Word Study for H6151 (עֲרַב) | Strong's Concordance

ʻărab /ar-ab'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to עָרַב

Meaningto commingle

KJV usagemingle (self), mix.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻărab — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word ʻărab, represented by H6151, means to commingle; mingle (self), mix. Though it appears only 4 times across 2 unique verses, it plays a crucial role in a significant biblical prophecy. The term is used exclusively to describe the mixing of inherently incompatible materials, symbolizing a flawed and unstable union.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The entire usage of H6151 is found in the book of Daniel, within the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. It describes the feet and toes of the great image, which were a composite of iron and clay. Daniel states that because the iron was mixed with clay, the kingdom would be divided Daniel 2:41. The prophecy elaborates that these components "shall mingle themselves with the seed of men," but this union will fail, "even as iron is not mixed with clay" Daniel 2:43. This highlights a forced but ultimately unsuccessful integration.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller picture of this prophetic vision:

H1693 dᵉbaq (to stick to; cleave): This word is used in direct contrast to H6151. The prophecy states that while they will mingle, they will not cleave one to another, emphasizing the mixture's lack of true cohesion Daniel 2:43.
H6386 pᵉlag (to split; divided): This is the direct result of the action described by H6151. The kingdom represented by the iron and clay will be divided precisely because of this unstable mixture Daniel 2:41.
H2370 chăzâʼ (to gaze upon; behold, see): This verb sets the stage for the prophecy. Daniel uses it to describe the vision itself, as in "thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay" Daniel 2:41, establishing the visual basis for the interpretation.

Theological Significance

The prophetic weight of H6151 is centered on the theme of flawed unions.

Symbol of Instability: The mixing of iron and clay serves as a powerful symbol for a kingdom or alliance that contains elements of strength (iron) and weakness (clay) but cannot form a stable entity.
Failed Integration: The word is used to show a superficial mingling that lacks genuine bonding. The attempt to "mingle themselves with the seed of men" is prophesied to fail because the constituent parts cannot truly cleave to one another Daniel 2:43.
Cause of Division: The act of mixing is presented as the direct cause of the kingdom's fragmentation. The mixture does not create a stronger hybrid but instead guarantees that the kingdom shall be divided Daniel 2:41.

Summary

In summary, H6151 is a specific and potent term used exclusively in Daniel's prophecy to define an unnatural and doomed alliance. While limited in its use, its meaning is profound, illustrating that some mixtures only create weakness and division. Its relationship with words for cleaving and dividing paints a clear picture of a political or social union destined to crumble from within.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

מְעָרַב
מִתְעָרְבִין
מִתְעָרַב

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

2 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.