English · KJV
H729

אָרַז

ʼâraz /aw-raz'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto be firm; used only in the passive participle as a denominative from אֶרֶז; of cedar
KJV usagemade of cedar.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼâraz — 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 participle ʼâraz, represented by H729, means made of cedar. It appears just 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its definition, derived from a primitive root meaning "to be firm," is used to describe an object constructed from the strong and valuable wood of the cedar tree.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical use of H729 is found in a description of the vast commerce of Tyre. In Ezekiel 27:24, it specifies the material of valuable containers used by merchants. These traders dealt in luxurious goods, including "chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar," highlighting the quality and expense of the items being transported and sold.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words appear alongside H729 in its only context, painting a picture of ancient trade:

  • H7402 râkal (merchant): This word identifies the traders who travel to conduct business. It is used to describe the merchants of Tyre, Sheba, and other regions Ezekiel 27:24.
  • H4360 miklul (all sorts): Defined as something perfect or a splendid garment, this word is used in the passage to indicate the great variety of merchandise available, translated as "in all sorts of things" Ezekiel 27:24.
  • H1595 genez (chest, treasury): This term refers to a coffer or place for storing treasure. In Ezekiel 27:24, it denotes the chests that were made of cedar, and it is also used elsewhere to refer to the king's treasuries Esther 3:9.

Theological Significance

The significance of H729 is drawn entirely from its specific context within the prophecy against Tyre.

  • Symbol of Luxury: The mention of items being made of cedar contributes to the depiction of Tyre's immense wealth and access to high-quality, exotic goods. Cedar was a prized material, and its use in constructing chests underscores the value of the contents and the prosperity of the merchants.
  • Descriptive Detail: Its inclusion in the list of merchandise in Ezekiel 27:24 adds a layer of specific detail, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Tyre's commercial empire. The passage inventories not only the goods but the very materials used in their trade.

Summary

In summary, H729 is a rare and highly specific term. Its sole appearance as ʼâraz, meaning "made of cedar," serves a distinct purpose: to illustrate the quality and richness of the goods that defined the commerce of ancient Tyre. It shows how even a single, non-recurring word can add significant detail and texture to a biblical passage, contributing to its theme of worldly wealth and trade.

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 an adjective across 4 occurrences, inflected in 2 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.

  • אֲרָזִים
  • אֲרֻזִים

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.

H7402 רָכַל a primitive root; to travel for trading; (spice) merchant. H4360 מִכְלֻל from כָּלַל; something perfect, i.e. a splendid garment; all sorts. H1595 גֶּנֶז from an unused root meaning to store; treasure; by implication, a coffer; chest, treasury.

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

1 verse, all in Ezekiel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

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.