עַרְוָה (ar.vah)
ar.vah
dishonor
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun arvah denotes a state of shame or dishonor, often linked metaphorically to nakedness. In biblical usage, it describes the vulnerability and disgrace associated with being exposed without covering. The word carries a heavy emotional weight, pointing not just to physical exposure but to the social and spiritual humiliation that accompanies it.
This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Ezra 4:14. There, officials warn King Artaxerxes about the citizens of Jerusalem, stating that if the city is rebuilt, they will lose tribute and honor. The text uses arvah to describe the loss of dignity and status that would result from such a political shift. It serves as a stark reminder of how public shame could impact a community’s standing.
Understanding arvah helps clarify the stakes involved in biblical narratives where honor and shame are central themes. It reflects a cultural reality where one’s reputation was tied closely to their social position and visibility. The word underscores the deep human desire for respect and the fear of being stripped of it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word arvah points to a profound sense of shame or dishonor, often linked with the vulnerability of being exposed without covering. In the ancient world, reputation was everything; to lose face was to lose standing in the community. This single occurrence in Ezra reminds us that how we are seen by others matters deeply, but it also highlights the fragility of human honor.
For your faith life, this word invites a gentle reflection on where you place your security. When our dignity depends on public approval or political favor, it is as unstable as a city wall under threat. Yet, the biblical narrative consistently points toward a hope that does not rely on human status. God’s view of you is not defined by the shifting opinions of kings or the fear of losing tribute.
Instead, we find our true standing in the grace that covers our vulnerabilities. While we naturally desire respect and fear disgrace, we can rest in the knowledge that our identity is secure in Christ. This peace allows us to face life’s uncertainties with a quiet confidence, knowing that our worth is established by love, not by the applause of the crowd.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] dishonor of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/עַרְוַ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:14
Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not appropriate for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king,
This verse uniquely uses arvah to describe the political and social disgrace that officials feared would follow if Jerusalem were rebuilt, linking national honor directly to royal authority.