Lexical Summary Arab: Arab Original Word: עֲרָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arabia Or marab {ar-ab'}; from arab in the figurative sense of sterility; Arab (i.e. Arabia), a country East of Palestine -- Arabia. see HEBREW arab Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲרַב noun [masculine] desert-plateau, steppe (compare CheIntr. Is. 129); — בַּעֲרָ֑ב בַּעֲרַב (si vera lectio) Isaiah 21:13 (twice in verse) in the steppe (of what we know as North Arabia); but in vb Vrss Lo Che GuKau and others בָּעֶרֶב in the evening. עֲרָב proper name, of a people collective steppe-dwellers of North Arabia (WetzstZVölkerpsych. vii. 463 f.; extended later (so Herodii. 11 etc.) to whole peninsula, compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Identity and Setting עֲרָב refers to the desert peoples and territory south and southeast of the Promised Land—the caravan-routes, oases, and steppe of what Scripture calls “Arabia.” These nomadic and semi-nomadic clans, famous for camels, trade, and pastoralism, bordered Israel and interacted with it politically, commercially, and spiritually. Scriptural Occurrences (6) 1 Kings 10:15; 2 Chronicles 9:14; Isaiah 21:13; Jeremiah 25:24; Ezekiel 27:21 (Isaiah 21:13 contains two uses of the term). The contexts cluster around three themes: tribute to Solomon, prophetic judgment, and international commerce. Arabia and the Golden Age of Solomon “...all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land” brought gold and other revenues to Solomon (1 Kings 10:15; 2 Chronicles 9:14). The text pictures a united monarchy so blessed that even distant desert rulers voluntarily rendered tribute. Their gifts validate God’s promise of unrivaled wisdom and prosperity to Solomon (1 Kings 3:12-13) and foreshadow the eschatological vision of nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 60:6). Prophetic Oracles Concerning Arabia 1. Isaiah 21:13-17 pronounces a “burden against Arabia.” Refugees from battle seek shelter in “the thickets of Arabia,” only to be warned that within a year the glory of Kedar will wane. The oracle reminds readers that no nation, however elusive or mobile, can escape divine sovereignty. Commerce with Tyre Ezekiel 27:21 records, “Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, dealing in lambs, rams, and goats.” The Arabian tribes supplied livestock to Tyre’s maritime economy. Their role in this lament underscores how far-reaching the fall of Tyre would be—economically, culturally, and spiritually. Theological Themes 1. Universality of God’s Rule. Whether paying tribute, trading, or facing judgment, the Arabians exemplify the truth that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). Ministry Reflections • Gospel Missions: The presence of Arabs at Pentecost encourages prayer for gospel advance along ancient caravan routes that now house modern cities and unreached Bedouin camps. Conclusion עֲרָב stitches the Arabian desert into the biblical narrative—from Solomon’s courts to eschatological visions—demonstrating that God’s redemptive plan encompasses even the most remote nomads. History, prophecy, and present mission converge to call Christ’s people to declare His glory “from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Psalm 113:3), Arabia included. Forms and Transliterations בַּעְרַב֙ בַּעְרָ֑ב בערב הָעֶ֖רֶב הערב עֲרַב֙ עֲרָ֑ב ערב ‘ă·raḇ ‘ă·rāḇ ‘ăraḇ ‘ărāḇ aRav ba‘·raḇ ba‘·rāḇ ba‘raḇ ba‘rāḇ baRav hā‘ereḇ hā·‘e·reḇ haErevLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 10:15 HEB: וְכָל־ מַלְכֵ֥י הָעֶ֖רֶב וּפַח֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ NAS: the kings of the Arabs and the governors INT: and all the kings of the Arabs and the governors of the country 2 Chronicles 9:14 Isaiah 21:13 Isaiah 21:13 Jeremiah 25:24 Ezekiel 27:21 6 Occurrences |
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the Arabs, Bedúwy the people, DoughtyArab. Deserta, i. 224; Sabean ערבן, ערב, אערב CISiv. p. 123, Assyrian Aribu, Arubu, Arabi, people in North Arabia, DlPa 295 f., 304 f. COTJeremiah 25:24; also Urbi DlPa 305 f. of nomad 'Arab' tribes); — הַשֹּׁכְנִים בַּמִּדְבָּר ׳מַלְכֵי ע