What does עׇרְמָה (ormah) mean in the Bible?
עׇרְמָה (ormah): Shrewdness that pivots between cunning deception and prudent wisdom depending on moral context and intent.
Hebrew · H6195
עׇרְמָה
עׇרְמָה (ormah): Shrewdness that pivots between cunning deception and prudent wisdom depending on moral context and intent.
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.
עׇרְמָהH6195
Pronunciationormah
What does עׇרְמָה (ormah) mean in the Bible?
Full entry for עׇרְמָה (H6195) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H6195?
The BSB source-word alignment has 5 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include . . . (1), prudence (1), schemes (1), to be shrewd (1), with prudence (1).
Where does עׇרְמָה (ormah) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Exodus 21:14. Its strongest book concentrations include Proverbs (3), Exodus (1), Joshua (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×Joshua 9:4
prudence1×Proverbs 1:4
schemes1×Exodus 21:14
to be shrewd1×Proverbs 8:5
with prudence1×Proverbs 8:12
Show sample aligned rows
Exodus 21:14בְעָרְמָ֑הtoschemesPreposition-b | Noun - feminine singularJoshua 9:4בְּעָרְמָ֔הto. . .Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singularProverbs 1:4עָרְמָ֑הtoprudenceNoun - feminine singularProverbs 8:5עָרְמָ֑הtoto be shrewdNoun - feminine singularProverbs 8:12עָרְמָ֑הtowith prudenceNoun - feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowExodus 21:14
Aligned rows5
Books represented3
Exodus1Joshua1Proverbs3
Source forms
עָרְמָ֑ה3x‘ā·rə·māhProverbs 1:4, Proverbs 8:5, Proverbs 8:12
בְעָרְמָ֑ה1xḇə·‘ā·rə·māhExodus 21:14
בְּעָרְמָ֔ה1xbə·‘ā·rə·māhJoshua 9:4
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular3xProverbs 1:4, Proverbs 8:5, Proverbs 8:12
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular2xExodus 21:14, Joshua 9:4
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Shrewdness that pivots between cunning deception and prudent wisdom depending on moral context and intent.
Source Gloss
trickery ; or (in a good sense) discretion
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Shrewdness that pivots between cunning deception and prudent wisdom depending on moral context and intent.
trickery; or (in a good sense) discretion BDB: craftiness Usage: guile, prudence, subtilty, wilily, wisdom.
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.
Old Testament Witnesses
shrewd discernment or practical insight
Showing 1 selected witness from 5 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
עׇרְמָה is built from this root:
עֹרֶםH6193
Why This Word Matters
Prudence enables wisdom to navigate complex decisions with discernment.Proverbs 8:12-21
Canonical Themes
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.