English · KJV
H6196

עַרְמוֹן

ʻarmôwn /ar-mone'/ Ask about this word
Rootprobably from עָרַם
Meaningthe plane tree (from its smooth and shed bark)
KJV usagechestnut tree.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻarmôwn — 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 ʻarmôwn, represented by H6196, refers to the chesnut tree. The term's definition suggests it may be the plane tree, so named for its smooth and shed bark. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H6196 is presented in two distinct ways. First, it is identified as a source of wood used by Jacob, who took rods H4731 from the chesnut tree along with poplar and hazel to influence his flock Genesis 30:37. In a contrasting use, Ezekiel employs the chesnut tree as a standard of natural beauty and majesty. In a prophecy describing the greatness of Assyria, the chesnut trees in the garden H1588 of God H430 are mentioned as being inferior to its splendor Ezekiel 31:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help establish the context for ʻarmôwn:

  • H3839 libneh (poplar): This term for a "whitish tree" appears alongside the chesnut tree in the account of Jacob preparing rods for his flock Genesis 30:37.
  • H3869 lûwz (hazel): Described as "some kind of nuttree," it is the third type of wood Jacob used, completing the trio with poplar and chesnut Genesis 30:37.
  • H730 ʼerez (cedar): A cedar tree known for its tenacity. In Ezekiel, cedars are listed with chesnut trees as magnificent trees in God's garden that could not compare to Assyria's glory Ezekiel 31:8.
  • H1265 bᵉrôwsh (fir tree): Mentioned as a prominent tree whose boughs H5589 were not like those of the allegorical tree representing Assyria, placing it in the same high category as the chesnut tree Ezekiel 31:8.
  • H6288 pᵉʼôrâh (branches): This word, denoting foliage or limbs, describes the part of the chesnut tree used as a benchmark for beauty in Ezekiel's vision Ezekiel 31:8.

Theological Significance

Though mentioned infrequently, the use of H6196 carries specific thematic weight.

  • A Natural Resource: The account in Genesis highlights the chesnut tree as a tangible part of the natural world, providing materials for human use. Jacob's action of pilling the rods demonstrates a practical interaction with this specific tree H6086 Genesis 30:37.
  • A Standard of Divine Beauty: In Ezekiel, the chesnut tree is placed within the garden H1588 of God H430, establishing it as a symbol of created perfection. Its branches H6288 are presented as a measure of splendor Ezekiel 31:8.
  • Symbolic Grandeur: Its inclusion with other noble trees like cedars H730 and fir trees H1265 serves to create an image of ultimate earthly magnificence, which is then used to emphasize the even greater, albeit temporary, glory of the Assyrian empire Ezekiel 31:8.

Summary

In summary, ʻarmôwn H6196 is a specific botanical term that, in its two appearances, serves dual roles. It is both a literal tree used for a practical purpose in the patriarchal narrative and a lofty symbol of natural grandeur in prophetic imagery. These contexts establish the chesnut tree as a representation of the beauty and utility found within God's creation.

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 and a verb across 3 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.

  • עַרְמֹנִים
  • יַעְרִם
  • עֶרְמוֹן

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.

H4731 מַקֵּל or (feminine) מַקְּלָה; from an unused root meaning apparently to germinate; a shoot, i.e. stick (with leaves on, or for H1588 גַּן from גָּנַן; a garden (as fenced); garden. H430 אֱלֹהִים plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) H3839 לִבְנֶה from לָבַן; some sort of whitish tree, perhaps the storax; poplar. H3869 לוּז probably of foreign origin; some kind of nuttree, perhaps the almond; hazel. H730 אֶרֶז from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree).

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 Genesis and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Genesis
1
Ezekiel

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.