עָרַךְ (a.rakh)
a.rakh
to arrange; to value
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 61 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb arakh primarily means to arrange or set things in order. In everyday life, this might describe laying out wood for an altar or organizing weapons for battle. The word carries a sense of deliberate preparation, ensuring that each element is placed correctly for its intended purpose.
A key distinction appears in its usage for legal and financial matters. In the Qal stem, it can mean to state a case clearly, as when a legal argument is laid out with precision. In the Hiphil stem, it shifts to valuation or taxation, referring to assigning a specific monetary worth to a person or item.
This dual nature reflects a broader biblical theme: order underlies both justice and worship. When judges present cases or priests prepare offerings, they use arakh to bring structure to chaos. The word reminds readers that clarity and fairness require careful arrangement of facts and values.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word arakh speaks to the quiet dignity of preparation. In Scripture, it describes priests laying wood on an altar or soldiers forming ranks for battle. These actions are not random; they reflect a deliberate ordering of life toward a specific purpose. When we face chaos, this verb reminds us that clarity comes from arranging our priorities with care and intention.
It also carries the weight of justice and value. In legal contexts, it means setting forth a case clearly, ensuring fairness. In financial matters, it involves assigning worth to people or property. This dual meaning shows that God cares about both the structure of our worship and the dignity of every individual. We are called to bring order to our hearts and treat others with the respect their inherent value demands.
Whether you are preparing for a difficult conversation or organizing your daily tasks, remember that order is not just practical—it is spiritual. By arranging our lives with intention, we create space for God’s peace to work. May you find strength in the simple act of setting things right, trusting that He guides your steps.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 61 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they deployed10×
- he will arrange3×
- arranged3×
- and/ he deployed3×
- and/ he arranged3×
- to/ deploy2×
- it will be comparable to/ it2×
- and/ they will arrange2×
- and/ he will evaluate2×
- and/ he deployed [them]2×
- I have arranged2×
- ¿/ will it set in order1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַֽ/יַּעֲרֹ֖ךְ5×
- וַ/יַּעַרְכ֥וּ3×
- עָר֗וּךְ2×
- לַ/עֲרֹ֣ךְ2×
- יַעֲרֹךְ֩2×
- וַ/יַּעַרְכ֨וּ2×
- תַּעֲרֹ֬ךְ1×
- תַּ֥עַרְכוּ1×
- עָרֹ֧ךְ1×
- עָרַ֥כְתִּי1×
- עָרַ֤ךְ1×
- עָרַ֣כְתִּי1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:9
They came to the place which God had told him of. Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, on the wood.
Abraham lays the wood in order for the sacrifice, showing how deliberate preparation accompanies faith.
-
Leviticus 1:8
and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar;
The priests lay the pieces of the offering in order on the altar, highlighting the precision required in worship.
-
Leviticus 27:12
and the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall be.
The priest evaluates whether an animal is good or bad, demonstrating the word's use in assigning value and judgment.
-
I Samuel 17:21
Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
Israel and the Philistines set their battle in array, illustrating the term's application to organized military formation.