Lexical Summary aras: To betroth, to engage Original Word: אָרַשׂ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance betroth, espouse A primitive root; to engage for matrimony -- betroth, espouse. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to betroth NASB Translation betroth (4), betrothed (1), engaged (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָרַשׂ] verb betroth (Mishna ארס, Phoenician ארש in proper name, LagSem i. 50 connects with Arabic  a fine, literally pay the price, & so gain the right of possession; compare Aramaic אָרִיס one who farms land; Assyrian mirsu, tribute, ZehnpfBAS i. 518) — only Pi`el Pu`al; Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular אֵרֵשׂ Deuteronomy 20:7; אֵרַשְׂתִּי 2 Samuel 3:14; suffix אֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ Hosea 2:21 (twice in verse); Hosea 2:22; Imperfect2masculine singular תְּאָרֵשׂ Deuteronomy 28:30; — betroth (subject man) object woman, אִשָּׁה Deuteronomy 20:7; Deuteronomy 28:30; followed by ב of price paid to father & ל of husband 2 Samuel 3:14; ב of gift to bride & ל of husband Hosea 2:21; Hosea 2:22, where figurative of Yahweh's covenant mercy to Israel. Pu`al Perfect3feminine singular אֹרָ֑שָׂה be betrothed, with לֹא, subject בְּתוּלָה Exodus 22:15; Deuteronomy 22:28 (נער בתולה); Participle feminine מְאֹרָשָׂה Deuteronomy 22:23, where affirmed of נער בתולה (followed by ל of husband) Deuteronomy 22:25; Deuteronomy 22:27 (in both subject הַנַּעֲרָ֯). ארשׁ (to desire, request, Assyrian êrêšu DlPr 55). Topical Lexicon Meaning and scope of betrothalThe verb translated “betroth” or “pledge to marry” denotes a legally binding commitment made prior to the wedding. In the Old Testament this period conferred husband–wife status in matters of fidelity and inheritance, though the marriage had not yet been consummated. Violation of a betrothal covenant was treated with the same gravity as adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-27), underscoring its covenantal character. Usage in the Torah • Exodus 22:16 distinguishes between an unbetrothed virgin and one already pledged. Seduction of an unbetrothed woman required the man to pay the bride-price and assume lifelong responsibility. Historical narrative In 2 Samuel 3:14 David reminds Ish-bosheth, “Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred Philistine foreskins”. The verse shows that betrothal contracts could include negotiated bride-prices and were enforceable even years later, reflecting their enduring legal standing. Prophetic symbolism Hosea 2:19-20 employs the term three times to portray the restoration of the covenant between God and His people: “I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. And I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD”. Here the human institution of betrothal becomes a metaphor for divine initiative, irrevocable commitment, and relational intimacy. The repetition intensifies the certainty of God’s promise and anticipates the new covenant realities actualized in Messiah. Covenantal and theological themes 1. Covenant fidelity: Betrothal mirrors God’s own faithfulness; violations are covenantal breaches rather than merely social missteps. Ministry implications • Premarital counseling: The betrothal statutes affirm that commitment precedes intimacy and that marriage is a covenant demanding preparedness, public affirmation, and accountability. Summary Occurrences of this verb frame betrothal as a sacred covenant, safeguard personal and national holiness, and serve as a prophetic vehicle for God’s redemptive love. Its consistent usage across legal, narrative, and prophetic texts testifies to Scripture’s unified portrayal of covenant commitment both human and divine. Forms and Transliterations אֵרַ֣שְׂתִּי אֵרַ֤שׂ אֹרָ֔שָׂה אֹרָ֖שָׂה ארש ארשה ארשתי הַמְאֹ֣רָשָׂ֔ה המארשה וְאֵרַשְׂתִּ֥יךְ וארשתיך מְאֹרָשָׂ֖ה מארשה תְאָרֵ֗שׂ תארש ’ê·raś ’ê·raś·tî ’êraś ’êraśtî ’ō·rā·śāh ’ōrāśāh eRas eRasti ham’ōrāśāh ham·’ō·rā·śāh hamOraSah mə’ōrāśāh mə·’ō·rā·śāh meoraSah oRasah ṯə’ārêś ṯə·’ā·rêś teaRes veerasTich wə’êraśtîḵ wə·’ê·raś·tîḵLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 22:16 HEB: אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־ אֹרָ֖שָׂה וְשָׁכַ֣ב עִמָּ֑הּ NAS: who is not engaged, and lies KJV: a maid that is not betrothed, and lie INT: who is not engaged and lies must Deuteronomy 20:7 Deuteronomy 22:23 Deuteronomy 22:25 Deuteronomy 22:27 Deuteronomy 22:28 Deuteronomy 28:30 2 Samuel 3:14 Hosea 2:19 Hosea 2:19 Hosea 2:20 11 Occurrences |
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