feminine from עָרָה; a naked (i.e. level) plot; paper reed.
Transliteration:ʻârâh
Pronunciation:aw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun `{{H6169}}` (ʻârâh) is a feminine form derived from the verb `{{H6168}}` (ʻârâh), which signifies "to be naked, exposed, emptied, or laid bare." Consequently, `{{H6169}}` inherently carries a semantic range centered on concepts of bareness, emptiness, and exposure. Its specific applications in the biblical text manifest in two primary senses:
1. **A "Naked" or "Level Plot":** This meaning refers to land or a surface that is bare, exposed, or leveled, often implying a state of desolation, vulnerability, or lack of covering. It suggests an absence of vegetation or structures, leaving the area exposed.
2. **"Paper Reed" or "Reeds":** This refers to a specific type of plant, likely the papyrus reed, which grows in marshy areas. The connection to the root `{{H6168}}` may stem from the reed's bare, smooth stalk, or its growth in exposed, often watery, environments. Alternatively, it could refer to the stripped or "emptied" stalk used for various purposes.
The unifying concept across these seemingly disparate meanings is the idea of something being made bare, exposed, or emptied, whether it be land, a plant, or a surface.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun `{{H6169}}` is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two distinct contexts, each illustrating one of its primary semantic applications:
* **[[Isaiah 19:7]]**: "The reeds by the Nile, by the mouth of the Nile, and everything sown by the Nile, will dry up, be driven away, and be no more."
* Here, `{{H6169}}` is translated as "reeds" or "paper reeds." In this prophetic oracle concerning Egypt, the drying up of the Nile and its associated flora (the reeds) symbolizes the impending desolation and ruin of Egypt. The reeds, typically indicative of life and prosperity along the fertile Nile, become a sign of judgment when they wither. This usage aligns with the "paper reed" meaning, emphasizing the vulnerability of even robust natural elements to divine decree.
* **[[Isaiah 3:24]]**: "Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a dressing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty."
* In this passage, `{{H6169}}` is rendered as "branding" (KJV: "burning," "scab"). This context describes the judgment upon the proud daughters of Zion, where their luxurious adornments are replaced by symbols of degradation and shame. The "branding" or "scab" signifies a mark of disfigurement, a visible sign of humiliation. This meaning connects to the root `{{H6168}}` in that a brand or scab makes the skin "bare" or "exposed" in a damaged, unsightly way, a "naked plot" of skin. It represents a stripping away of beauty and a visible manifestation of divine displeasure.
These two occurrences, while distinct in their referents, are united by the underlying concept of exposure, whether it be the exposure of a landscape to desolation or the exposure of a body to shame and disfigurement.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H6169}}` is its root verb and other derivatives:
* **`{{H6168}}` (ʻârâh)**: The foundational verb meaning "to make naked, lay bare, empty out, pour out." This verb captures the core action of denuding or exposing, from which the noun `{{H6169}}` derives its meaning.
* **`{{H6172}}` (ʻervâh)**: A common noun meaning "nakedness, shame, indecency." This derivative often carries strong moral and social connotations of disgrace and exposure, particularly in contexts of sexual impropriety or national humiliation. While `{{H6169}}` does not directly denote moral shame, its usage in [[Isaiah 3:24]] aligns with the broader theme of humiliation often associated with `{{H6172}}`.
* **`{{H6174}}` (ʻarôm)**: An adjective meaning "naked, unclothed." This word describes the state of being bare.
The semantic field of `{{H6169}}` thus overlaps with concepts of:
* **Desolation and Barrenness:** Particularly in relation to land or vegetation.
* **Vulnerability and Exposure:** The state of being laid bare, whether physically or metaphorically.
* **Humiliation and Disfigurement:** As seen in the context of divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
Given its limited occurrences, the theological significance of `{{H6169}}` is primarily understood through its connection to its root verb and the broader prophetic themes it illuminates:
* **Divine Judgment and Desolation:** In [[Isaiah 19:7]], the drying up of the "reeds" symbolizes the desolation brought upon Egypt as a consequence of divine judgment. This illustrates God's sovereignty over nature and nations, demonstrating His power to bring about barrenness and ruin as a means of discipline or punishment. The vulnerability of even seemingly robust elements of creation underscores the absolute power of the Creator.
* **Humiliation and Reversal of Pride:** In [[Isaiah 3:24]], the "branding" or "scab" inflicted upon the daughters of Zion is a stark reversal of their previous beauty and pride. This serves as a powerful theological statement about the consequences of human arrogance and disobedience. God, in His justice, can strip away outward glory and replace it with marks of shame and degradation, exposing the inner corruption that led to their downfall. This speaks to the biblical principle that "pride goes before destruction" [[Proverbs 16:18]].
* **The Exposing Nature of God's Word and Judgment:** The underlying sense of "making bare" or "exposing" inherent in `{{H6169}}` resonates with the broader biblical truth that God's judgment often involves revealing what is hidden, stripping away pretenses, and exposing the true state of hearts or nations.
### Summary
`{{H6169}}` (ʻârâh) is a rare Hebrew noun derived from the verb `{{H6168}}` ("to make naked, lay bare"). Its core meaning revolves around the concept of bareness or exposure. It appears in two distinct contexts in Isaiah: as "paper reed" in [[Isaiah 19:7]], symbolizing the desolation of Egypt, and as "branding" or "scab" in [[Isaiah 3:24]], signifying the humiliation and disfigurement of the proud daughters of Zion. Across both usages, the unifying theme is that of being made bare or exposed, whether physically (a bare stalk, a marked skin) or metaphorically (a land laid waste, a person stripped of dignity). Theologically, `{{H6169}}` contributes to the biblical understanding of divine judgment, the desolation that follows rebellion, and the humbling of human pride, all testifying to God's sovereign power to expose and transform.
TRV