אָרֹךְ (a.rokh)
a.rokh
long
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The adjective ’arokh means "long," primarily describing duration in time rather than physical distance. In the Hebrew Bible, it appears only three times, making its usage quite rare and specific. When applied to temporal contexts, it emphasizes the extended nature of an event or period.
Most notably, this word is used figuratively to describe the wisdom of God. In these instances, such as in Job 11:7 and Jeremiah 51:59, ’arokh conveys the idea that divine understanding is vast and beyond human measurement. This usage highlights a theological point about the limits of human knowledge compared to God’s infinite insight.
Translators typically render this term as "long" or "lengthy," depending on whether it modifies time or wisdom. The rarity of its occurrence means each instance carries significant weight, drawing attention to the profound nature of what is being described.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arokh points to something that endures over time, stretching beyond our immediate grasp. In II Samuel 3:1, it describes a long war, showing how conflict can wear on the human spirit across years of struggle. When we face seasons where relief seems distant, this term reminds us that duration is part of the human experience.
Yet its most striking use appears in Job 11:9, where God’s wisdom is described as longer than the earth. This shifts our focus from the length of our trials to the vastness of divine understanding. We may not see the full picture now, but we can trust that God’s perspective encompasses all time and space.
Similarly, Jeremiah 29:28 speaks of a long captivity, urging people to settle into a prolonged period of waiting. This does not mean giving up hope, but rather finding stability in the midst of uncertainty. It invites us to build lives of purpose even when the end is not yet in sight.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- long1×
- [will be] a long [time]1×
- [is] long1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲרֻכָּ֣ה2×
- אֲרֻכָּ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 3:1
Now there was long war between Saul’s house and David’s house. David grew stronger and stronger, but Saul’s house grew weaker and weaker.
This verse uses the word to describe the prolonged nature of political conflict, highlighting how long struggles test human endurance.
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Job 11:9
Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
Here the term elevates God’s wisdom beyond physical limits, emphasizing that divine understanding stretches far wider than human comprehension.
-
Jeremiah 29:28
because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long. Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit?”’”
The word underscores the extended duration of exile, encouraging believers to live faithfully during periods of uncertain waiting.