Lexical Summary ar: Watcher, Guardian Original Word: עָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance enemy From uwr; a foe (as watchful for mischief) -- enemy. see HEBREW uwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Ar Definition perhaps adversary NASB Translation adversary (1), enemies (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. עָר noun masculine only 2 t.: עָרֶ֑ךָ 1 Samuel 28:16 (see Dr.); read צָרֶ֑ךָ thine adversary Klo HPS (al. as alternatively with following) > עִם רֵעֶ֑ךָ ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Th Bu Kit (?)and others; עָרֶיךָ Psalm 139:20 is very dubious; Hup עָלֶיךָ, Ol Che and others שְׁמֶ֑ךָ; Bae leaves untranslated. עֵר see I. עִוּר. I. ערב (√ of foll; probably *עָרֵב mix; Late Hebrew עָרַב mix; so ᵑ7 Pa`el (often), Syriac Topical Lexicon Overview ‘Ar designates one who stands in active opposition, an adversary. In the Hebrew Scriptures the term is reserved for moments of stark relational rupture—where an individual or group is portrayed as setting itself against the Lord, or where the Lord Himself opposes a covenant-breaker. Though its lexical footprint is small, its theological weight is considerable, sharpening the Bible’s teaching on enmity, judgment, and reconciliation. Occurrences in Scripture • 1 Samuel 28:16 – Samuel announces to Saul, “The LORD has turned away from you and has become your enemy.” Historical Setting 1 Samuel 28 records Saul’s final descent after years of disobedience. The use of ‘ar underscores the terrible irony: the king anointed to fight the Lord’s enemies (1 Samuel 9:16) now finds the Lord fighting against him. In Psalm 139 David contrasts God’s covenant faithfulness with those who “speak of You with evil intent”; their status as ‘adversaries’ marks them for inevitable judgment. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Reversal: ‘Ar illustrates how rebellion reverses the covenant blessings (compare Deuteronomy 28:15–25); the God who promised protection can, in righteous judgment, become an opponent. Practical Ministry Implications • Call to Repentance: The starkness of ‘ar warns believers that sin not only displeases God but can place one in functional opposition to Him (James 4:4). Connections within the Canon • Contrast with ‘Oyev (“enemy” in military contexts): ‘Ar focuses on the personal and covenantal dimension of hostility. Summary for Teaching ‘Ar serves as a concise reminder that opposition to God is both personal and perilous. Its two occurrences frame a sobering truth: whether in the life of a king or the speech of the wicked, hostility toward the Lord provokes His active resistance. Yet the broader sweep of Scripture offers hope—those once called “enemies” may, through repentance and faith, become beloved children and heirs of peace. Forms and Transliterations עָרֶֽיךָ׃ עָרֶֽךָ׃ עריך׃ ערך׃ ‘ā·re·ḵā ‘āreḵā aRecha aReichaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 28:16 HEB: מֵעָלֶ֖יךָ וַיְהִ֥י עָרֶֽךָ׃ NAS: from you and has become your adversary? KJV: is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? INT: and has become enemy Psalm 139:20 2 Occurrences |
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mix (rarely, in derived forms), 
mixture).