Lexical Summary arah: bulrushes Original Word: עָרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance paper reed Feminine from arah; a naked (i.e. Level) plot -- paper reed. see HEBREW arah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arah Definition bare place NASB Translation bulrushes (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָרָהע noun feminine bare place; — plural עָרוֺת Isaiah 19:7 (si vera interpr.; > ᵐ5 ἄχ(ε)ι, Ki Saad reeds). Topical Lexicon Meaning and imagery עָרָה depicts tracts of land left “bare” or “stripped.” In Isaiah 19:7 it stands in poetic parallelism with withering reeds and rushes, portraying the Nile’s banks laid waste. The term conjures the vision of fertile ground suddenly exposed, a shoreline once clothed in greenery now uncovered to scorching winds and drought. Biblical setting of Isaiah 19 Isaiah 19 is an oracle against Egypt. The passage moves from political chaos (verses 1-4) to ecological collapse (verses 5-10). At the center of that collapse lies verse 7, where עָרָה signals the failure of the very soil that sustained Egypt’s economic and military strength: “The bulrushes by the Nile, by the mouth of the river, and every sown field along the Nile will wither, blow away, and be no more.” (Isaiah 19:7) By using a word that pictures nakedness, the prophet underlines the exposure of Egypt’s vulnerability. What was considered a secure source of life is laid bare before the judgment of the Lord. Prophetic themes 1. Judgment on false security. Egypt trusted its river; Israel was tempted to trust Egypt (Isaiah 30:1-5). עָרָה dramatizes the futility of leaning on human power. Theological significance • Exposure of idolatry. The uncovering implied by עָרָה mirrors how God uncovers the idols of the heart (Ezekiel 14:3-5). Applications for ministry • Warning against misplaced reliance. Congregations tempted to depend on cultural influence, finances, or technology must remember that God can strip any Nile. Related Scripture Deuteronomy 28:23-24 – covenant curses that include agricultural barrenness. Jeremiah 14:2-6 – drought language echoing Isaiah’s imagery. Joel 1:10-12 – fields laid waste as a summons to solemn assembly. Acts 7:22; Revelation 11:8 – later references to Egypt as a spiritual symbol of worldly power destined for judgment. Summary At one strategic moment Isaiah selects the rare term עָרָה to picture Egypt’s lush riverbanks turned into stark, uncovered ground. The word’s lone appearance intensifies the message: human strength, however fertile, is fragile under divine scrutiny. Recognizing this truth steers God’s people away from false confidences and toward wholehearted trust in the Lord who both strips and restores. Forms and Transliterations עָר֥וֹת ערות ‘ā·rō·wṯ ‘ārōwṯ aRotLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 19:7 HEB: עָר֥וֹת עַל־ יְא֖וֹר NAS: The bulrushes by the Nile, by the edge KJV: The paper reeds by the brooks, INT: the bulrushes by the Nile 1 Occurrence |
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