עָרַק (a.raq)
a.raq
to gnaw
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb araqa means to gnaw or chew, appearing only twice in the Old Testament. In Job 30:3, it describes the desperate hunger that drives men to "gnaw" dry thorn bushes for sustenance. This usage paints a vivid picture of extreme deprivation, where food is scarce and survival depends on consuming inedible vegetation.
Its limited occurrence highlights the intensity of the image rather than providing a broad range of meanings. The word focuses on the physical act of chewing something tough or dry, emphasizing the harshness of the condition described in Job’s lament. Translators typically render it as "gnaw" to capture this specific, gritty action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word araqa paints a stark picture of extreme distress, describing the act of gnawing on tough, inedible things like dry thorns or the ground itself. In Job’s lament, this verb captures a state of utter desperation where survival instincts override normal dignity. It reminds us that deep suffering can strip away our composure, leaving us raw and exposed to pain that feels as relentless as something constantly chewing at our very bones.
When you face seasons of intense hardship, it is okay to acknowledge the gnawing nature of your pain. This word validates the physical and emotional toll that prolonged struggle takes on a person. You do not need to hide the depth of your affliction from God or from those who care for you; even the most faithful figures in Scripture expressed their agony in visceral terms.
Ultimately, this imagery points to a God who sees the full weight of your burden. He is present in the desolation, not as a distant observer, but as one who understands the depth of human frailty. Your pain does not go unnoticed, and there is hope that sustains you even when circumstances feel as barren as dry ground.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ [ones who] gnaw1×
- and/ gnawing [pains]/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ֝/עֹרְקַ֗/י1×
- הַֽ/עֹרְקִ֥ים1×
Key Verses
-
Job 30:3
They are gaunt from lack and famine. They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.
This verse uses the word to describe physical starvation so severe that people resort to gnawing on dry, inedible vegetation for survival.
-
Job 30:17
In the night season my bones are pierced in me, and the pains that gnaw me take no rest.
Here the term shifts to describe internal suffering, where pains feel like they are actively gnawing at Job’s bones throughout the night.