6157. arob

Lexicon

arob: Swarm, swarm of flies

Original Word: עָרֹב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `arob
Pronunciation: ah-ROV
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-robe')
Definition: Swarm, swarm of flies
Meaning: a mosquito

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

divers sorts of flies, swarm

From arab; a mosquito (from its swarming) -- divers sorts of flies, swarm.

see HEBREW arab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as ereb
Definition
probably a swarm
NASB Translation
swarm of flies (1), swarms (7), swarms of flies (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עָרֹב₉ noun masculine^{Ex 8:20} probably swarm (mixture, from incessant, involved motion; Lag^{BN 112 doubts}); — of plague of stinging flies, coming in a swarm (see Di^Ex) Exodus 8:17 (twice in verse) + 5 t. 8(J), Psalm 78:45; Psalm 105:31.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to "swarm."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for עָרֹב in the Strong's Greek Concordance, as the term is specific to the Hebrew context of the plagues in Egypt. However, the concept of swarming insects or plagues can be related to general terms for pests or plagues in Greek, though these are not direct translations of עָרֹב.

Usage: The word עָרֹב appears in the context of the plagues of Egypt, specifically as the fourth plague, where swarms of insects are sent upon the Egyptians. It is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe a divine act of judgment.

Context: The Hebrew term עָרֹב (arov) is prominently featured in the narrative of the plagues of Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. In Exodus 8:21-31, God sends a plague of עָרֹב upon Egypt as a demonstration of His power and as a judgment against Pharaoh for refusing to let the Israelites go. The exact nature of the עָרֹב is debated among scholars, with interpretations ranging from flies to mosquitoes or other swarming insects. The Berean Standard Bible translates this term as "swarms of flies," reflecting a common understanding of the text.

The plague of עָרֹב is significant not only for its immediate impact on the Egyptian people and their land but also for its theological implications. It serves as a sign of God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to protect His people, as the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared from the plague. This distinction underscores the theme of divine protection and judgment that runs throughout the Exodus narrative.

The use of עָרֹב in the biblical text highlights the broader motif of chaos and order, with the swarming insects representing a breakdown of natural order as a result of human disobedience. The plague serves as a reminder of the consequences of defying divine authority and the power of God to restore order through His chosen means.

Forms and Transliterations

הֶ֣עָרֹ֔ב הֶעָרֹ֑ב הֶעָרֹ֔ב הֶעָרֹ֗ב הֶעָרֹֽב׃ הערב הערב׃ עָ֭רֹב עָרֹ֑ב עָרֹ֣ב ערב ‘ā·rōḇ ‘ārōḇ aRo he‘ārōḇ he·‘ā·rōḇ heaRo

Englishman's Concordance

Exodus 8:21
HEB: וּבְבָתֶּ֖יךָ אֶת־ הֶעָרֹ֑ב וּמָ֨לְא֜וּ בָּתֵּ֤י
NAS: I will send swarms of insects on you and on your servants
KJV: behold, I will send swarms [of flies] upon thee, and upon thy servants,
INT: your people your houses swarms will be full and the houses

Exodus 8:21
HEB: מִצְרַ֙יִם֙ אֶת־ הֶ֣עָרֹ֔ב וְגַ֥ם הָאֲדָמָ֖ה
NAS: will be full of swarms of insects, and also
KJV: shall be full of swarms [of flies], and also the ground
INT: and the houses Egyptian of swarms and also the ground

Exodus 8:22
HEB: הֱיֽוֹת־ שָׁ֖ם עָרֹ֑ב לְמַ֣עַן תֵּדַ֔ע
NAS: so that no swarms of insects will be there,
KJV: that no swarms [of flies] shall be
INT: shall be will be there swarms order you may know

Exodus 8:24
HEB: כֵּ֔ן וַיָּבֹא֙ עָרֹ֣ב כָּבֵ֔ד בֵּ֥יתָה
NAS: great swarms of insects into the house
KJV: a grievous swarm [of flies] into the house
INT: so came swarms great the house

Exodus 8:24
HEB: הָאָ֖רֶץ מִפְּנֵ֥י הֶעָרֹֽב׃
NAS: because of the swarms of insects in all
KJV: by reason of the swarm [of flies].
INT: the land reason of the swarms

Exodus 8:29
HEB: יְהוָ֔ה וְסָ֣ר הֶעָרֹ֗ב מִפַּרְעֹ֛ה מֵעֲבָדָ֥יו
NAS: to the LORD that the swarms of insects may depart
KJV: the LORD that the swarms [of flies] may depart
INT: the LORD may depart the swarms Pharaoh his servants

Exodus 8:31
HEB: מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַיָּ֙סַר֙ הֶעָרֹ֔ב מִפַּרְעֹ֖ה מֵעֲבָדָ֣יו
NAS: and removed the swarms of insects from Pharaoh,
KJV: and he removed the swarms [of flies] from Pharaoh,
INT: Moses and removed the swarms Pharaoh his servants

Psalm 78:45
HEB: יְשַׁלַּ֬ח בָּהֶ֣ם עָ֭רֹב וַיֹּאכְלֵ֑ם וּ֝צְפַרְדֵּ֗עַ
NAS: He sent among them swarms of flies which devoured
KJV: He sent divers sorts of flies among them, which devoured
INT: sent swarms devoured and frogs

Psalm 105:31
HEB: אָ֭מַר וַיָּבֹ֣א עָרֹ֑ב כִּ֝נִּ֗ים בְּכָל־
NAS: and there came a swarm of flies [And] gnats
KJV: and there came divers sorts of flies, [and] lice
INT: spoke came A swarm gnats all

9 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6157
9 Occurrences

‘ā·rōḇ — 4 Occ.
he·‘ā·rōḇ — 5 Occ.