or עֲרֻגָה; feminine passive participle of עָרַג; something piled up (as if (figuratively) raised by mental aspiration), i.e. a paterre; bed, furrow.
Transliteration:ʻărûwgâh
Pronunciation:ar-oo-gaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עֲרוּגָה (ʻărûwgâh, `{{H6170}}`) is derived from the passive participle of the verb עָרַג (ʻārag), which primarily signifies "to long for" or "to pant after." While the verbal root suggests an intense yearning, the noun `{{H6170}}` takes on a concrete meaning, referring to "something piled up," specifically a "paterre," "bed," or "furrow." This denotes a prepared, cultivated plot of ground, typically a raised garden bed or a row within a field, designed for planting and nurturing vegetation. Its semantic range thus encompasses areas of deliberate cultivation, implying order, fertility, and the potential for growth and produce.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6170}}` appears in several significant biblical passages, primarily describing cultivated ground:
* **[[Song of Solomon 5:13]] and [[Song of Solomon 6:2]]:** In these poetic verses, `{{H6170}}` is used in the phrase "beds of spices" (עֲרוּגֹות בֹּשֶׂם). Here, the imagery evokes a place of exquisite beauty, fragrance, and delight. It describes a carefully tended garden, rich with aromatic plants, serving as a metaphor for the beloved's desirable qualities and the intimate setting of love. The context emphasizes cultivation for aesthetic pleasure and sensual delight.
* **[[Ezekiel 17:7]] and [[Ezekiel 17:10]]:** In Ezekiel's riddle of the two eagles and the vine, `{{H6170}}` refers to the "beds" or "furrows" where a vine is planted. In [[Ezekiel 17:7]], it describes the "beds of its planting" where the vine was initially set. In [[Ezekiel 17:10]], it speaks of the vine withering "on the beds where it grew." This context highlights the critical role of the prepared ground for the vine's growth and flourishing. The imagery is part of a prophetic allegory concerning the kingdom of Judah, its planting by God, and its subsequent judgment due to unfaithfulness, leading to its withering despite being planted in fertile ground.
* **[[2 Kings 4:39]]:** While some translations render this as "field," certain lexicons and interpretations understand `{{H6170}}` here as a "garden bed" or "cultivated plot." In this narrative, one of Elisha's servants goes out to gather herbs and finds "wild gourds" in this area, which turn out to be poisonous. If interpreted as a cultivated bed, this usage presents a stark contrast to the fragrant beds of Song of Solomon, highlighting how even a seemingly cultivated area can yield dangerous fruit if not properly discerned or if wild elements are introduced. This instance underscores the need for careful identification and stewardship of what is cultivated.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of `{{H6170}}` is illuminated by its relationship to other terms for land and cultivation:
* **`{{H1598}}` (גַּן - gan):** "Garden." `{{H6170}}` often refers to a specific, prepared section *within* a broader garden, emphasizing the organized and cultivated aspect of a particular plot.
* **`{{H7704}}` (שָׂדֶה - sadeh):** "Field." While `{{H7704}}` can refer to cultivated land, it is a more general term. `{{H6170}}` specifies a more intensively prepared and managed portion of land, akin to a raised bed or furrow, rather than an open field.
* **`{{H3759}}` (כֶּרֶם - kerem):** "Vineyard." Similar to `{{H6170}}` in Ezekiel, a vineyard is a highly cultivated area dedicated to a specific crop, but `{{H6170}}` refers to the individual planting beds or rows within such a vineyard or garden.
* **Concepts:** The word `{{H6170}}` is intrinsically linked to concepts of agricultural cultivation, fertility, order, and the potential for fruitfulness. It also brings to mind the themes of stewardship, provision, and the consequences of neglect or divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6170}}` emerges from its consistent portrayal of prepared and cultivated ground, often with symbolic implications:
* **Divine Cultivation and Provision:** In the prophetic imagery of Ezekiel, the "beds" represent the carefully prepared ground where God plants His people (Israel/Judah). This underscores God's meticulous care and provision, establishing His people in a place designed for flourishing and fruitfulness. It speaks to the divine initiative in nurturing His covenant people.
* **Expectation of Fruitfulness:** The expectation is that what is planted in such well-prepared "beds" will yield good fruit. The withering of the vine in Ezekiel's prophecy, despite being planted in good beds, serves as a powerful metaphor for Judah's failure to bear righteous fruit, leading to divine judgment. This highlights the reciprocal responsibility of those who receive divine cultivation.
* **Beauty, Delight, and Intimacy:** The "beds of spices" in Song of Solomon symbolize a place of profound beauty, sensory delight, and intimate communion. Theologically, this can be interpreted as the beauty and joy found in the relationship between God and His people, or Christ and the Church, a relationship characterized by mutual delight and spiritual fragrance.
* **Discernment and Purity:** The potential usage in [[2 Kings 4:39]], where wild, poisonous gourds are gathered from a "bed," serves as a cautionary tale. It emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment to distinguish between what is life-giving and what is harmful, even within seemingly cultivated or familiar spiritual environments. It underscores the danger of allowing corrupting influences to infiltrate and spoil the intended fruitfulness.
### Summary
The Hebrew term עֲרוּגָה (ʻărûwgâh, `{{H6170}}`) fundamentally denotes a cultivated garden bed or furrow, a prepared plot of ground for planting. Its biblical occurrences paint a rich picture: from the delightful and fragrant "beds of spices" in Song of Solomon, symbolizing beauty and intimacy, to the vital "beds" for the vine in Ezekiel's prophecy, representing divine cultivation and the expectation of fruitfulness (or the consequences of its absence). The potential reference in [[2 Kings 4:39]] further adds a dimension of caution regarding what is gathered from such plots. Theologically, `{{H6170}}` speaks to God's careful provision and cultivation of His people, the inherent expectation of righteous fruit from those so blessed, and the profound beauty and intimacy found in the divine-human relationship. It also implicitly calls for discernment regarding the spiritual "fruit" produced in one's life.
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