6150. arab
Lexical Summary
arab: close, evening, turns to gloom

Original Word: עָרַב
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `arab
Pronunciation: ah-RAHV
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rab')
KJV: be darkened, (toward) evening
NASB: close, evening, turns to gloom
Word Origin: [a primitive root (identical with H6148 (עָרַב - associate) through the idea of covering with a texture)]

1. to grow dusky at sundown

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be darkened, toward evening

A primitive root (identical with arab through the idea of covering with a texture); to grow dusky at sundown -- be darkened, (toward) evening.

see HEBREW arab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
denominative verb from ereb
Definition
to become evening, grow dark
NASB Translation
close (1), evening (1), turns to gloom (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[עָרַב] verb denominative become evening; grow dark (?); —

Qal. Infinitive construct רָפָה הַיּוֺם לַעֲרוֺב Judges 19:9, but read probably נָטָה הַיּוֺם לַעֶרֶב ᵐ5L GFM; Perfect3feminine singular figurative עָֽרְבָה Isaiah 24:11 all joy has grown dark, but read עָֽבְרָה has passed away Lo Gr PerlesAnal. 91 CheHpt and others

Hiph`il Infinitive absolute הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב 1 Samuel 17:16 doing it at morning and at evening.

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Symbolism

עָרַב describes the passage from daylight to dusk, the moment when brightness surrenders to shadow and daily activity gives way to rest—or, at times, to apprehension. Beyond mere chronology, Scripture uses the term to evoke a shift in atmosphere: calm hospitality in rural Benjamin (Judges 19:9), the tension of an impending battle in the Elah Valley (1 Samuel 17:16), and the universal gloom of divine judgment (Isaiah 24:11). Evening can therefore function as either welcome respite or ominous forewarning, depending on covenant faithfulness.

Occurrences in Canonical Context

Judges 19:9 – A hospitable father-in-law urges his guests to stay because “the day is waning toward evening.” The word frames a setting in which moral darkness soon corresponds to literal nightfall (Judges 19:22–30).
1 Samuel 17:16 – Goliath’s taunt arrives “every morning and evening,” marking persistent intimidation that erodes Israel’s courage until David’s appearance. The verse highlights the endurance of opposition and the need for steadfast trust.
Isaiah 24:11 – As worldwide judgment falls, “all joy turns to gloom,” portraying a creation stripped of celebration. Evening imagery intensifies the prophetic announcement that sin plunges society into deepening shadow.

Historical and Cultural Insights

In ancient Near-Eastern life, dusk signaled transition: gates closed, travellers sought lodging, sacrifices were offered (Exodus 29:39; Numbers 28:4), and watchmen took their posts (Psalm 130:6). To ignore the confines of night could invite peril. Thus, Judges 19 underscores social obligation to shelter the wayfarer before darkness. Similarly, the army of Israel endures forty evenings of humiliation, emphasizing how prolonged threat corrodes morale when no champion steps forward.

Theological Themes

1. The Brevity of Opportunity – Evening warns that time for decisive action is limited (John 9:4). In Judges 19, failure to depart before dusk becomes the catalyst for tragedy, illustrating negligence toward God-given warnings.
2. Persistent Adversity – Goliath’s daily rhythm mirrors trials that appear relentless. Yet evening also ends each cycle, hinting that God sets boundaries on evil and will at last intervene (1 Samuel 17:46).
3. Judgment and Restoration – Isaiah links global gloom with human rebellion; nonetheless, prophetic evening is not permanent. The same book later promises that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2), anticipating Messianic dawn.

Intertextual Connections

Evening language threads through redemptive history:
Genesis 1:5 pairs “evening and morning” to mark creative order.
Exodus 12:6 instructs that Passover lambs be slain “at twilight,” prefiguring Christ’s sacrifice as darkness descends upon Calvary (Matthew 27:45).
Luke 24:29 records disciples urging the risen Lord, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening,” revealing how recognition of Christ transforms approaching night into fellowship.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Pastoral Timing – As dusk presses travellers to seek refuge, so leaders urge congregants not to delay repentance (Hebrews 3:13).
• Perseverance Counseling – Individuals enduring sustained opposition (a modern “forty days”) are reminded that God ultimately appoints a deliverer.
• Worship Planning – Corporate liturgies may use evening services to reflect on confession, rest, and eschatological hope—mirroring creation’s pattern and Isaiah’s promise of renewed joy.

Christological Reflection

Though עָרַב pictures darkness, the Gospel proclaims that evening cannot hold sway. When “it was evening on that day, the first of the week,” the risen Jesus stood among fearful disciples, speaking peace (John 20:19). Thus, every biblical dusk gestures toward the Light of the World, who dispels gloom and guarantees an eternal dawn when “there will be no more night” (Revelation 22:5).

Forms and Transliterations
וְהַעֲרֵ֑ב והערב לַעֲרֹ֗ב לערב עָֽרְבָה֙ ערבה ‘ā·rə·ḇāh ‘ārəḇāh areVah la‘ărōḇ la·‘ă·rōḇ laaRo vehaaRev wə·ha·‘ă·rêḇ wəha‘ărêḇ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 19:9
HEB: רָפָ֨ה הַיּ֜וֹם לַעֲרֹ֗ב לִֽינוּ־ נָ֞א
NAS: has drawn to a close; please
KJV: draweth toward evening, I pray you tarry all night:
INT: has drawn the day to a close spend please

1 Samuel 17:16
HEB: הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם וְהַעֲרֵ֑ב וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֖ב אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
NAS: morning and evening for forty
KJV: morning and evening, and presented
INT: the Philistine morning and evening and took forty

Isaiah 24:11
HEB: הַיַּ֖יִן בַּֽחוּצ֑וֹת עָֽרְבָה֙ כָּל־ שִׂמְחָ֔ה
NAS: joy turns to gloom. The gaiety
KJV: all joy is darkened, the mirth
INT: the wine the streets turns All joy

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6150
3 Occurrences


‘ā·rə·ḇāh — 1 Occ.
la·‘ă·rōḇ — 1 Occ.
wə·ha·‘ă·rêḇ — 1 Occ.

6149
Top of Page
Top of Page