עָרָה

ʻârâh /aw-raw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish
KJV usageleave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻârâh, represented by H6168, is a primitive root that signifies the act of making something bare. Appearing 16 times in 14 verses, its meaning extends to concepts like emptying, pouring out, demolishing, or leaving something destitute and uncovered.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H6168 describes a range of actions from the mundane to the profound. It is used for the simple act of emptying a pitcher of water Genesis 24:20 or a chest of money 2 Chronicles 24:11. The term also carries a sense of violent demolition, as when the children of Edom cried to "rase" Jerusalem to its very foundation Psalms 137:7. Prophetically, it depicts the servant who has "poured out" his soul unto death Isaiah 53:12, and in a promise of restoration, the spirit will be "poured" upon the people from on high Isaiah 32:15.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the scope of H6168:

  • H6172 ʻervâh (nakedness): This noun is derived from H6168 and signifies nudity or disgrace. The act of uncovering nakedness is a common theme of shame and judgment Lamentations 4:21.
  • H1540 gâlâh (uncover, reveal): This word often appears in parallel with H6168, especially in contexts of exposing nakedness or shame Leviticus 20:18. It also carries the positive sense of God revealing his secrets or glory (Amos 3:7, Isaiah 40:5).
  • H3247 yᵉçôwd (foundation): This word is the object of destruction when H6168 is used to mean "rase" or "discover," highlighting the totality of the demolition (Psalms 137:7, Habakkuk 3:13).
  • H5315 nephesh (soul): The concept of the soul is directly linked to H6168 in the act of sacrificial self-emptying, as in "poured out his soul" Isaiah 53:12, and in a plea for preservation, "leave not my soul destitute" Psalms 141:8.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6168 is demonstrated in several key areas:

  • Total Judgment: The word is used to describe divine judgment that results in complete desolation, such as uncovering a building's cedar work Zephaniah 2:14 or rasing a city down to its foundation Psalms 137:7.
  • Sacrificial Self-Giving: The most significant use is in Isaiah 53:12, where the suffering servant "poured out his soul unto death." This portrays a voluntary and complete offering of one's life for the sins H2399 of others.
  • Divine Outpouring: In contrast to judgment, H6168 is also used for the gracious act of God pouring out His spirit H7307 from on high H4791, which brings about renewal and life to a desolate land Isaiah 32:15.
  • Exposure and Shame: The act of being "made naked" or "uncovered" is a recurring metaphor for disgrace and the consequences of sin (Lamentations 4:21, Isaiah 3:17).

Summary

In summary, H6168 is a dynamic word that encompasses a spectrum of meanings related to being made bare. From the physical act of emptying a container to the spiritual realities of divine judgment, ultimate sacrifice, and restorative blessing, ʻârâh illustrates how a single root can convey profound theological truths about destruction, redemption, and renewal.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb and a noun across 16 occurrences, inflected in 12 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Piel Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Piel Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hithpael Conjunction+Imperfect 2nd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Hithpael Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 1×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Conjunction+Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Piel Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Piel Infinitive Construct 1×
  • Singular Feminine Absolute 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Piel
The intensive stem — strengthened or emphatic action.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Hithpael
Reflexive-intensive — the subject acts upon itself.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Conjunction+Imperfect
Imperfect joined by a simple "and".
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 8 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (4 verses).

1
Genesis
2
Leviticus
1
2 Chronicles
3
Psalms
4
Isaiah
1
Lamentations
1
Habakkuk
1
Zephaniah

Verse Explorer

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