4636. maarom
Lexical Summary
maarom: Nakedness, bareness

Original Word: מַעֲרֹם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: ma`arom
Pronunciation: mah-ah-ROHM
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ar-ome')
KJV: naked
NASB: naked ones
Word Origin: [from H6191 (עָרַם - become shrewd), in the sense of stripping]

1. bare

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
naked

From aram, in the sense of stripping; bare -- naked.

see HEBREW aram

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ur
Definition
something naked
NASB Translation
naked ones (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[מַעֲרֹם, Köii. 1, 121] noun masculine naked thing; — plural abstract suffix מַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶם2Chronicles 28:15 their nakedness (denominative from foregoing Sta§ 273 a; > √ ערם BaNB § 166 b).

III. עור (√ of following; meaning unknown).

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope

The Hebrew noun מַעֲרֹם designates an item of clothing or a change of raiment given to another. It carries the nuance of both practical covering and restoring dignity to the person clothed.

Scriptural Occurrence

2 Chronicles 28:15 contains the sole biblical use:

“Then the men designated by name got up and took the captives, and from the plunder they clothed all who were naked, gave them clothes and sandals, food and drink, and healing balm, and they led all the feeble on donkeys. They brought them to Jericho, the city of palms, and returned to Samaria.” (Berean Standard Bible)

Historical Context

• Setting: The reign of wicked King Ahaz of Judah, circa 732 BC.
• Event: The Northern Kingdom (often called Israel or Ephraim) won a devastating victory over Judah, capturing about two hundred thousand people.
• Prophetic Intervention: The prophet Oded rebuked Israel’s leaders for intending to enslave their Judean brothers (2 Chronicles 28:9-11).
• Response: Certain Ephraimite chiefs obeyed, supplied the captives with clothing, food, and transportation, then escorted them safely to Jericho—symbolically reversing the humiliation inflicted in battle.

Theological Significance

Restoration of Dignity—By providing מַעֲרֹם, the Ephraimites demonstrated repentance and a concrete expression of covenant compassion. Clothing the naked reverses shame (Genesis 3:21) and re-affirms the image of God in every person.

Obedience to Prophetic Word—The swift action illustrates that genuine repentance is visible and practical (James 2:15-17). Oded’s call was heeded not merely in word but in deed.

Unity among God’s People—The captives were “brothers” despite political division. Providing garments anticipated the apostolic appeal to remember the poor within the household of faith (Galatians 2:10).

Typological and Prophetic Foreshadowings

1. Messianic Clothing Motif—Isaiah 61:10 speaks of being “clothed in garments of salvation.” The Ephraimites’ act prefigures Christ’s provision of righteousness to sinners.
2. Good Samaritan Parallel—Luke 10:30-37 echoes the account: an unexpected neighbor supplies garments, oil, transport, and care on the Jericho road.
3. Judgment Teaching—Matthew 25:36 lists “I was naked and you clothed Me,” linking mercy toward the needy with service to the Messiah Himself.

Application for Ministry

• Mercy Ministries: Congregations are called to imitate this pattern by providing tangible relief—clothing drives, disaster relief, refugee assistance—while maintaining the gospel center.
• Repentance in Action: Social reconciliation should accompany spiritual renewal; injured parties are to be honored, not merely released.
• Teaching Illustrations: The episode offers a vivid narrative for sermons on repentance, social ethics, and the unity of the church.

Related Biblical Themes

Garments of Salvation—Isaiah 61:10

Clothing the Poor—Job 31:19; Ezekiel 18:7

Covering Shame—Genesis 3:21; Exodus 32:25

Brotherly Compassion—Deuteronomy 22:1-4; Romans 12:13

In Scripture, מַעֲרֹם stands as a single, shining token that clothing the naked is more than charity; it is covenant faithfulness that mirrors the redemptive heart of God.

Forms and Transliterations
מַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶם֮ מערמיהם ma‘ărummêhem ma·‘ă·rum·mê·hem maarummeiHem
Links
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Englishman's Concordance
2 Chronicles 28:15
HEB: בַשִּׁבְיָ֗ה וְכָֽל־ מַעֲרֻמֵּיהֶם֮ הִלְבִּ֣ישׁוּ מִן־
NAS: all their naked ones from the spoil;
KJV: clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed
INT: the captives all their naked clothed from

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4636
1 Occurrence


ma·‘ă·rum·mê·hem — 1 Occ.

4635
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