אֹ֫רֶךְ (o.rekh)
o.rekh
length
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 50 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun o.rekh primarily denotes physical length, serving as the standard term for measuring dimensions in biblical architecture and objects. It appears frequently in Exodus to specify the size of the Tabernacle’s curtains, planks, and altar, ensuring precise construction details. This concrete usage extends to geographical measurements, such as the span of Solomon’s temple or the boundaries of land allocations in Ezekiel.
Beyond spatial measurement, o.rekh shifts to describe duration, most notably in the phrase "length of days" found in Psalms 21:5 and 91:16. Here it signifies longevity or a life lived out fully. The word also carries an abstract sense of forbearance, appearing in Proverbs 25:15 where it describes patience as a quality that can soften even a ruler’s anger.
Its root verb means to be long or prolonged, linking the physical and temporal senses through the idea of extension. Translators typically render it as "length" when referring to space and "long" or "forever" when indicating time, reflecting its versatility in describing both tangible structures and the span of existence.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In the biblical text, this word often appears in precise measurements for sacred spaces like the Tabernacle or Solomon’s Temple. These details remind us that God cares about order and intentionality in how we approach Him. The physical dimensions were not arbitrary; they reflected a holy design where every part had its proper place.
Beyond architecture, this term describes the 'length of days' in Psalms, pointing to a life lived fully under God’s care. It also appears in Proverbs as patience, showing that endurance is a form of spiritual strength. We can trust that God measures out our lives with purpose, whether He grants us many years or calls us to wait with quiet perseverance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 50 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- length/ its21×
- [the] length of9×
- length4×
- length of3×
- for/ length of3×
- the/ length2×
- [the] length2×
- to/ length/ its1×
- length/ their1×
- in/ [the] length of1×
- in the/ length1×
- by/ length of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹ֣רֶךְ6×
- אֹ֜רֶךְ4×
- אָרְכּ֗/וֹ3×
- אָרְכּ֔/וֹ3×
- אָרְכּ/וֹ֙3×
- לְ/אֹ֣רֶךְ2×
- אֹ֣רֶךְ\׀2×
- אֹ֚רֶךְ2×
- אֹ֔רֶךְ2×
- אֹ֑רֶךְ2×
- אָרְכָּ֔/הּ2×
- אָרְכּ֜/וֹ2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 6:15
This is how you shall make it. The length of the ship shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits.
This verse establishes the word's use in precise divine instructions for building the Ark, showing God's attention to detail in salvation history.
-
Exodus 25:10
“They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Its length shall be two and a half cubits, its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height.
The specific length of the Ark highlights how sacred objects were crafted with exact standards to honor God's presence.
-
Genesis 13:17
Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”
Here the word expands from physical structure to encompass the entire land, indicating the full scope of God's promise to Abraham.
-
Exodus 26:2
The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits: all the curtains shall have one measure.
The uniform length of the Tabernacle curtains demonstrates consistency and unity in the worship space God commanded.