Lexical Summary arab: close, evening, turns to gloom Original Word: עָרַב 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 Origindenominative 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). 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. Intertextual Connections Evening language threads through redemptive history: Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Timing – As dusk presses travellers to seek refuge, so leaders urge congregants not to delay repentance (Hebrews 3:13). 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‘ărêḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Isaiah 24:11 3 Occurrences |
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