Lexical Summary areb: Pledge, surety, guarantee Original Word: עָרֵב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sweet From areb; pleasant -- sweet. see HEBREW areb NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arab Definition sweet, pleasant NASB Translation sweet (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָרֵב adjective sweet, pleasant; — לָאִישׁ ׳ע לֶחֶם שָׁ֑קֶר Proverbs 20:17; ׳קוֺלֵח ע Songs 2:14. IV. ערב (√ of following; possibly be arid; Thes compare Ethiopic image unavailable be arid, sterile, so BaentschDie Wüste (1883), 17, but dubious; Syriac Topical Lexicon Overview Appearing only once (Song of Songs 2:14), עָרֵב describes something “sweet,” “pleasant,” or “agreeable,” in this case the bride’s voice as heard by her beloved. Though the vocabulary item is rare, its theological and devotional echoes reach far beyond the Song, illustrating how the Lord esteems the worship, prayer, and testimony of His people. Literary Setting in Song of Songs 2:14 In the wider dialogue of Song of Songs 2:8-17 the bridegroom invites the bride out of hiding. By calling her voice “sweet” (עָרֵב), he affirms her worth and delights in personal fellowship. The term heightens the intimate, covenantal love the Song celebrates—marital on the surface, but ultimately pointing to the covenant between Yahweh and Israel and, typologically, Christ and His Church. The passage moves the reader from winter to spring, from reticence to responsive communion, with the “sweet” voice acting as a catalyst of renewed relationship. Old Testament Context of Pleasant Speech Although עָרֵב itself is unique to Song of Songs, the Old Testament often links pleasing words with favor and blessing: The single use of עָרֵב stands at the intersection of these themes, tying the beauty of speech to worship and covenant. Root Family Resonances The wider ערב root group embraces ideas of mixing, guarantee, and evening. While etymologically distinct strands, they converge theologically: God mingles with His people in covenant; He guarantees their future; He meets them “at evening” in quiet fellowship. The “sweet” voice of Song 2:14 embodies all three—communion, assurance, and restful intimacy. Historical and Cultural Background In ancient Near-Eastern courtship poetry, verbal exchange carried weight equal to physical beauty. A bride’s voice signaled maturity, consent, and partnership. For Israel, whose worship centered on spoken and sung Word—prayers, psalms, prophetic oracles—the idea that a voice could be “sweet” to the Beloved reinforced the central role of proclamation and praise in covenant life. Theological Significance 1. Divine Delight in Human Response The Beloved’s pleasure anticipates the Lord’s delight when His people call upon Him (Zephaniah 3:17). The adjective underscores that the value of prayer lies not merely in content but in covenant relationship. “Sweet” carries the note of being received favorably; believers approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). New Testament Echoes While the Hebrew term does not reappear, its concept surfaces when the Father affirms the Son: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The pleasure motif passes to the Church’s praise: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Ministry Applications • Encourage congregational singing and Scriptural prayers, confident that they are “sweet” to the Lord. Homiletical Outline Idea 1. The Bride’s Hiding (Song 2:14a) Devotional Reflection When the Lord calls, He is not seeking flawless performance but genuine, trusting response. The single, shining occurrence of עָרֵב reminds every believer that a voice lifted in faith—however soft, however tremulous—is music to the heart of God. Forms and Transliterations עָרֵ֖ב ערב ‘ā·rêḇ ‘ārêḇ aRevLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Songs 2:14 HEB: כִּי־ קוֹלֵ֥ךְ עָרֵ֖ב וּמַרְאֵ֥יךְ נָאוֶֽה׃ NAS: For your voice is sweet, And your form KJV: thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, INT: For your voice is sweet and your form is lovely |
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= Biblical Hebrew; Arabic 
proper name of depression south of Dead Sea).