passive participle of עָרַם; cunning (usually in a bad sense); crafty, prudent, subtil.
Transliteration:ʻârûwm
Pronunciation:aw-room'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6175 (ʻârûwm) is a passive participle derived from the root ʻâram (`{{H6191}}`), which primarily means "to be shrewd," "to be cunning," or "to be naked/bare." The passive participle ʻârûwm therefore describes one who possesses or has been endowed with a quality of shrewdness or cunning. Its semantic range is notably bifurcated, encompassing both negative and positive connotations. In its negative sense, it denotes craftiness, guile, subtlety, or manipulation, often implying deception or malicious intent. Conversely, in its positive application, ʻârûwm signifies prudence, discretion, foresight, and practical wisdom—an astute ability to discern and navigate life's complexities wisely. The specific nuance is heavily dependent on the context in which it appears.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The usage of H6175 (ʻârûwm) in the Hebrew Bible clearly illustrates its dual nature:
1. **Negative Connotation (Cunning, Crafty, Subtle):**
* The most prominent and foundational negative occurrence is in [[Genesis 3:1]], where the serpent is described as "more subtle (ʻârûwm) than any beast of the field." Here, ʻârûwm clearly carries the sense of deceptive cleverness, manipulative shrewdness, and guile, leading to the temptation and fall of humanity.
* In [[Job 5:13]], Eliphaz states, "He takes the wise in their own craftiness (ʻârûwm): and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong." This verse highlights a divine judgment upon human cunning that is used for self-serving or wicked purposes, showing that such craftiness is ultimately thwarted by God.
* While not explicitly negative, [[1 Samuel 23:22]] describes Saul's pursuit of David, with Saul's actions being "very subtly (ʻârûwm) dealt with" according to a report. This implies a secretive, perhaps deceptive, maneuvering to capture David.
2. **Positive Connotation (Prudent, Discreet, Wise):**
* The book of Proverbs frequently employs ʻârûwm in a positive light, associating it with wisdom, foresight, and righteous living.
* [[Proverbs 12:16]] states, "A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent (ʻârûwm) man conceals shame." Here, prudence is a virtue, demonstrating self-control and discretion.
* [[Proverbs 12:23]] similarly notes, "A prudent (ʻârûwm) man conceals knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness." Prudence involves knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.
* [[Proverbs 13:16]] affirms, "Every prudent (ʻârûwm) man deals with knowledge: but a fool lays open his folly." The prudent person acts with understanding and purpose.
* [[Proverbs 14:8]] contrasts the wisdom of the prudent with the folly of fools: "The wisdom of the prudent (ʻârûwm) is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit." Prudence involves self-awareness and careful planning.
* [[Proverbs 14:15]] warns, "The simple believes every word: but the prudent (ʻârûwm) man looks well to his going." Prudence involves critical discernment and caution.
* [[Proverbs 15:5]] observes, "A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent (ʻârûwm)." Openness to correction is a mark of prudence.
* [[Proverbs 22:3]] and [[Proverbs 27:12]] contain identical proverbs: "A prudent (ʻârûwm) man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." This highlights the foresight and protective nature of prudence.
The contextual analysis reveals that ʻârûwm is a morally neutral descriptor of intelligence or shrewdness. Its ethical valence is determined by the intent and outcome of its application. When used for deception or malice, it is condemned; when used for wise living, discretion, and foresight, it is commended.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb ʻâram (`{{H6191}}`), from which ʻârûwm is derived. This root's semantic field includes "to be shrewd," "to be cunning," and intriguingly, "to be naked" or "bare." The connection between "nakedness" and "shrewdness" might imply being exposed, unadorned, or perhaps having a direct, unvarnished insight into things, which can be used for good or ill.
Other related concepts and antonyms include:
* **Wisdom/Understanding:** ḥāḵām (`{{H2451}}`, wise), bîn (`{{H979}}`, to understand, discern), tᵉbûnâ (`{{H8394}}`, understanding). These words often align with the positive sense of ʻârûwm.
* **Folly/Simplicity:** petî (`{{H6601}}`, simple, naive), kesîl (`{{H3684}}`, fool), ʾĕwîl (`{{H191}}`, fool). These terms represent the opposite of the prudent ʻârûwm person, highlighting their lack of discernment and foresight.
* **Guile/Deceit:** While ʻârûwm can *imply* guile, other words like mirma (`{{H4820}}`, deceit, treachery) or remîyâ (`{{H7423}}`, deceit, slackness) describe the act of deception itself. ʻârûwm describes the *quality* of being capable of such acts.
The relationship between ʻârûwm and true wisdom is critical. While ʻârûwm can denote practical intelligence, it is distinct from the broader concept of ḥoḵmâ (`{{H2451}}`, wisdom), which often carries a more profound moral and theological dimension rooted in the fear of the Lord. ʻârûwm describes a *type* of intelligence, which can be an *aspect* of wisdom.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻârûwm lies in its portrayal of human intelligence and its moral ambiguity.
1. **The Nature of Evil:** The serpent's ʻârûwm in Genesis establishes a foundational understanding of evil as not merely brute force but as subtle, intelligent, and deceptive. It highlights that sin often begins with a clever manipulation of truth and a deceptive appeal to desires. This initial portrayal sets a precedent for understanding the cunning nature of spiritual adversaries.
2. **Human Responsibility and Discernment:** The positive use of ʻârûwm in Proverbs underscores God's commendation of practical wisdom and discernment in daily life. It is a divine expectation for humanity to be shrewd, not in a manipulative sense, but in a way that leads to righteous living, avoids pitfalls, and promotes well-being. This prudence is a gift that allows individuals to navigate a fallen world wisely, avoiding the traps set by folly or evil.
3. **God's Sovereignty Over Human Cunning:** The instance in Job 5:13 demonstrates that even the most astute human craftiness cannot ultimately thwart God's purposes. God is able to "take the wise in their own craftiness," revealing the futility of human scheming when it opposes divine will. This emphasizes God's ultimate wisdom and sovereignty over all human endeavors, both good and ill.
4. **The Dual Capacity of Intelligence:** ʻârûwm illustrates that intelligence and shrewdness are not inherently moral. They are capacities that can be directed towards good or evil. The Bible calls believers to exercise prudence and discretion, not to be naive, but to use their intelligence for God-honoring purposes, contrasting sharply with the cunning that leads to sin and destruction.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6175 (ʻârûwm) describes a quality of shrewdness or cunning, a passive participle of the verb ʻâram (`{{H6191}}`). Its meaning is profoundly bifurcated:
* **Negative:** It denotes deceptive cunning, craftiness, or guile, as seen in the serpent's character in [[Genesis 3:1]] and in human malice in [[Job 5:13]].
* **Positive:** It signifies practical wisdom, prudence, foresight, and discretion, a virtue frequently extolled in the book of Proverbs (e.g., [[Proverbs 14:8]], [[Proverbs 22:3]]).
The theological significance of ʻârûwm lies in its portrayal of intelligence as a morally neutral capacity, whose ethical value is determined by its application and motivation. It highlights the subtle nature of evil, the necessity of God-given prudence for righteous living, and God's ultimate sovereignty over all forms of human cleverness. The word challenges believers to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([[Matthew 10:16]]), emphasizing the call to employ shrewdness for good, not for evil.
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