Lexical Summary ervah: nakedness, undefended parts, bare Original Word: עֶרְוָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance nakedness, shame, uncleanness From arah; nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish) -- nakedness, shame, unclean(-ness). see HEBREW arah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arah Definition nakedness NASB Translation bare (1), indecency (1), indecent (1), nakedness (48), shame (1), undefended parts (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֶרְוָה54 noun feminine nakedness, pudenda; — absolute ׳ע Exodus 28:42; Leviticus 18:6; usually construct עֶרְוַת Genesis 9:22 +, suffix עֶרְוָתְךָ Exodus 20:23 (Ginsb), Leviticus 18:10; עֶרְוָתֵךְ Isaiah 47:3 +; ת֯וֺ Leviticus 20:17, תָ֯הּ Leviticus 18:7 +; suffix 3 feminine plural עֶרְוָתָן Leviticus 18:9; Leviticus 18:10; — 1 pudenda, of man ׳רָאָה ע implying shameful exposure Genesis 9:22,23 (J); mostly of woman: figurative of Jerusalem (with רָאָה) Lamentations 1:3; Ezekiel 16:37; usually with ׃ נלה literal ׳תִּגָּלֶה ע i.e. be exposed to view Exodus 20:23 (Ginsb; van d. H. Exodus 20:26; E), so, as shameful punishment, figurative of Egypt Isaiah 20:4 (gloss according to Du Che Di-Kit), Babylonian Isaiah 47:3, of Jerusalem Ezekiel 16:37; Ezekiel 23:10,29 (עֶרְוַת זְנוּנַיִךְ; all three object of active verb); chiefly euphemism for cohabitation, ׳גִּלָּה ע Leviticus 18:6 + (see גלה Pi`el 1 a; figurative of Jerusalem (verb passive) Ezekiel 16:36; ׳רָאָה ע in same meaning Leviticus 20:17 (twice in verse) (H; of both sexes); ׳ע also Leviticus 18:8,10,16 (H); ׳כִּסָּה ע cover nakedness Genesis 9:23 (J), Exodus 28:42 (P; ׳בְּשַׂר ע), Hosea 2:11 (figurative of Israel), Ezekiel 16:8 (of Jerusalem); reviling words are אִמֶּ֑ךָ ׳לְבשֶׁת ע 1 Samuel 20:30 (compare DoughtyArab. Deserta i. 269). 2 עֶרְוַת דָּבָר nakedness of a thing, i.e. probably indecency, improper behaviour Deuteronomy 23:15; Deuteronomy 24:1 (see Dr). 3 figurative הָאָרֶץ ׳ע Genesis 42:9,12 (E), i.e. its exposed, undefended parts (Arabic Topical Lexicon Overviewעֶרְוָה (ʿervah) designates the state or exposure of “nakedness,” whether literal, relational, moral, or metaphorical. Across roughly fifty-four Old Testament occurrences, the term frames Israel’s sexual ethics, guards covenant worship, and provides the prophets with a powerful image for national shame and unfaithfulness. Covenantal Standards of Modesty The first Mosaic appearance is cultic: “You must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it” (Exodus 20:26). Holiness in worship demanded reverence down to clothing and posture, anticipating later priestly regulations (Exodus 28:42). From the outset, עֶרְוָה signals that unguarded exposure before the Holy One violates covenant order. Incest and Sexual Boundaries (Leviticus 18; 20) Leviticus devotes two major sections to prohibiting the “uncovering of nakedness.” The phrase recurs sixteen times in Leviticus 18 and twelve times in Leviticus 20, establishing the definitive catalogue of forbidden unions—parents, siblings, in-laws, grandchildren, and animals. By repeatedly pairing the verb “to uncover” (גָּלָה) with עֶרְוָה, Scripture frames sexual sin as both exposure and violation. These statutes situate marital intimacy within created boundaries (Genesis 2:24) and shield the family from the destructive mingling common in surrounding cultures (cf. Leviticus 18:3). Interpersonal Honor and the Protection of Dignity Deuteronomy extends the principle beyond the immediate family: • Military encampments were to remain ritually clean: “He must go outside the camp and carry a shovel… and cover his excrement, so that He may not see any nakedness among you” (Deuteronomy 23:13–14). • Domestic life: “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and she finds no favor… because he has found something indecent in her” (Deuteronomy 24:1). Here עֶרְוָה broadens to any disgrace undermining the marriage covenant, yet still tied to moral exposure. These enactments protect the vulnerable (especially women) while preserving communal purity. Civil and Criminal Regulations In civil jurisprudence, עֶרְוָה marks crimes that defile land and people alike. Punishments range from childlessness (Leviticus 20:20–21) to death (Leviticus 20:11–17). By linking personal transgressions to national destiny, Torah underscores that private nakedness has public consequences (cf. Joshua 7). Prophetic Exposure of National Sin The prophets appropriate the vocabulary of nakedness to unveil idolatry: • “Your nakedness will be uncovered, and your disgrace will be exposed” (Isaiah 47:3) against Babylon. • Ezekiel depicts Jerusalem as an adulteress whose nakedness is laid bare before lovers and enemies alike (Ezekiel 16:36–37; 23:10, 18, 29). The imagery intensifies covenant indictment: what Israel allowed privately God exposes publicly. • “I am against you… I will lift your skirts over your face; I will show the nations your nakedness” (Nahum 3:5) to Nineveh. Thus עֶרְוָה becomes an eschatological sign—when covenant people persist in hidden sin, the Lord Himself reveals it. Association with Idolatry and Apostasy Uncovering nakedness often accompanies idol worship (Ezekiel 23:14–21) and bloodshed (Ezekiel 22:10). The link is theological: forsaking YHWH removes the covering of His righteousness, leaving spiritual nakedness (compare Genesis 3:7; Revelation 3:18). Nakedness and Divine Presence The motif reaches sanctuary dimensions. Priestly garments “cover their nakedness” (Exodus 28:43), echoing Eden’s covering and foreshadowing the need for an ultimate robe of righteousness. Conversely, when Eli’s sons “lay with the women” (1 Samuel 2:22), they desecrate the tabernacle, illustrating how sexual sin drives out glory (1 Samuel 4:21). Theological Trajectory Toward the New Covenant While עֶרְוָה itself is Hebrew-specific, its trajectory continues. The prophets yearn for a day when shame is removed (Isaiah 54:4). Revelation reverses Babylon’s exposure (Revelation 17:16) and culminates in the Lamb’s bride “clothed in fine linen, bright and pure” (Revelation 19:8). Thus the nakedness motif, beginning with protective statutes, points forward to Christ’s atoning “covering” (Romans 4:7-8). Pastoral Reflections 1. Sexual integrity remains non-negotiable for covenant people; Leviticus 18–20 supplies enduring principles for counseling, church discipline, and family life. In every era, עֶרְוָה warns that sin disrobes, grace garments, and holiness shields God’s people with lasting honor. Forms and Transliterations וְעֶרְוַ֥ת וְעֶרְוַ֨ת וערות עֶרְוַ֣ת עֶרְוַ֤ת עֶרְוַ֥ת עֶרְוַ֧ת עֶרְוַ֨ת עֶרְוַת־ עֶרְוָ֑ה עֶרְוָתְךָ֖ עֶרְוָתֵ֑ךְ עֶרְוָתֵ֔ךְ עֶרְוָתֵֽךְ׃ עֶרְוָתֵךְ֙ עֶרְוָתָ֑הּ עֶרְוָתָ֑ן עֶרְוָתָ֔הּ עֶרְוָתָ֛הּ עֶרְוָתָ֜הּ עֶרְוָתָֽהּ׃ עֶרְוָתָֽן׃ עֶרְוָתָהּ֒ עֶרְוָתָהּ֙ עֶרְוָתוֹ֙ ערוה ערות ערות־ ערותה ערותה׃ ערותו ערותך ערותך׃ ערותן ערותן׃ ‘er·wā·ṯāh ‘er·wā·ṯān ‘er·wā·ṯə·ḵā ‘er·wā·ṯêḵ ‘er·wā·ṯōw ‘er·wāh ‘er·waṯ ‘er·waṯ- ‘erwāh ‘erwaṯ ‘erwaṯ- ‘erwāṯāh ‘erwāṯān ‘erwāṯêḵ ‘erwāṯəḵā ‘erwāṯōw erVah erVat ervaTah ervaTan ervaTech ervateCha ervaTo veerVat wə‘erwaṯ wə·‘er·waṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 9:22 HEB: כְנַ֔עַן אֵ֖ת עֶרְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יו וַיַּגֵּ֥ד NAS: saw the nakedness of his father, KJV: saw the nakedness of his father, INT: the father of Canaan the nakedness of his father and told Genesis 9:23 Genesis 9:23 Genesis 42:9 Genesis 42:12 Exodus 20:26 Exodus 28:42 Leviticus 18:6 Leviticus 18:7 Leviticus 18:7 Leviticus 18:7 Leviticus 18:8 Leviticus 18:8 Leviticus 18:9 Leviticus 18:9 Leviticus 18:10 Leviticus 18:10 Leviticus 18:10 Leviticus 18:11 Leviticus 18:11 Leviticus 18:12 Leviticus 18:13 Leviticus 18:14 Leviticus 18:15 Leviticus 18:15 54 Occurrences |
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