עָרַב (a.rav)
a.rav
to pledge
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 20 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arav carries the core meaning of becoming a surety or pledging security for another person. Its fundamental image is that of braiding or interweaving threads, which translates into the social act of binding one’s own fate to someone else’s. In practical terms, this meant standing as a guarantor for a debt or taking personal responsibility for another’s behavior.
While often associated with financial liability in wisdom literature, the word also appears in contexts of deep relational commitment. Genesis 43:9 records Judah offering himself as surety for Benjamin’s safe return, while Job 17:3 pleads with God to be his personal pledge. The term implies a mutual entanglement where the guarantor risks their own stability to support another.
Proverbs frequently warns against this practice, noting that putting up security for a stranger is dangerous (Proverbs 11:15; 20:16). This caution highlights the weight of the word: arav is not a casual promise but a serious, binding engagement that intertwines lives and resources.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arav paints a picture of life becoming deeply intertwined with another person’s fate. In ancient times, to pledge or stand as collateral meant risking your own security to support someone else. It was not a casual promise but a serious binding engagement that could cost you everything if the other party failed.
Scripture offers both warnings and examples of this deep commitment. Proverbs frequently cautions against becoming surety for strangers, highlighting the danger of such entanglements. Yet we also see Judah offering himself as collateral for Benjamin, showing a love that risks personal safety for family.
This word reminds us that our actions can bind us to others in profound ways. It invites reflection on how we stand with those around us and the weight of our commitments. May we approach such bonds with wisdom and care, knowing that true support often requires significant personal sacrifice.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 20 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- stand surety for/ me2×
- make a wager2×
- he stood surety for2×
- he stands surety for2×
- you will get involved1×
- you have stood surety1×
- you get involved1×
- stand surety for1×
- he shares1×
- has he pledged1×
- and/ they mixed themselves1×
- and/ they have mixed themselves1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עָ֣רַב3×
- הִתְעָ֣רֶב2×
- תִּתְעָרָֽב\׃1×
- תִתְעָרָֽב\׃1×
- עֹרֵ֥ב1×
- עֹרְבִ֑ים1×
- עָרַ֧ב1×
- עָרַ֣בְתָּ1×
- עָרַ֣ב1×
- עָרְבֵֽ/נִי\׃1×
- עָרְבֵ֣/נִי1×
- עֲרֹ֣ב1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 43:9
I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever;
Judah uses this term to offer himself as collateral for Benjamin, demonstrating a familial commitment that risks his own standing.
-
Proverbs 6:1
My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger,
The text warns against striking hands in pledge for a stranger, highlighting the vulnerability created by such agreements.
-
Job 17:3
“Now give a pledge. Be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?
Job pleads with God to be his collateral, using this legal concept to express his desperate need for divine vindication.
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Proverbs 20:16
Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
This verse illustrates the practical consequence of pledging security, showing how one’s garment could be seized as payment.