Lexical Summary arom: Naked, cunning, crafty Original Word: עָרַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance very, beware, take crafty counsel, be prudent, deal subtilly A primitive root; properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense) -- X very, beware, take crafty (counsel), be prudent, deal subtilly. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be shrewd or crafty NASB Translation become shrewd (1), make shrewd (1), sensible (1), very cunning (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָרֹם LagBN 31] verb be shrewd, crafty (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il; Arabic  ,  ,  be ill-natured, cross; ᵑ7 adjective עָרִים shrewd, Syriac  id., and verb in derived species (Pe`al in Lexicons)); — Qal Infinitive absolute in עָרֹם יַעְרִם 1 Samuel 23:22 he is exceedingly crafty. Hiph`il Imperfect be crafty, 3 masculine singular יַעְרִם 1 Samuel 23:22; be or become shrewd יַעְרִם Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 19:25; all these Qal Imperfect in ִ֯ according to BaZMG xliii (1889), 180 so Ges§ 63n BuhlLex, but perhaps read יֶעְרַם as Qal; True. Hiph`il in 3 masculine plural יַעֲרִימוּ סוֺד Psalm 83:4 they make crafty (their) counsel against thy people. Topical Lexicon Overview עָרַם (Strong’s 6191) is a dynamic verb whose range stretches from shrewd foresight to treacherous scheming. Scripture’s four occurrences reveal both facets: the humble prudence of the upright and the manipulative stratagems of the wicked. Because the word can either dignify or condemn, its contexts become decisive for interpretation and application. Biblical Occurrences and Context • 1 Samuel 23:22 – Saul, bent on destroying David, urges his informants: “Go and verify again… for I am told that he is very cunning.” Here עָרַם underscores military stealth, presenting David’s evasive skill. The narrative neither praises nor blames David’s craft; rather, it exposes Saul’s paranoia and foreshadows the Lord’s protection of His anointed. • Psalm 83:3 – The psalmist laments hostile nations: “With cunning they conspire against Your people and plot against those You cherish.” עָרַם casts the enemies’ diplomacy as deceitful, highlighting the moral gulf between covenant faithfulness and covenant hostility. • Proverbs 15:5 – “A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.” The wise son’s responsiveness is expressed by עָרַם in its positive, sagacious sense. It depicts a teachable spirit that discerns benefit in rebuke. • Proverbs 19:25 – “Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning, and he will gain knowledge.” The participial form signals a settled quality of discernment acquired through godly admonition. Moral Polarity in Usage The same verb depicts both righteous prudence (Proverbs) and wicked intrigue (Psalm, Saul’s spies). Scripture thus affirms that intellectual sharpness is morally neutral until directed either toward God-honoring wisdom or self-serving manipulation. This polarity echoes Genesis 3, where the cognate adjective describes the serpent; human shrewdness must therefore be redeemed, not eradicated. Historical Setting • Iron-Age Near Eastern warfare prized stratagem (cf. Joshua’s ambush at Ai). David’s “cunning” belonged to accepted military art but took place under divine restraint—he repeatedly refused to harm Saul. Theological Themes 1. Wisdom versus Folly – Proverbs employs עָרַם to show that true prudence begins with the fear of the Lord and a willingness to be corrected. Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship – Encourage believers to cultivate holy shrewdness: wise budgeting, critical media engagement, and strategic evangelism, without slipping into manipulation. Intertextual Connections – Cognate adjective עָרוּם (“crafty,” Genesis 3:1; Proverbs 12:16) reinforces the double-edged nature of shrewdness. – New Testament echoes: Jesus commends being “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16), balancing strategic acumen with moral purity—an ethic foreshadowed by positive uses of עָרַם. Summary Strong’s 6191 illustrates that mental agility is a God-given faculty, potent for good or evil. Scripture invites believers to submit their shrewdness to the Spirit, turning potential deceit into sanctified discernment that advances the kingdom and safeguards the flock. Forms and Transliterations יַעְרִ֑ם יַעְרִֽם׃ יַעֲרִ֣ימוּ יערימו יערם יערם׃ עָר֥וֹם ערום ‘ā·rō·wm ‘ārōwm aRom ya‘·rim ya‘ărîmū ya‘rim ya·‘ă·rî·mū yaaRimu yaRimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 23:22 HEB: אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֔י עָר֥וֹם יַעְרִ֖ם הֽוּא׃ NAS: for I am told that he is very cunning. KJV: him there: for it is told me [that] he dealeth very subtilly. INT: I am told about is very chestnut tree he Psalm 83:3 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 19:25 4 Occurrences |
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