אָרַךְ (a.rakh)
a.rakh
to prolong
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 32 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arakh primarily means to be long or to make something long, though its usage in Scripture is heavily weighted toward time rather than physical distance. In the Qal stem, it describes a state of being prolonged, such as when days continue for an extended period. The Hiphil stem carries the active sense of prolonging, whether referring to extending one’s life or lengthening objects like tent cords.
A significant nuance appears in its application to divine and human patience. Translators often render phrases like "prolong anger" as deferring wrath, capturing a sense of restraint. This usage connects the word to the concept of being slow to anger, where delaying a response is an act of self-control rather than mere delay. For instance, Proverbs 19:11 describes a person who overlooks an offense by choosing not to hasten their anger.
The word frequently appears in covenantal blessings and warnings, particularly in Deuteronomy, where obedience is linked to the prolonging of days in the land. This theological weight transforms a simple measurement of time into a statement of divine favor. The sources highlight that this extension of life is not automatic but is tied to faithful adherence to God’s commands, making arakh a key term for understanding the relationship between conduct and longevity in biblical wisdom literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word arakh speaks of lengthening or prolonging, often applied to the span of one’s life. In the ancient world, a long life was not merely a biological fact but a sign of God’s favor and covenant faithfulness. When Scripture links obedience to prolonged days, it highlights a profound truth: living in alignment with God’s ways brings stability and peace that outlasts fleeting circumstances.
This concept extends beyond physical longevity. It also describes the patience of God, who chooses to withhold judgment, giving people time to repent. For your daily life, this word invites you to value consistency over speed. Choosing integrity, honoring family, and trusting in God’s timing may not always yield immediate results, but they build a foundation for a life that endures.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 32 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he will prolong3×
- you will prolong/ !2×
- you may prolong2×
- they may be long/ !2×
- they made long2×
- and/ you will prolong2×
- and/ they were long2×
- you will prolong1×
- when/ made long1×
- they may grow long/ !1×
- they may be long1×
- they have made long1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תַּאֲרִ֤יכוּ2×
- תַאֲרִיכֻ֤/ן2×
- יַאֲרִ֥יךְ2×
- הֶאֱרִ֤יכוּ2×
- תַּאֲרִ֤יךְ1×
- תַּאֲרִ֣יכוּ1×
- מַאֲרִ֖יךְ1×
- יַאֲרִכֻ֥/ן1×
- יַאֲרִכ֣וּ/ן1×
- יַאֲרִיכֻ֣/ן1×
- יַאֲרִֽיךְ\׃1×
- יַאֲרִ֨יךְ1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
This verse establishes the foundational link between honoring parents and the blessing of prolonged days in the Promised Land.
-
Deuteronomy 4:40
You shall keep his statutes and his commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which Yahweh your God gives you for all time.
Here, keeping God’s statutes is directly tied to prolonging days for future generations, emphasizing intergenerational faithfulness.
-
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
The word describes the self-control of a wise person who delays anger, showing that emotional restraint is a form of spiritual lengthening.
-
I Kings 3:14
If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
God promises Solomon that walking in His ways will result in lengthened days, reinforcing the covenantal nature of this blessing.