אֶ֫רֶב (e.rev)
e.rev
ambush
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun e.rev describes a place where one lies in wait to ambush an enemy. In the Old Testament, it refers specifically to a hidden spot or lair used for surprise attacks. The word captures the tension of concealed danger, where the hunter remains unseen until the moment of strike.
Its usage is rare, appearing only twice in Scripture, both within the book of Job. In Job 37:8, it describes animals hiding in their dens to escape harsh weather. Later, in Job 38:40, God asks Job if he knows when the lion lies in wait in its covert. These instances highlight the word’s association with predatory stealth and the hidden realities of the natural world.
Translators typically render e.rev as "ambush," "lair," or "den." This choice preserves the sense of a strategic hiding place rather than a permanent home. The term emphasizes the element of surprise inherent in such locations, reminding readers that danger often lurks in quiet, unseen corners.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word e.rev describes a hidden place where danger waits unseen. It captures the quiet tension of a predator lying in wait, or animals seeking shelter from a storm. In Job, this rare term reminds us that the natural world operates with a stealth and power far beyond human control.
When God asks Job if he knows when the lion lies in its ambush, He points to mysteries we cannot master. This word invites humility. It shows that some forces remain hidden until the right moment, reminding us that wisdom comes from trusting the One who orders these deep things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- lying-in-wait1×
- a lair1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָֽרֶב\׃1×
- אָ֑רֶב1×
Key Verses
-
Job 37:8
Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
This verse uses the word to describe animals taking cover, highlighting how even wild creatures seek hidden refuge during severe weather.
-
Job 38:40
when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket?
Here God questions Job about the lion's ambush, emphasizing that the timing and location of such predatory stealth are known only to the Creator.