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עֹרֵב

𐤏𐤓𐤁

Orev

H6159 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ע-ר-ב to be dark, mix, evening, raven (the bird)

Definition

Proper name referring primarily to a Midianite leader defeated by Israelite forces under Gideon and a geographic designation for the rocky area or gorge near the Jordan River where he was killed. In most biblical contexts, 'Oreb' serves as a personal name, later extended to denote the place of his death.

Semantic Range

a personal name (Midianite leader), a toponym or place name (the place of his death), shares form with common noun for 'raven' (but as a proper name, lacks literal animal reference)

Root / Etymology

From the root ע-ר-ב (עָרֵב), which commonly means 'raven' in Hebrew; the proper name likely draws on this animal image, though the significance is uncertain and may reflect symbolic, totemic, or other narrative associations typical in Northwest Semitic personal names. The same consonantal form serves as both a common noun ('raven') and a proper noun (personal and place name).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the book of Judges (Jdg 7:25; 8:3; Ps 83:12), Oreb is a leader among the Midianite coalition opposing the early Israelite tribes; his execution at the 'rock of Oreb' resulted in the locale taking on his name, a phenomenon found elsewhere in ancient Near Eastern onomastics. The root's animal association ('raven') is not emphasized in the biblical narrative but may have held symbolic resonance in ancient Canaanite and Israelite culture; however, the text does not exploit potential puns or symbolism. English translations routinely keep the transliterated form 'Oreb', accurately reflecting proper name use and avoiding later interpretive terms. Early Rabbinic sources and later tradition do not elaborate additional meanings for this name. The usage is concentrated in Judges and a single Psalm, without evidence for usage outside these limited historiographical and poetic accounts. The form does not denote ethnicity or religion and is distinct from Israelite personal names and titles. The name should not be conflated with Israelites or biblical figures misidentified by later English translations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עוֹרֵב; the same as עֹרֵב; Oreb, the name of a Midianite and of the cliff near the Jordan; Oreb.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערב (ʿ-r-b) — darkness, mixing, evening, raven

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

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6159-02 עֹרֵ֣ב orev HNp Oreb Raven 6
H6159-01 כְּ/עֹרֵ֣ב keorev HR/Np like Oreb like Raven 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6159-02 Judges 7:25 עֹרֵ֣ב orev HNp Oreb Raven
H6159-02 Judges 7:25 עוֹרֵ֤ב orev-2 HNp Oreb Raven
H6159-02 Judges 7:25 עוֹרֵב֙ orev-3 HNp of Oreb Raven
H6159-02 Judges 7:25 עֹרֵ֣ב orev-4 HNp of Oreb Raven
H6159-02 Judges 8:3 עֹרֵ֣ב orev HNp Oreb Raven
H6159-02 Isaiah 10:26 עוֹרֵ֑ב orev HNp Oreb Raven
H6159-01 Psalms 83:12 כְּ/עֹרֵ֣ב keorev HR/Np like Oreb like Raven
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