What does עָרֹב (ʿārōb) mean in the Bible?
עָרֹב (ʿārōb): Swarm of insects representing divine plague; emphasizes aggressive multiplicity rather than individual threat
Hebrew · H6157
עָרֹב
A mosquito (from its swarming)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
עָרֹבH6157
Pronunciationʿārōb
What does עָרֹב (ʿārōb) mean in the Bible?
עָרֹב (ʿārōb): Swarm of insects representing divine plague; emphasizes aggressive multiplicity rather than individual threat
Full entry for עָרֹב (H6157) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6157?
The BSB source-word alignment has 9 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include swarms [of flies] (4), the swarms [of flies] (2), and insects (1), of flies (1), swarms of flies (1).
Where does עָרֹב (ʿārōb) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 8:21. Its strongest book concentrations include Exodus (7), Psalms (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 Itswarms [of flies]4×Exodus 8:21, Exodus 8:22, Exodus 8:24
the swarms [of flies]2×Exodus 8:29, Exodus 8:31
and insects1×Psalms 105:31
of flies1×Exodus 8:21
swarms of flies1×Psalms 78:45
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 8:21הֶעָרֹ֑בtoswarms [of flies]Article | Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:21הֶ֣עָרֹ֔בtoof fliesArticle | Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:22עָרֹ֑בtoswarms [of flies]Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:24עָרֹ֣בtoswarms [of flies]Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:24הֶעָרֹֽב׃toswarms [of flies]Article | Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:29הֶעָרֹ֗בtothe swarms [of flies]Article | Noun - masculine singularExodus 8:31הֶעָרֹ֔בtothe swarms [of flies]Article | Noun - masculine singularPsalms 78:45עָ֭רֹבtoswarms of fliesNoun - masculine singularPsalms 105:31עָרֹ֑בtoand insectsNoun - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 8:21
Aligned rows9
Books represented2
Exodus7Psalms2
Source forms
עָרֹ֑ב2x‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:22, Psalms 105:31
הֶעָרֹ֑ב1xhe·‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:21
הֶ֣עָרֹ֔ב1xhe·‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:21
הֶעָרֹ֗ב1xhe·‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:29
הֶעָרֹ֔ב1xhe·‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:31
הֶעָרֹֽב׃1xhe·‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:24
עָרֹ֣ב1x‘ā·rōḇExodus 8:24
עָ֭רֹב1x‘ā·rōḇPsalms 78:45
Parsing patterns
Article | Noun - masculine singular5xExodus 8:21, Exodus 8:24, Exodus 8:29, Exodus 8:31
Noun - masculine singular4xExodus 8:22, Exodus 8:24, Psalms 78:45, Psalms 105:31
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Swarm of insects representing divine plague; emphasizes aggressive multiplicity rather than individual threat
Source Gloss
a mosquito (from its swarming)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Swarm of insects representing divine plague; emphasizes aggressive multiplicity rather than individual threat
a mosquito (from its swarming) BDB: swarm Usage: divers sorts of flies, swarm.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Divine plague of insects that infest Egyptian territory and homes
Showing 1 selected witness from 9 lexical occurrence verses.