Lexical Summary arubbah: Window, lattice, sluice Original Word: עֲרֻבָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pledge, surety Feminine passive participle of Anammelek in the sense of a bargain or exchange; something given as security, i.e. (literally) a token (of safety) or (metaphorically) a bondsman -- pledge, surety. see HEBREW Anammelek NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as ereb Definition a thing exchanged, pledge, token NASB Translation guarantor (1), news (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲרֻבָּה noun feminine thing exchanged, pledge, token; — suffix עֲרֻבָּתָם 1 Samuel 17:18 = a token from them, i.e. response, token of welfare, Th Dr and others; absolute as accusative of congnate meaning with verb ׳עָרַב ע Proverbs 17:18 give a pledge. Topical Lexicon Usage in the Old Testament עֲרֻבָּה appears twice, each time portraying an act that confirms responsibility or evidences well-being. In 1 Samuel 17:18 Jesse sends David to the battlefield with food for his brothers and commands, “bring back a token of assurance from them”. The “token” would demonstrate that the sons of Jesse were alive and unharmed. Proverbs 17:18 warns, “A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor”, using the term for the tangible act of binding oneself to another’s debt. Both passages portray the word as a concrete sign that a person’s word or condition is reliable. Cultural and Historical Background In the Ancient Near East business was transacted largely on trust, witnessed by public gestures or items left behind. A shepherd might leave his staff, a traveler his outer cloak, or a soldier his seal as collateral. Such pledges confirmed agreements when written contracts were rare. Scripture regulates the practice (for example, Exodus 22:26-27; Deuteronomy 24:10-13), guarding the poor from exploitation and calling Israel to reflect divine justice. Theological Significance 1. Assurance of Life and Well-being—David’s mission to collect a pledge from his brothers shows that a small, physical object could testify to life preserved in the midst of war. The scene foreshadows the way tokens such as the blood on Israelite doorposts (Exodus 12:13) or Rahab’s scarlet cord (Joshua 2:18-21) attest to salvation accomplished by God. Christological Connection Hebrews 7:22 declares, “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant”. The Son’s very person functions as the ultimate עֲרֻבָּה—a living pledge securing believers’ eternal standing. Whereas human pledges may fail through insolvency or death, Christ’s indestructible life ensures fulfillment. Thus the limited Old Testament pictures anticipate the finished work of the perfect Surety. Practical and Ministry Implications • Financial Counsel—Believers are admonished to exercise discernment before co-signing debts. Churches can teach stewardship rooted in Proverbs 17:18, protecting members from entanglements that hinder generosity. Lessons for the Church Today 1. Value Visible Assurance—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper operate as New-Covenant tokens; they do not save, yet they testify to the reality of salvation and strengthen faith. Forms and Transliterations עֲ֝רֻבָּ֗ה עֲרֻבָּתָ֖ם ערבה ערבתם ‘ă·rub·bā·ṯām ‘ă·rub·bāh ‘ărubbāh ‘ărubbāṯām arubBah arubbaTamLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 17:18 HEB: לְשָׁל֔וֹם וְאֶת־ עֲרֻבָּתָ֖ם תִּקָּֽח׃ NAS: and bring back news of them. KJV: fare, and take their pledge. INT: and look the welfare news and bring Proverbs 17:18 2 Occurrences |
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