Lexical Summary arabah: Desert, Plain, Wilderness, Steppe Original Word: עֲרָבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance desert, plain, wilderness From arab (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea -- Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also Beyth ha-'Arabah. see HEBREW arab see HEBREW Beyth ha-'Arabah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Arab Definition a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running S. from the Sea of Galilee NASB Translation Arabah (28), desert (7), desert plain (2), desert plains (2), deserts (3), fords (1), plain (1), plains (15), wilderness (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. עֲרָבָה61 noun feminine desert-plain, steppe; — absolute ׳ע 2 Samuel 4:7 +, suffix עַרְבָתָהּ Isaiah 51:3; plural עֲרָבוֺת Jeremiah 5:6; Psalm 68:5, construct עַרְבוֺת 2 Kings 25:5 +, עַרְבֹת Jeremiah 52:8; — 1 earliest use: a. arid steppe west of Dead Sea (in southern Judah) 1 Samuel 23:24, also Ezekiel 47:8; Isaiah 51:3, whence name ׳יָם הָע Joshua 3:16 (JE) "" יָם הַמֶּלַח), also 2 Kings 14:25; Deuteronomy 4:49, and ("" id.) Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 12:3 (D); נַחַל הָעֲרָבָה Amos 6:14 must be east of Dead Sea, si vera lectio, but read probably מִצְרַיִם ׳נ see נַחַל. b. Jordan-valley west of river + adjacent plain; near ford (opposite Jericho) 2 Samuel 2:29, compare Joshua 8:14 (JE); also Deuteronomy 11:30; 2 Kings 25:4 = Jeremiah 39:4 = Jeremiah 52:7; — 2 Samuel 15:28; 2 Samuel 17:16 see עֲבָרָה c. Jordan-valley east of river 2 Samuel 4:7. 2 in D: a. especially of east Jordan plain Deuteronomy 1:1 (probably) Joshua 12:1,3, east half of Jordan-valley Deuteronomy 3:17; Deuteronomy 4:49; of entire Jordan-valley (between כִּנֶּרֶת and Dead Sea, modern El-Ghôr, the Depression) Deuteronomy 1:7; Joshua 11:2,16; west Jordan plain only Joshua 12:8; depression south of Dead Sea (modern Wady el-`Arabah) Deuteronomy 2:8. 3 in P always plural construct עַרְבוֺת מוֺאָב (east Jordan) Numbers 22:1 11t. (see מוֺאָב); עְרֵחוֺ ׳ע (West Jordan) Joshua 4:13; Joshua 5:10, also 2 Kings 25:5 = Jeremiah 39:5 = Jeremiah 52:8. 4 apparently North Arabian desert Isaiah 40:3; Isaiah 41:19. 5 in General the steppe (often "" מִדְבָּר), Jeremiah 17:6; Jeremiah 50:12; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 35:1,6; Job 24:5; Job 39:6; Psalm 68:5; זְאֵב עֲרָבוֺת Jeremiah 5:6 (figurative of invader); compare description of Exodus אֶרֶץ עֲרָבָה וְשׁוּחָה Jeremiah 2:6; in simile, of a plain, of future land of Judah Zechariah 14:10. — See DrDeuteronomy 1:1 and references BuhlGeogr. 111. עַרְבָתִי see בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה V. ערב (√ of following; compare Assyrian erêbu, enter, go in; erêb šamši, sunset; Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview עֲרָבָה (Arabah) designates the great rift-valley and accompanying desert-steppe running north–south through the land of Israel and Jordan, together with smaller plains of similar topography. Approximately sixty Old Testament occurrences weave the Arabah into Israel’s geography, history, worship, and prophetic hope, making it far more than a barren backwater. Scripture presents it as a place of testing and judgment, yet also of refuge, commerce, victory, and future transformation. Geographical Location and Physical Characteristics 1. The Jordan Rift Valley. Most references point to the broad, sun-scorched trench stretching from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee down past the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat). At its lowest point near the Dead Sea it lies more than 400 meters below sea level, flanked by the Judean hills to the west and the plateau of Moab and Edom to the east (Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 12:3). The Arabah in the Wilderness Generation Moses delivered his final addresses “in the Arabah opposite Suph” (Deuteronomy 1:1), and the term frames several itinerary markers (Deuteronomy 2:8; 3:17; 4:49). The Jordan crossing likewise occurs “beside the Arabah” (Joshua 3:16), underscoring how the valley served as both barrier and gateway to the Promised Land. The wilderness hardships that Israel endured there highlight the faithfulness of God who “led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and darkness, through a land that no one traversed” (Jeremiah 2:6). Settlement and Warfare 1. Conquest and Allocation. Joshua’s campaigns traverse the Arabah repeatedly (Joshua 8:14; 11:16; 12:1), and the plain is allotted to Benjamin and Reuben at different points (Joshua 18:18; Deuteronomy 3:16–17), emphasizing its agricultural and strategic value near water sources. Economic and Commercial Significance 1. Metallurgy and Trade. At Ezion-geber and Elath—ports situated in the southern Arabah—Solomon outfitted fleets trading with Ophir (1 Kings 9:26–28) and probably exploited rich copper deposits still visible today. Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Hope 1. Transformation Motif. Isaiah declares, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus” (Isaiah 35:1). Verse 7 adds, “The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs,” portraying the Arabah as a canvas for God’s salvific renewal. Symbolism of Testing and Refuge Scripture pairs the Arabah’s harshness with divine provision. Elijah, pursued by Ahab, journeys southward and is sustained, much like Israel of old (compare 1 Kings 19). Jeremiah urges the exiles, “You who have escaped the sword, depart, do not stay! Remember the Lord from far away, and let Jerusalem come to mind” (Jeremiah 51:50), an appeal uttered while traveling “in the Arabah.” The desert thus becomes a proving ground that drives hearts to rely on God alone. Spiritual Lessons and Ministry Application 1. God leads through deserts to shape dependence. Times of spiritual dryness mirror the Arabah; yet valleys herald crossings into promise when guided by faith. Key References (representative) Deuteronomy 1:1; 3:17; 4:49 Joshua 3:16; 11:16; 18:18 2 Kings 14:25; 25:4 Isaiah 35:1,7; 40:3 Jeremiah 2:6; 39:4; 51:50 The Arabah, then, is more than a geographic footnote; it is a recurring stage where God tests, judges, delivers, and promises final renewal, urging every generation to trust Him to turn deserts into streams and to make straight paths for His glory. Forms and Transliterations בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת בְּעַֽרְב֥וֹת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֥ת בְּעַרְב֣וֹת בָּ֭עֲרָבוֹת בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ בָּעֲרָבָ֑ה בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה בָּעֲרָבָ֗ה בָּעֲרָבָ֥ה בָּעֲרָבָֽה׃ בערבה בערבה׃ בערבות בערבת הָ֨עֲרָבָ֜ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֔ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה הָֽעֲרָבָה֙ הָעֲרָבָ֑ה הָעֲרָבָ֖ה הָעֲרָבָ֛ה הָעֲרָבָ֤ה הָעֲרָבָֽה׃ הָעֲרָבָֽתָה׃ הערבה הערבה׃ הערבתה׃ וְהָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה וְהָעֲרָבָה֩ וְעַרְבָתָ֖הּ וַעֲרָבָ֑ה וַעֲרָבָֽה׃ וּבָֽעֲרָבָה֙ וּבָעֲרָבָ֛ה ובערבה והערבה וערבה וערבה׃ וערבתה כָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה כָּעֲרָבָה֙ כערבה מֵֽעַרְבֹ֤ת מערבת עֲרָבָ֛ה עֲרָבָ֣ה עֲרָבָ֤ה עֲרָבָ֥ה עֲרָבוֹת֙ עַֽרְב֥וֹת עַֽרְבֹ֣ת ערבה ערבות ערבת ‘ă·rā·ḇāh ‘ă·rā·ḇō·wṯ ‘ar·ḇō·wṯ ‘ar·ḇōṯ ‘ărāḇāh ‘ărāḇōwṯ ‘arḇōṯ ‘arḇōwṯ araVah araVot arVot bā‘ărāḇāh bā‘ărāḇōwṯ bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh bā·‘ă·rā·ḇō·wṯ baaraVah BaaraVot bə‘arḇōṯ bə‘arḇōwṯ bə·‘ar·ḇō·wṯ bə·‘ar·ḇōṯ bearVot hā‘ărāḇāh hā‘ărāḇāṯāh hā·‘ă·rā·ḇā·ṯāh hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh haaraVah haaraVatah kā‘ărāḇāh kā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh kaaraVah mê‘arḇōṯ mê·‘ar·ḇōṯ mearVot ū·ḇā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh ūḇā‘ărāḇāh uvaaraVah vaaraVah vearvaTah vehaaraVah wa‘ărāḇāh wa·‘ă·rā·ḇāh wə‘arḇāṯāh wə·‘ar·ḇā·ṯāh wə·hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh wəhā‘ărāḇāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 22:1 HEB: יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת מוֹאָ֔ב מֵעֵ֖בֶר NAS: and camped in the plains of Moab KJV: and pitched in the plains of Moab INT: of Israel and camped the plains of Moab side Numbers 26:3 Numbers 26:63 Numbers 31:12 Numbers 33:48 Numbers 33:49 Numbers 33:50 Numbers 35:1 Numbers 36:13 Deuteronomy 1:1 Deuteronomy 1:7 Deuteronomy 2:8 Deuteronomy 3:17 Deuteronomy 3:17 Deuteronomy 4:49 Deuteronomy 4:49 Deuteronomy 11:30 Deuteronomy 34:1 Deuteronomy 34:8 Joshua 3:16 Joshua 4:13 Joshua 5:10 Joshua 8:14 Joshua 11:2 Joshua 11:16 60 Occurrences |
    |
set (distinct from 
depart, = Sabean עֿרב withdraw, according to DHMEpigr. Denkm. 27), 
place of sunset, west; Sabean מערבם, מערבי [not עֿ !] west, western, CISiv. p. 199 DHMl.c.; Ethiopic 
set (of heavenly bodies), so Syriac 
; 
evening (LagBN 64 f.); Zinjirli מערב west; Late Hebrew עֶרֶב = Biblical Hebrew. Hence also Εὐπώπη, Europe, LewyFremdw. 139).