Lexical Summary Arbi: Of Arba Original Word: אַרְבִּי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arbite Patrial from 'Arab; an Arbite or native of Arab -- Arbite. see HEBREW 'Arab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a native of Arab NASB Translation Arbite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְבִּי adjective, of a people ׳הָא 2 Samuel 23:35 (but compare Dr). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence אַרְבִּי appears a single time, describing “Paarai the Arbite” in the roster of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:35: “Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite”). The parallel list in 1 Chronicles 11:37 reads “Naarai son of Ezbai,” a scribal variation that does not affect the person’s identity. Geographical Setting: Arab of Judah Arab is listed among the hill-country towns of Judah (Joshua 15:52). Identified with modern Khirbet Rabba, it overlooks strategic passes between the Shephelah and Hebron. A native of such terrain would be accustomed to border skirmishes and rugged living—ideal preparation for David’s campaigns. Place among David’s Mighty Warriors David’s forces are grouped as the Three, the chiefs, and “the Thirty.” Though Paarai is in the final section, the narrative intent is clear: every name represents indispensable loyalty that secured David’s throne and, by extension, the lineage of the Messiah. Paarai’s single mention underscores that God remembers even seemingly minor contributors to His redemptive plan. Samuel-Chronicles Harmonization The name shift from “Paarai the Arbite” to “Naarai son of Ezbai” likely reflects a copyist’s transposition of similar consonants. The agreement on origin (Arab) and military stature confirms historical unity across the books, illustrating that textual variants never compromise doctrinal integrity. Spiritual Significance 1. Faithful obscurity. Paarai serves as a testament that anonymity on earth can translate to eternal honor (Matthew 6:4). Ministry Lessons • Small places matter. Churches in out-of-the-way settings can raise leaders of national and even global impact. Prophetic and Typological Note David’s kingdom prefigures Christ’s reign; his mighty men preview the glorified saints who will “reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12). The Arbite’s inclusion signals that those from humble, even unknown, locales will share in Messiah’s victory, fulfilling promises that extend “to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). Forms and Transliterations הָאַרְבִּֽי׃ הארבי׃ hā’arbî hā·’ar·bî haarBiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:35 HEB: הַֽכַּרְמְלִ֔י פַּעֲרַ֖י הָאַרְבִּֽי׃ ס NAS: the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, KJV: the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, INT: the Carmelite Paarai the Arbite 1 Occurrence |
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