What does עָרַם mean in the Bible?
עָרַם is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to be (or make ) bare ; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)".
Hebrew · H6191
עָרַם
Properly, to be (or make ) bare ; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)
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עָרַם H6191
What does עָרַם mean in the Bible?
עָרַם is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to be (or make ) bare ; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)".
Full entry for עָרַם (H6191) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6191?
The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include . . . (1), in their craftiness (1), is extremely cunning (1), is prudent (1), will beware (1).
Where does עָרַם appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Samuel 23:22. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Samuel (2), Proverbs (2), Job (1), Psalms (1).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It . . . 1× 1 Samuel 23:22
in their craftiness 1× Job 5:13
is extremely cunning 1× 1 Samuel 23:22
is prudent 1× Proverbs 15:5
will beware 1× Proverbs 19:25
With cunning 1× Psalms 83:3
Show sample aligned rows
1 Samuel 23:22 עָר֥וֹם to is extremely cunning Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute 1 Samuel 23:22 יַעְרִ֖ם to . . . Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Job 5:13 בְּעָרְמָ֑ם to in their craftiness Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural Psalms 83:3 יַעֲרִ֣ימוּ to With cunning Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Proverbs 15:5 יַעְרִֽם׃ to is prudent Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Proverbs 19:25 יַעְרִ֑ם to will beware Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row 1 Samuel 23:22
Aligned rows 6
Books represented 4
1 Samuel 2 Job 1 Psalms 1 Proverbs 2
Source forms
בְּעָרְמָ֑ם 1x bə·‘ā·rə·mām Job 5:13
יַעֲרִ֣ימוּ 1x ya·‘ă·rî·mū Psalms 83:3
יַעְרִ֖ם 1x ya‘·rim 1 Samuel 23:22
יַעְרִ֑ם 1x ya‘·rim Proverbs 19:25
יַעְרִֽם׃ 1x ya‘·rim Proverbs 15:5
עָר֥וֹם 1x ‘ā·rō·wm 1 Samuel 23:22
Parsing patterns
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular 3x 1 Samuel 23:22, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 19:25
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural 1x Job 5:13
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural 1x Psalms 83:3
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute 1x 1 Samuel 23:22
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. properly, to be (or make ) bare ; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)
Source Gloss
properly, to be (or make ) bare ; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense)
Extended definition Source: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense) BDB: be shrewd Usage: × very, beware, take crafty (counsel), be prudent, deal subtilly.
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 groups 2 Aligned forms 5
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 4×
Imperfect 1Sam 23:22 · Prov 15:5 · Prov 19:25 3×
Infinitive absolute 1Sam 23:22 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 1×
Imperfect Ps 83:4 1×
Word Origins
עָרַם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
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.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain