English · KJV
H6161

עֲרֻבָּה

ʻărubbâh /ar-oob-baw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine passive participle of עֲנַמֶּלֶךְ in the sense of a bargain or exchange
Meaningsomething given as security, i.e. (literally) a token (of safety) or (metaphorically) a bondsman
KJV usagepledge, surety.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻărubbâh — 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 Hebrew word ʻărubbâh, represented by H6161, signifies something given as security. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from a root meaning a bargain or exchange, its definition encompasses both a literal token of safety and a metaphorical role as a bondsman. It is used to convey the concepts of a pledge or surety.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical applications, H6161 appears in two distinct contexts. In 1 Samuel 17:18, it is used in a literal sense when Jesse instructs David to take H3947 a pledge H6161 from his brethren H251 as a token of their welfare H7965. Conversely, Proverbs 17:18 uses the term metaphorically to warn against foolishness, describing a man H120 void H2638 of understanding H3820 who becomes surety H6161 for his friend H7453, a financially binding act.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of security and exchange:

  • H6148 ʻârab: As the primitive root, it means to intermix or, technically, to give to be security. It describes the action of engaging oneself or giving a pledge.
  • H8628 tâqaʻ: This word means to slap the hands together and, by implication, to become bondsman by handclasping. It illustrates the physical act of agreement that accompanies becoming a surety Proverbs 17:18.
  • H3947 lâqach: A primitive root meaning to take or receive. It is used in 1 Samuel 17:18 to describe the act of receiving the pledge as proof of safety.

Theological Significance

The concept of H6161 carries important weight regarding personal responsibility and assurance.

  • Financial Prudence: Its use as surety in Proverbs serves as a strong caution. The act of becoming surety H6161 is a serious obligation, and entering into it without understanding H3820 is depicted as a significant error in judgment Proverbs 17:18.
  • Token of Assurance: The literal pledge H6161 in 1 Samuel acts as a tangible confirmation of safety. It is not a financial instrument but a personal token to confirm that one's brethren H251 are well, providing peace of mind 1 Samuel 17:18.
  • Binding Agreements: The context of becoming surety involves a formal action, striking hands H3709, which solidifies a promise. This underscores how a pledge or guarantee was a witnessed and binding commitment made in the presence H6440 of another.

Summary

In summary, ʻărubbâh H6161 is a focused term for a pledge or surety. Though rare, its uses are clear, illustrating both a metaphorical financial guarantee and a literal token of assurance. It highlights biblical principles of wisdom in agreements and the importance of tangible proof in providing security, whether for a debt or for a loved one's well-being.

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 noun across 5 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.

  • עֵרָבוֹן
  • עֲרֻבָּה
  • עֲרֻבָּתָ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3947 לָקַח a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, in H251 אָח a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance ( H7965 שָׁלוֹם or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosper H120 אָדָם from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, H2638 חָסֵר from חָסֵר; lacking; hence, without; destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want. H3820 לֵב a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; like

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

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in 1 Samuel and Proverbs (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
1 Samuel
1
Proverbs

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.