אֲרָב (a.rav)
a.rav
Arab
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Arab refers to a specific city located in the hill country of Judah, situated near Hebron. The Hebrew word itself carries the meaning of an ambush or a hidden place, which likely describes the town’s strategic position within the rugged terrain. This etymology suggests that the location was known for its natural defensibility or perhaps its use as a concealed resting spot.
In Scripture, this city appears only once, listed among the fortified towns assigned to the tribe of Judah in Joshua 15:52. Its single occurrence serves as a geographical marker within the detailed land distribution records, anchoring the narrative in the physical reality of the promised land. The name itself provides a vivid glimpse into the landscape’s character, where geography and language intersected to define local identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word Arab appears in the Bible as a proper noun, naming a specific fortified town in the hill country of Judah near Hebron. While the Hebrew root suggests an ambush or hidden place, reflecting its strategic position in rugged terrain, the text uses it simply as a geographical marker in Joshua 15:52. This single mention anchors the land distribution records in physical reality, showing how God’s promises were tied to actual places and people.
For your faith, this reminds us that Scripture is not abstract but grounded in real history. God cared about the details of the land He gave His people, down to the names of small towns like Arab. This attention to detail shows His sovereignty over every corner of creation and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. It invites us to trust that He guides our lives with the same precision, even when we cannot see the full picture.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Arab1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲרַ֥ב1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 15:52
Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
This verse lists Arab among Judah's fortified towns, serving as a concrete geographical marker in the land allocation record.