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עֹרֵב

𐤏𐤓𐤁

ʻôrêb

H6158 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ערב to be dark, to mix, to grow dusky

Definition

Large, black-plumaged bird of the genus Corvus, especially Corvus corax (the common raven); in the Hebrew Bible, denotes a species of raven, characterized as an unclean bird. May also function as a collective for ravens, occasionally used with anthropomorphic or symbolic associations (e.g. as agents in narrative or as imagery).

Semantic Range

raven (Corvus corax), flock of ravens, raven as provider (in narrative), raven as symbol of desolation or wilderness, collective term for ravens

Root / Etymology

From the root ע־ר־ב (ערב), typically meaning 'to be dark, grow dark, mix.' The word עֹרֵב ('ôrêb) derives from the idea of darkness or duskiness, referencing the bird's black or dark plumage, but the term as a noun specifically designates the raven.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, עֹרֵב occurs as a designation for the raven, a large corvid known for its intelligence and scavenging habits. Ravens are classified as unclean birds among the Israelites (Leviticus 11:15; Deuteronomy 14:14) and are notable in narrative contexts—for example, the ravens that feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4, 6). The term is always generic, not denoting species beyond what is observable in the region (i.e., the common raven). The term can serve a collective sense (as in Leviticus, where it appears in the plural עֹרֵבִים) and is occasionally used in poetic or symbolic imagery, representing desolation or wilderness (Isaiah 34:11; Proverbs 30:17). English translations usually render it 'raven,' which is accurate to the zoological referent, but may obscure the symbolic or cultural weight the bird held. Greek Septuagint typically renders this as κόραξ. Later tradition, including rabbinic and Christian renderings, sometimes assign metaphorical meanings to the raven, but these are not present in the biblical texts themselves. No evidence associates the raven with distinct ethnic, geographic, or religious identities. The name's root in darkness may contribute to the bird's literary associations with wildness, mystery, or curse, but these valences are contextually determined.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עוֹרֵב; from עָרַב; a raven (from its dusky hue); raven.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערב (ʿ-r-b) — to be dark, to grow dusky, to mix

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

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6158-05 עֹרֵ֖ב orev HNcmsa raven dusky raven 3
H6158-01 הָֽ/עֹרֵ֑ב haorev HTd/Ncmsa the raven the dark-plumed raven 1
H6158-02 הָ/עֹרְבִ֣ים haorevim HTd/Ncmpa the ravens the ravens 1
H6158-06 עֹרְבֵי orevey HNcmpc ravens ravens of 1
H6158-03 כָּ/עוֹרֵֽב kaorev HRd/Ncmsa as a raven raven 1
H6158-04 לָ/עֹרֵ֗ב laorev HRd/Ncmsa for the raven to a raven 1
H6158-07 וְ/הָ/עֹרְבִ֗ים vehaorevim HC/Td/Ncmpa and-the-ravens and the ravens 1
H6158-08 וְ/עֹרֵ֖ב veorev HC/Ncmsa and raven and raven 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6158-01 Genesis 8:7 הָֽ/עֹרֵ֑ב haorev HTd/Ncmsa the raven the dark-plumed raven
H6158-05 Leviticus 11:15 עֹרֵ֖ב orev HNcmsa raven dusky raven
H6158-05 Deuteronomy 14:14 עֹרֵ֖ב orev HNcmsa raven dusky raven
H6158-02 1 Kings 17:4 הָ/עֹרְבִ֣ים haorevim HTd/Ncmpa the ravens the ravens
H6158-07 1 Kings 17:6 וְ/הָ/עֹרְבִ֗ים vehaorevim HC/Td/Ncmpa and-the-ravens and the ravens
H6158-08 Isaiah 34:11 וְ/עֹרֵ֖ב veorev HC/Ncmsa and raven and raven
H6158-05 Psalms 147:9 עֹ֝רֵ֗ב orev HNcmsa the raven dusky raven
H6158-06 Proverbs 30:17 עֹרְבֵי orevey HNcmpc ravens ravens of
H6158-04 Job 38:41 לָ/עֹרֵ֗ב laorev HRd/Ncmsa for the raven to a raven
H6158-03 Song of Songs 5:11 כָּ/עוֹרֵֽב kaorev HRd/Ncmsa as a raven raven
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