What does עָרַב (arab) mean in the Bible?
עָרַב (arab): Core image of interweaving underlies pledging, trading, and becoming entangled in another's obligation or debt.
Hebrew · H6148
עָרַב
To braid , i.e. intermix ; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
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עָרַבH6148
Pronunciationarab
What does עָרַב (arab) mean in the Bible?
עָרַב (arab): Core image of interweaving underlies pledging, trading, and becoming entangled in another's obligation or debt.
Full entry for עָרַב (H6148) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6148?
The BSB source-word alignment has 22 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include make a bargain (2), and puts up security (1), are mortgaging (1), associate (1), avoid (1).
Where does עָרַב (arab) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 43:9. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (9), Ezekiel (2), Genesis (2), Isaiah (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itmake a bargain2×2 Kings 18:23, Isaiah 36:8
and puts up security1×Proverbs 17:18
are mortgaging1×Nehemiah 5:3
associate1×Proverbs 24:21
avoid1×Proverbs 20:19
be my security1×Isaiah 38:14
but they mingled1×Psalms 106:35
Ensure1×Psalms 119:122
guaranteed1×Genesis 44:32
has been mixed1×Ezra 9:2
He who puts up security1×Proverbs 11:15
posts security1×Proverbs 27:13
shares1×Proverbs 14:10
the pledge1×Job 17:3
to barter for1×Ezekiel 27:9
who posts security1×Proverbs 20:16
who puts up security1×Proverbs 22:26
will guarantee his safety1×Genesis 43:9
would dare1×Jeremiah 30:21
you have put up security1×Proverbs 6:1
your merchants1×Ezekiel 27:27
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 43:9אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּtowill guarantee his safetyVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singularGenesis 44:32עָרַ֣בtoguaranteedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular2 Kings 18:23הִתְעָ֣רֶבtomake a bargainVerb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singularEzra 9:2וְהִתְעָֽרְבוּ֙tohas been mixedConjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralNehemiah 5:3עֹרְבִ֑יםtoare mortgagingVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralJob 17:3עָרְבֵ֣נִיtothe pledgeVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singularPsalms 106:35וַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּtobut they mingledConjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralPsalms 119:122עֲרֹ֣בtoEnsureVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularProverbs 6:1עָרַ֣בְתָּtoyou have put up securityVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularProverbs 11:15עָ֣רַבtoHe who puts up securityVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 43:9
Aligned rows22
Books represented10
Genesis22 Kings1Ezra1Nehemiah1Job1Psalms2Proverbs9Isaiah2Jeremiah1Ezekiel2
Source forms
עָ֣רַב3x‘ā·raḇProverbs 11:15, Proverbs 20:16, Proverbs 27:13
הִתְעָ֣רֶב2xhiṯ·‘ā·reḇ2 Kings 18:23, Isaiah 36:8
אֶֽעֶרְבֶ֔נּוּ1x’e·‘er·ḇen·nūGenesis 43:9
בַּ֝עֹרְבִ֗ים1xba·‘ō·rə·ḇîmProverbs 22:26
וְהִתְעָֽרְבוּ֙1xwə·hiṯ·‘ā·rə·ḇūEzra 9:2
וַיִּתְעָרְב֥וּ1xway·yiṯ·‘ā·rə·ḇūPsalms 106:35
וְֽעֹרְבֵ֣י1xwə·‘ō·rə·ḇêEzekiel 27:27
יִתְעָ֥רַב1xyiṯ·‘ā·raḇProverbs 14:10
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular5xGenesis 44:32, Proverbs 11:15, Proverbs 20:16, Proverbs 27:13
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular2x2 Kings 18:23, Isaiah 36:8
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular2xProverbs 20:19, Proverbs 24:21
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular2xJob 17:3, Isaiah 38:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural1xEzra 9:2
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural1xPsalms 106:35
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct1xEzekiel 27:27
Preposition-b, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural1xProverbs 22:26
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Core image of interweaving underlies pledging, trading, and becoming entangled in another's obligation or debt.
Strong'sH6148
Lexical occurrences23 versesWord forms2 forms15 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkProverbs 11:15Source Gloss
to braid , i.e. intermix ; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Core image of interweaving underlies pledging, trading, and becoming entangled in another's obligation or debt.
to braid, i.e. intermix; technically, to traffic (as if by barter); also or give to be security (as a kind of exchange) BDB: take on pledge Usage: engage, (inter-) meddle (with), mingle (self), mortgage, occupy, give pledges, be(-come, put in) surety, undertake.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups2Aligned forms15
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense10×
PerfectGen 44:32 · Jer 30:21 · Prov 11:15 · Prov 20:16 · Prov 27:13 · Prov 6:16×
Participle activeNeh 5:3 · Prov 17:182×
ImperfectHos 9:41×
Sequential imperfectPs 119:1221×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others5×
Sequential imperfect2Kgs 18:23 · Isa 36:82×
ImperfectProv 14:10 · Prov 20:192×
JussiveProv 24:211×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
to pledge or guarantee another person's obligation
to pledge or guarantee another person's obligation
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 23 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
עָרַב is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
The term refers to assuming legal responsibility for another person's debt.Proverbs 11:15
The passage warns against becoming financially responsible for another person's debt.Proverbs 6:1-5
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.