Definition and Etymology:
The term "Arab" in the Bible refers to a group of people and a region. The word "Arab" is derived from the Hebrew word "עֲרָב" (Arav), which means "desert" or "steppe," indicating the geographical and cultural context of the people. The Arabs are often associated with the nomadic tribes inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding areas.

Biblical References:
The Arabs are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, often in the context of trade, conflict, and alliances. They are depicted as a distinct group of people with their own customs and territories.

1. 1 Kings 10:15 · "besides what came from the merchants, the traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land." This verse highlights the economic interactions between the Israelites and the Arabians, indicating the wealth and influence of the Arabian kings during Solomon's reign.

2. 2 Chronicles 9:14 · "besides what was brought by the merchants and traders. All the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon." Similar to the account in 1 Kings, this passage underscores the trade relations and the tribute brought by the Arabian leaders to King Solomon.

3. 2 Chronicles 17:11 · "Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats." This verse illustrates the tribute and gifts brought by the Arabs to Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, reflecting their interactions and political relationships.

4. Nehemiah 4:7 · "Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious." Here, the Arabs are mentioned as part of a coalition opposing the rebuilding efforts of Jerusalem's walls, indicating their involvement in regional conflicts.

5. Isaiah 21:13 · "This is the burden against Arabia: In the thickets of Arabia you must lodge, O caravans of Dedanites." This prophecy against Arabia highlights the region's significance as a trade route and its impending judgment.

Cultural and Historical Context:
The Arabs in biblical times were primarily nomadic tribes known for their skills in trade and warfare. They inhabited the Arabian Peninsula, a vast desert region that served as a crossroads for various trade routes connecting the ancient Near East, Africa, and Asia. The Arabian tribes were known for their camels, which were essential for long-distance trade across the desert.

Interactions with Israel:
The interactions between the Israelites and the Arabs were multifaceted, involving trade, tribute, and occasional conflict. The Arabian tribes were both allies and adversaries at different times, reflecting the complex political landscape of the ancient Near East.

Prophetic Significance:
The prophetic literature of the Old Testament includes oracles against Arabia, as seen in Isaiah 21:13-17 and Jeremiah 25:24. These prophecies often emphasize the transient nature of wealth and power and serve as a warning to the nations surrounding Israel.

Conclusion:
The Arabs in the Bible are depicted as a significant group with whom the Israelites had various interactions. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the interconnectedness of the ancient world and the diverse cultures that influenced the history of Israel.Arab

multiplying; sowing sedition; a window; a locust

Arab

(ambush) a city of Judah in the mountainous district, probably in the neighborhood of Hebron; mentioned only in (Joshua 15:62)

Ambush, a city in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:52), now Er-Rabiyeh. (n.) One of a swarthy race occupying Arabia, and numerous in Syria, Northern Africa, etc.ARAB

a'-rab ('arabh, "ambush"): A city in the hill country of Judah, probably the site of the ruins Er-Rabiyeh South of Hebron (Joshua 15:52).

ARAB; ARABIANS

ar'-ab, a-ra'-bi-ans. See ARABIA.

690b. Araps -- an Arab
... Araps. 691 . an Arab. Transliteration: Araps Short Definition: Arabs. Word Origin
from Arabia Definition an Arab NASB Word Usage Arabs (1). 690a, 690b. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/690b.htm - 5k

688. Arabia -- Arabia, a peninsula of Asia near Africa
... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Arab Definition Arabia, a peninsula of Asia near
Africa NASB Word Usage Arabia (2). Arabia. ... see HEBREW Arab. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/688.htm - 6k

690. Araps -- unsewn, ie without seam
... Arabian. From Arabia; an Arab or native of Arabia -- Arabian. see GREEK Arabia.
(arabes) -- 1 Occurrence. 689, 690. Araps. 690a . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/690.htm - 5k

1681. Elumas -- Elymas, a magician
... Word Origin of Aramaic or Arab. origin Definition Elymas, a magician NASB Word Usage
Elymas (1). Elymas. Of foreign origin; Elymas, a wizard -- Elymas. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1681.htm - 6k

694. Arab -- a city in Palestine
... Arab. 695 . a city in Palestine. Transliteration: Arab Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-awb') Short Definition: Arab. Word Origin from arab Definition a city in Pal. ...
/hebrew/694.htm - 6k

6152. Arab -- "steppe-dwellers," a country East of Isr.
... 6151, 6152. Arab. 6152a . "steppe-dwellers," a country East of Isr.
Transliteration: Arab Phonetic Spelling: (ar-awb') Short Definition: Arabia. Arabia ...
/hebrew/6152.htm - 5k

6151. arab -- to mix
... 6150, 6151. arab. 6152 . to mix. Transliteration: arab Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-ab') Short Definition: combine. ... see HEBREW arab. 6150, 6151. arab. 6152 . ...
/hebrew/6151.htm - 6k

6150. arab -- to become evening, grow dark
... 6149, 6150. arab. 6151 . to become evening, grow dark. Transliteration: arab
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rab') Short Definition: close. ... see HEBREW arab. ...
/hebrew/6150.htm - 6k

6155. arab -- (a kind of tree) perhaps poplar, also a wadi in Moab
arab or arabah. 6154b, 6155. arab or arabah. 6156 . (a kind of tree)
perhaps poplar, also a wadi in Moab. Transliteration: arab ...
/hebrew/6155.htm - 6k

6149. arab -- to be sweet or pleasing
... 6148, 6149. arab. 6150 . to be sweet or pleasing. Transliteration: arab Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-rabe') Short Definition: pleasing. ... see HEBREW arab. 6148, ...
/hebrew/6149.htm - 6k

6152b. Arab -- "a desert plateau," a country East of Isr.
... 6152a, 6152b. Arab. 6153 . "a desert plateau," a country East of Isr.
Transliteration: Arab Short Definition: Arabia. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6152b.htm - 5k

6148. arab -- to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange
... arab. 6149 . to take on pledge, give in pledge, exchange. Transliteration: arab
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rab') Short Definition: associate. ... arab. 6149 . ...
/hebrew/6148.htm - 6k

701. Arbi -- a native of Arab
... a native of Arab. Transliteration: Arbi Phonetic Spelling: (ar-bee') Short Definition:
Arbite. ... Arbite. Patrial from 'Arab; an Arbite or native of Arab -- Arbite. ...
/hebrew/701.htm - 6k

693. arab -- to lie in wait
... 692, 693. arab. 694 . to lie in wait. Transliteration: arab Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-rab') Short Definition: ambush. Word Origin a prim. ... 692, 693. arab. 694 ...
/hebrew/693.htm - 6k

The Angel of Death
... While he was binding the saddle of sheep's wool about the Arab's narrow girth he
was surprised to find that the friendly son of Judah had followed him to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xli the angel of.htm

False Civilization
... They kept their old simple Arab customs, living in their great black camels' hair
tents, feeding their flocks and herds, as they wandered from forest to forest ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

Expatriation
... Three mounted soldiers leading a score of horses passed. The Arab in the copse whinnied
softly. ... After a moment he sat up and looked for the Arab. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlii expatriation.htm

It was Near the Middle Hour of the Night. ...
... Leaping from his couch, he struck down a slave and ordered his crucifixion. It was
a luckless Arab, who many times had unwittingly offended his master. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 8 it was near.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... Crowding at the gates were gladiators from Greece and Rome; Arab chiefs upon camels,
with horses trained for the race; troops of rich men with armed retainers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

Chapter xxv
... These, now, who are here listed are the fathers of Arab tribes who leave southern
Palestine and migrate to the east, the southeast and the south. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Hobab
... Hobab. Probably he was a man of about the same age as Moses, his brother-
in-law, and a son of Jethro, a wily Kenite, a Bedouin Arab. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/hobab.htm

Abbott -- the Divinity in Humanity
... In every street Arab is a possible Sir Gibbie; and MacDonald has seen the possible
and shown us what Christianity may make out of a street Arab. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/abbott the divinity in.htm

A Great Question and Its Answer
... The old Arab right of claiming hospitality of the Sheikh into whose tent the fugitive
ran is used in Scripture over and over again to express the relation in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a great question and its.htm

A Bottle in the Smoke
... It is the poverty of the Arab that puts his bottle in the smoke; so the poverty
of Christians exposes them to much trouble, and inasmuch as God's people are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a bottle in the smoke.htm

Arab (5 Occurrences)
...ARAB. a'-rab ('arabh, "ambush"): A city in the hill country of Judah, probably the
site of the ruins Er-Rabiyeh South of Hebron (Joshua 15:52). ARAB; ARABIANS. ...
/a/arab.htm - 8k

Balm (7 Occurrences)
... It was celebrated for its medicinal qualities, and was circulated as an
article of merchandise by Arab and Phoenician merchants. ...
/b/balm.htm - 14k

Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... times emptying itself into the Persian Gulf, which in past centuries extended much
farther inland than now, it at present joins the Shattel-Arab at Mohammerah. ...
/e/elamites.htm - 39k

Damascus (58 Occurrences)
... side, by the desert, its well-watered and fertile Ghuta, with its streams and fountains,
its fields and orchards, makes a vivid impression on the Arab of the ...
/d/damascus.htm - 45k

Elam (24 Occurrences)
... times emptying itself into the Persian Gulf, which in past centuries extended much
farther inland than now, it at present joins the Shattel-Arab at Mohammerah. ...
/e/elam.htm - 48k

Joktan (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Little, the second of the two sons of Eber (Genesis
10:25; 1 Chronicles 1:19). There is an Arab tradition that Joktan (Arab. ...
/j/joktan.htm - 8k

Fly (33 Occurrences)
... The Jewish commentators regarded the Hebrew word here as connected with the word
'arab, which means "mingled;" and they accordingly supposed the plague to ...
/f/fly.htm - 26k

Tent (333 Occurrences)
... There seems to be little doubt about the antiquity of the Arab tent, and one can
rightly believe that-the dwelling-places of Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, and their ...
/t/tent.htm - 48k

Phasiron
... fas'-i-ron (Codex Alexandrinus Phasiron; Codex Vaticanus Phaseiron, V, Pharison):
The name of an unknown Arab tribe whom Jonathan overcame in the wilderness ...
/p/phasiron.htm - 6k

Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... cleared, and the work of the old-world agriculturists remains in gigantic banks
of stones built along the edges of the patches they cultivated" (Arab and Druze ...
/t/trachonitis.htm - 13k

Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other? | GotQuestions.org

Should Israel be building settlements in the occupied territories, i.e., the West Bank and East Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.org

Arab: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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