אָרָה (a.rah)
a.rah
to pluck
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arah means to pluck or gather, specifically referring to the act of picking fruit from a plant. In the entire Bible, it appears only once, found in Song of Solomon 1:12.
This single occurrence describes the bride speaking about her beloved while he is at his table. She uses the imagery of him plucking grapes, creating a vivid scene of intimacy and shared enjoyment. The word highlights a gentle, physical action that fits the romantic context of the poem.
Translators typically render this verb as "plucking" or "gathering," keeping the focus on the simple, tactile nature of the act. It does not carry heavy theological weight but serves to paint a clear picture of daily life and affection within the ancient setting.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arah appears only once in Scripture, nestled in the intimate dialogue of Song of Solomon. It describes the simple, tactile act of plucking fruit. This single image reminds us that God cares about the small, sensory details of our lives—the taste of honey, the scent of spices, and the shared joy of a meal.
In this verse, the bride invites her beloved to enjoy the fruits of their love. It is a picture of mutual delight and presence. We are invited to appreciate the goodness of creation not as abstract concepts, but as tangible gifts. These moments of connection reflect the care God takes in providing for our needs and desires.
When we slow down to notice these details, our faith becomes grounded in reality. The beauty of everyday life is not separate from spiritual truth; it is often where we encounter it most clearly. May you find peace in recognizing the sacredness of simple, shared moments.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I have gathered1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָרִ֤יתִי1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 5:1
I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Friends Eat, friends! Drink, yes, drink abundantly, beloved.
The verb describes the bride's invitation to share in the gathered fruits, emphasizing communal joy and intimacy.