English · KJV
H699

אֲרֻבָּה

ʼărubbâh /ar-oob-baw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine participle passive of אָרַב (as if for lurking)
Meaninga lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water)
KJV usagechimney, window.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼărubbâh — 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 ʼărubbâh, represented by H699, refers to a lattice, window, dovecot, chimney, or sluice. It appears 9 times in 9 unique verses. The word's definition, derived from a root suggesting "lurking," implies an opening or a structure with apertures, such as for smoke, water, or pigeons.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H699 most often refers to the "windows of heaven." These are portrayed as conduits for God's direct action upon the earth. They were opened to unleash the cataclysmic waters of the flood alongside the "fountains of the great deep" Genesis 7:11 and were later stopped to restrain the rain Genesis 8:2. In a contrasting context, the LORD challenges Israel to prove Him by bringing tithes, promising to open the windows of heaven and pour out an immense blessing Malachi 3:10. The term also describes more grounded apertures, such as a chimney where smoke escapes Hosea 13:3, the windows of a dovecot to which doves fly Isaiah 60:8, and the windows of a house whose observers grow dim in old age Ecclesiastes 12:3.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help illuminate the meaning of H699:

  • H8064 shâmayim (heaven): This word is frequently paired with H699 to form the phrase "windows of heaven," establishing the sky as the location of these divine sluices for both judgment and blessing (Genesis 7:11, Malachi 3:10).
  • H4599 maʻyân (fountain): Used in parallel with H699 in the flood account, these fountains of the great deep represent the earthly source of water that, combined with the "windows of heaven," brought about the deluge (Genesis 7:11, Genesis 8:2).
  • H6605 pâthach (to open wide): This verb is used to describe the action of opening the "windows of heaven," signifying the beginning of a powerful divine intervention (Genesis 7:11, Malachi 3:10, Isaiah 24:18).
  • H3123 yôwnâh (a dove): The connection is made explicit in Isaiah 60:8, where a group is seen flying like doves H3123 to their windows H699, reinforcing the "dovecot" meaning of the word.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H699 is significant, illustrating God's sovereignty over the natural and spiritual realms.

  • Conduits of Judgment and Blessing: The "windows of heaven" serve as a powerful image for God's ability to directly impact the world. They can be opened for destructive floods Genesis 7:11 and judgment Isaiah 24:18 or for abundant provision in response to faithfulness Malachi 3:10.
  • The Overwhelming Nature of God's Acts: Whether for curse or blessing, the opening of these windows signifies an unstoppable and overwhelming event. The floodwaters covered the earth, and the promised blessing in Malachi is so great there is not room enough to receive it Malachi 3:10.
  • Connecting the Physical and Divine: The use of H699 for both a common chimney Hosea 13:3 and the majestic "windows of heaven" links the tangible world to divine realities, using a familiar concept of an opening to explain God's interaction with His creation.

Summary

In summary, H699 is a versatile term that transcends a simple architectural definition. It encompasses physical openings like dovecots and chimneys while also serving as a potent theological symbol. As the "windows of heaven," it represents the very floodgates through which God pours out both devastating judgment and immeasurable blessing, reminding readers of His ultimate control over the forces of nature and the fortunes of humanity.

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 across 9 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.

  • אֲרֻבּוֹת
  • אֲרֻבֹּת
  • אֲרֻבָּה

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.

H8064 שָׁמַיִם dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding H4599 מַעְיָן or מַעְיְנוֹ; (Psalm 114:8), or (feminine) מַעְיָנָה; from עַיִן (as a denominative in the sense of a spring); a fountai H6605 פָּתַח a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break H3123 יוֹנָה probably from the same as יַיִן; a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating); dove, pigeon.

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 9 verses across 6 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Genesis, 2 Kings, and Isaiah (2 verses each); never once in the other 33.

2
Genesis
2
2 Kings
1
Ecclesiastes
2
Isaiah
1
Hosea
1
Malachi

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.