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עֵרֶב

𐤏𐤓𐤁

ʻêreb

H6154 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ערב to mix, to mingle, to interweave

Definition

Primarily, עֵרֶב (ʻêreb) refers to a mixture or a mingling, particularly of people or groups seen as a heterogeneous assembly; secondarily, it denotes 'woof,' the cross-threads in woven fabric, signifying interlacing or mixing of threads. In certain contexts, the term can refer more specifically to a group of non-Israelite peoples associated with or living among the Israelites, often rendered 'mixed multitude.' The term can also identify regions or peoples characterized by mixed ethnicity or foreign origin, especially in post-monarchic and exilic texts.

Semantic Range

mixture, mingled group, mixed multitude (of peoples), woof (cross-thread in weaving), group of mixed ethnicity or culture, non-Israelite people living among Israelites

Root / Etymology

Root: ערב (ʿ-r-b), meaning 'to mix, mingle, intermix.' The nominal form עֵרֶב (ʻêreb) is derived directly from the root, denoting the result or product of mixing. Although the root can also produce verbs meaning 'to pledge' or 'guarantee,' this nominal form is distinct in meaning, related to mixture, not guarantee or surety.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Torah and historical books (e.g., Exodus 12:38), עֵרֶב appears in the phrase עֵרֶב רַב ('mixed multitude'), denoting non-Israelite individuals who accompanied the Israelites from Egypt—a sense emphasizing ethnically or culturally mixed groups. In exilic and post-exilic books (e.g., Nehemiah 13:3), עֵרֶב refers broadly to those of mixed descent or association with non-Israelite groups, often in a context of social or religious tension. Elsewhere (1 Kings 10:15), in its form with the article (הָעֶרֶב), editorial or scribal traditions sometimes interpreted the word as a proper noun or geographical designation, but this reading is debated and may reflect later perceptions equating mixture with specific regions (such as Arabia) or peoples. The figurative use of 'woof' (woven cross-threads) appears in Exodus 26:7 and related texts, referring to the interlacing horizontal threads in textile production, drawing on the core sense of 'mixing.' English translations occasionally attempt to equate עֵרֶב with 'Arabia' or 'Arabians' due to later interpretive traditions, but this usage is generally anachronistic for the biblical period; the Hebrew term fundamentally denotes mixture, whether of people or materials.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עֶרֶב; (1 Kings 10:15), (with the article [prefix), from עָרַב; the web (or transverse threads of cloth); also a mixture, (or mongrel race); Arabia, mingled people, mixed (multitude), woof.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערב (ʿ-r-b) — to mix, to mingle, to blend, to become evening

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1026 בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה the arid plain
H4627 מַעֲרָב in your trade-goods
H4628 מַעֲרָב the sunset-region
H6148 עָרַב he became surety
H6149 עָרֵב you were pleasing

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6154-02 הָ/עֵ֗רֶב haerev HTd/Ncmsa the woof the mingled group 8
H6154-03 בָ/עֵ֨רֶב֙ vaerev HRd/Ncmsa in the woof mingled mixture 4
H6154-01 עֵ֥רֶב erev HNcmsa mixed multitude mingling-time 2
H6154-04 בְ/עֵ֔רֶב veerev HR/Ncmsa in the woof in a mingled group 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6154-01 Exodus 12:38 עֵ֥רֶב erev HNcmsa mixed multitude mingling-time
H6154-04 Leviticus 13:48 בְ/עֵ֔רֶב veerev HR/Ncmsa in the woof in a mingled group
H6154-03 Leviticus 13:49 בָ/עֵ֨רֶב֙ vaerev HRd/Ncmsa in the woof mingled mixture
H6154-03 Leviticus 13:51 בָ/עֵ֨רֶב֙ vaerev HRd/Ncmsa in-the-woof mingled mixture
H6154-02 Leviticus 13:52 הָ/עֵ֗רֶב haerev HTd/Ncmsa the woof the mingled group
H6154-03 Leviticus 13:53 בָ/עֵ֑רֶב vaerev HRd/Ncmsa in the woof mingled mixture
H6154-02 Leviticus 13:56 הָ/עֵֽרֶב haerev HTd/Ncmsa the woof the mingled group
H6154-03 Leviticus 13:57 בָ/עֵ֨רֶב֙ vaerev HRd/Ncmsa in the woof mingled mixture
H6154-02 Leviticus 13:58 הָ/עֵ֜רֶב haerev HTd/Ncmsa the-woof the mingled group
H6154-02 Leviticus 13:59 הָ/עֵ֔רֶב haerev HTd/Ncmsa woof the mingled group
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