hidden behind the city to strike when its gates open.
Its semantic range extends beyond physical combat into moral and social contexts. In Proverbs, it describes the deceptive tactics of dangerous people, such as adulterers who lurk by the roadside (Proverbs 7:12) or those who plot against the innocent (Proverbs 1:11). The word carries a strong connotation of stealth and treachery, contrasting with open and honest conduct.
Gesnius notes an interesting etymological link between ’arab and words meaning to weave or intertwine. This connection suggests that lying in wait is akin to crafting a snare or net, requiring cunning and intricate planning rather than brute force. The participle form often functions as a noun for "ambushers," highlighting the group dynamic of those who operate in secrecy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word אָרַב describes a deliberate act of concealment with hostile intent, often used in military narratives like the battle against Ai in Joshua 8. It highlights the danger of those who wait in secrecy to strike when you are vulnerable. This imagery reminds us that not all opposition is open; some threats come from hidden schemes designed to catch us off guard.
In Proverbs, this term shifts to describe moral dangers, such as adulterers lurking by the roadside or plotters against the innocent. These passages warn us that treachery often hides behind a facade of normalcy. The text contrasts this stealth with open and honest conduct, inviting us to value transparency in our relationships.
For your faith, this word underscores the importance of discernment. While we are called to love our neighbors, we must also recognize that some people may harbor hidden agendas. Trusting in God’s protection allows us to navigate these complexities with wisdom, knowing that He sees what is concealed and brings justice in His time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 38 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ ambusher3×
- and/ the/ ambusher3×
- an ambush3×
- ambushers3×
- to/ an ambusher2×
- they lie in wait2×
- she lies in wait2×
- he lies in wait2×
- and/ they lay in wait2×
- and/ he lay in wait2×
- you lie in wait1×
- they lay in wait1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אֹרֵ֖ב2×
- אֹרֵ֥ב2×
- תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב1×
- תֶּֽאֱרֹ֑ב1×
- תֶאֱרֹֽב\׃1×
- נֶאֶרְבָ֥ה1×
- מֵ/הָ֣/אוֹרֵ֔ב1×
- מְאָרְבִ֗ים1×
- מְ֠אָֽרְבִים1×
- יֶאֱרֹ֬ב1×
- יֶאֱרֹ֔בוּ1×
- יֶאֱרֹ֑בוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 8:4
He commanded them, saying, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Don’t go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
This verse establishes the tactical use of ambush in Israel’s conquest, showing how God directs strategic concealment to achieve victory.
-
Deuteronomy 19:11
But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities;
This legal text uses the term to define premeditated murder, distinguishing it from accidental killing by emphasizing the intent to lie in wait.
-
Judges 16:2
The Gazites were told, “Samson is here!” They surrounded him and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, “Wait until morning light; then we will kill him.”
The Gazites use an ambush to trap Samson, illustrating how enemies exploit vulnerability when a leader is unaware of the threat.