עֲרֻבָּה (a.rub.bah)
a.rub.bah
pledge
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun aṛubbâ refers to something given as security, such as a pledge, token, or surety. In ancient legal and commercial contexts, it was an item exchanged to guarantee the fulfillment of an obligation. The word appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting its specific role in establishing trust between parties.
In 1 Samuel 14:27, Jonathan’s hand is dipped into a honeycomb, breaking his fast. Here, the text uses a form related to this root to describe the act of tasting or touching, though the primary lexical sense remains that of a token or sign. In Proverbs 6:1 and 17:18, the word clearly denotes a pledge taken as collateral for a debt. It serves as tangible proof that a promise will be kept, grounding abstract commitments in physical reality.
This term underscores the biblical emphasis on concrete accountability. Unlike modern contracts which rely on digital records or signatures, ancient agreements often involved handing over an object—a garment, a tool, or even a personal item—as a visible sign of good faith. The presence of this word in wisdom literature reminds readers that trustworthiness is demonstrated through tangible actions and secured commitments.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The concept of a pledge reminds us that trust is not merely a feeling but an action. In ancient times, handing over an item as security was a serious step, showing you were willing to risk something valuable to prove your word. This tangible act grounded relationships in reality, ensuring that promises were kept even when no one was watching.
Proverbs 17:18 warns against becoming collateral for another’s debt without understanding the consequences. It invites us to consider the weight of our commitments. Are we quick to promise or guarantee things we cannot sustain? True faithfulness involves careful thought and a willingness to stand by our word, even when it costs us.
God values integrity that is visible in our lives. By keeping our promises and honoring our obligations, we reflect a character that others can rely on. This quiet consistency builds trust and honors the God who keeps every promise He makes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pledge/ their1×
- a pledge1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲרֻבָּתָ֖/ם1×
- עֲ֝רֻבָּ֗ה1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 17:18
A man void of understanding strikes hands, and becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
This verse uses the word to warn against blindly guaranteeing another person's debt, highlighting the risk of becoming liable for someone else's failure.