עֲרַב (a.rav)
a.rav
to mix
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arav means to mix or join things together. It appears only twice in the Bible, both times in the book of Daniel. In these instances, it describes materials that are blended into a single substance rather than remaining separate.
Its usage highlights physical combination. For example, Daniel 5:7 mentions silver and gold mixed with other metals to create something less valuable. The word emphasizes the act of merging distinct elements into one unified whole.
This term shares a root with arubah, meaning a mixture or alloy. It does not carry the spiritual connotations found in some other Hebrew words for unity. Instead, it focuses on the tangible result of combining different components.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arav describes a physical blending of distinct materials, such as iron and clay. In Daniel’s vision, this mixture creates a structure that appears unified but lacks true cohesion. The elements touch, yet they do not bond. This imagery reminds us that outward appearance can sometimes mask inner division.
When we face relationships or situations that feel unstable, this word offers a clear perspective. It helps us recognize when connections are forced rather than genuine. Understanding the limits of such mixtures allows us to seek peace that comes from alignment with God’s design, rather than striving for harmony where it cannot naturally exist.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- mixed2×
- mixing1×
- [is] mixing1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִתְעָרַ֖ב1×
- מִתְעָרְבִ֤ין1×
- מְעָרַב֙1×
- מְעָרַ֖ב1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:41
Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but there will be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.
This verse uses the word to describe iron mixed with miry clay, illustrating a kingdom that has some strength but lacks unity.
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Daniel 2:43
Whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they will mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they won’t cling to one another, even as iron does not mix with clay.
Here the term explains why different groups cannot cling together, using the physical impossibility of iron and clay mixing as a metaphor for social division.