from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻărâbâh**, represented by `{{H6160}}`, primarily denotes a **desert**, **plain**, or **wilderness**. It appears 61 times across 57 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root suggesting sterility, it describes arid and desolate regions, but most notably refers to the sterile valley of the Jordan River, also known as the Arabah.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical narratives, `{{H6160}}` is used in several significant contexts. Geographically, it frequently identifies specific locations, such as "the **plains** of Moab" [[Numbers 22:1]] and "the **plains** of Jericho" [[Jeremiah 39:5]]. These areas served as key settings for major events in Israel's history, including encampments before entering the promised land [[Joshua 5:10]] and the capture of King Zedekiah [[Jeremiah 52:8]]. Metaphorically, it represents desolation and judgment, described as a "land of **deserts** and of pits" [[Jeremiah 2:6]]. However, it is also portrayed as a place of divine transformation, with prophecies foretelling that the **desert** will "blossom as the rose" [[Isaiah 35:1]]. The term can also be translated as "**evenings**" [[Jeremiah 5:6]] or "**heavens**" [[Psalms 68:4]], showcasing its broad application.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help to define the characteristics of the landscapes described by `{{H6160}}`:
* `{{H4057}}` **midbâr** (wilderness): Often used in parallel with ʻărâbâh, this word describes a desert or pasture where cattle are driven, highlighting its function as an open, uncultivated space [[Isaiah 40:3]].
* `{{H6723}}` **tsîyâh** (drought, dry land): This term emphasizes the aridity and lack of water in such regions. It is used alongside ʻărâbâh to depict a place of barrenness and solitude [[Isaiah 35:1]].
* `{{H2723}}` **chorbâh** (waste place): This word points to the desolation and ruin of a location, often used to describe the state of a wilderness that the LORD promises to restore [[Isaiah 51:3]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6160}}` is significant, symbolizing both divine judgment and redemptive promise.
* **A Place of Preparation:** The desert is depicted as a place where a path for God is made clear. The call to "make straight in the **desert** a highway for our God" establishes it as a setting for divine revelation and preparation [[Isaiah 40:3]].
* **Symbol of Curse and Judgment:** A person who turns from God is described as being "like the heath in the **desert**" [[Jeremiah 17:6]], inhabiting a barren and forsaken land. The wilderness often represents a land under a curse, a place of "drought, and of the shadow of death" [[Jeremiah 2:6]].
* **Promise of Restoration:** The prophets use the transformation of the **desert** as a powerful image of God's redemptive power. He promises to make the **desert** "like the garden of the LORD" [[Isaiah 51:3]], planting trees and causing streams to flow, signifying a complete reversal of desolation into life and abundance ([[Isaiah 41:19]], [[Isaiah 35:6]]).
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6160}}` is a multifaceted term that moves beyond a simple geographical label. It defines literal sterile valleys and plains, such as the Jordan valley, while also serving as a potent symbol in Scripture. It represents the harshness of judgment and the emptiness of a life apart from God, yet it is also the canvas upon which God demonstrates His ultimate power to bring forth life, joy, and restoration from utter desolation.
TRV