Lexical Summary araz: To gather, to collect, to store Original Word: אָרַז Strong's Exhaustive Concordance made of cedar A primitive root; to be firm; used only in the passive participle as a denominative from 'erez; of cedar -- made of cedar. see HEBREW 'erez NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee aruz. Brown-Driver-Briggs ארז (compare Arabic  be firm, also withdraw, retreat). [אָרוּז] adjective firm, strong (compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Literary Setting The verb אָרַז accents the use of cedar as an overlaying or enclosing material. Its occurrences cluster around royal and priestly architecture (Solomon and David) and luxurious international commerce (Tyre), so each context features cedar as a marker of permanence, prestige, and protection. Occurrences in Canonical Order 1 Kings 6:9 – Solomon “roofed the temple with beams and boards of cedar,” completing the house where the Name would dwell. 1 Chronicles 17:1 – David contrasts his “house of cedar” with the tented ark. 1 Chronicles 17:6 – God reminds Israel that He never demanded “a house of cedar,” underscoring grace over grandeur. Ezekiel 27:24 – Tyre’s traders deliver “multicolored carpets … secured in cedar chests,” exhibiting commercial opulence on the eve of judgment. Historical and Cultural Background Cedar from Lebanon was prized in the ancient Near East for its resistance to rot and insects, its pleasant aroma, and its straight, massive trunks. Transporting it south required political alliances, skilled labor, and significant wealth (compare 2 Chronicles 2:3-16). When the biblical authors mention cedar, they are signaling top-tier resources—the best the world could provide. Theological and Symbolic Significance 1. Divine Dwelling versus Human Aspiration David’s cedar palace becomes the foil against which God reveals the greater plan: “The LORD declares to you that He Himself will establish a house for you” (2 Samuel 7:11). The sturdy cedar panels of David’s residence cannot compete with the everlasting dynasty God promises. אָרַז therefore frames the tension between mortal initiative and divine covenant. 2. Holiness and Durability Cedar’s longevity points to God’s own eternal nature. By overlaying the temple interior with cedar, Solomon mirrors divine incorruptibility inside the sanctuary where sacrifices prefigure the once-for-all atonement (Hebrews 10:12). 3. Judgment of Pride Ezekiel’s oracle portrays Tyre shipping luxury goods “in cedar chests,” yet the city soon sinks beneath the waves of history (Ezekiel 27:27). The same wood that secures valuables cannot shield pride from divine justice. Intertextual Echoes Cedar reappears as a symbol of lofty pride in Isaiah 2:13 and as imagery for the righteous flourishing in Psalm 92:12. The verb אָרַז subtly undergirds this motif: what humanity overlays with cedar may still be toppled unless anchored in covenant faithfulness. Ministry Implications • Excellence for God’s glory: Solomon’s careful cedar work models craftsmanship that honors the Lord without overshadowing Him. Summary אָרַז charts a trajectory from temple construction to prophetic indictment, linking cedar’s superior quality with themes of worship, covenant, and accountability. Its sparse but strategic appearances invite readers to examine whether their finest resources advance God’s purposes or merely decorate human ambition. Forms and Transliterations אֲרָזִֽים׃ ארזים׃ בָּאֲרָזִֽים׃ בארזים׃ הָֽאֲרָזִ֔ים הארזים וַאֲרֻזִ֖ים וארזים ’ă·rā·zîm ’ărāzîm araZim bā’ărāzîm bā·’ă·rā·zîm baaraZim hā’ărāzîm hā·’ă·rā·zîm haaraZim vaaruZim wa’ăruzîm wa·’ă·ru·zîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 6:9 HEB: גֵּבִ֔ים וּשְׂדֵרֹ֖ת בָּאֲרָזִֽים׃ INT: beams and planks made of cedar 1 Chronicles 17:1 1 Chronicles 17:6 Ezekiel 27:24 4 Occurrences |
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above) אֲרֻזִים