אָרַז
𐤀𐤓𐤆
ʼâraz
H729 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
To be made of cedar wood; to be constructed from cedar (Cedrus sp.), especially in reference to building materials or objects fashioned from this timber. The term appears only in passive participle forms and refers specifically to cedar as a material, highlighting quality, durability, or prestige associated with cedar wood.
Semantic Range
to be made/paneled/built of cedar, (of objects) constructed from cedar wood, (by extension) characterized by the qualities or prestige of cedar
Root / Etymology
The verb אָרַז (ʼâraz) derives from the noun אֶרֶז (ʼerez, 'cedar' or 'cedar tree'), itself of uncertain further etymology. As a denominative verb from אֶרֶז, אָרַז means 'to be made of cedar' rather than taking on the more general root meaning of firmness or strength.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb אָרַז is rare and found only in the passive participle, functioning adjectivally to indicate that a structure or object is made of cedar wood (most notably in 1 Kings 6:15–16, 2 Chronicles 3:5). Cedar was prized throughout the ancient Near East for its aromatic, durable, decay-resistant timber, making it a symbol of luxury, permanence, and honored craftsmanship. In the First Temple period, cedar was imported chiefly from Lebanon and was used in elite or sacred construction, most famously in Solomon’s temple and palace. The semantic range is narrower than cognate roots in other Semitic languages, and the form does not occur with the meaning 'to strengthen' or 'to be firm' in the Hebrew Bible. In later Hebrew, related terms for cedar remain focused on the material itself, with no development toward unrelated metaphorical senses. Standard English translations often render the participle as 'made of cedar' or 'paneled with cedar,' reflecting both the literal and situational context, but may not always convey the cultural prestige associated with cedar in the biblical world.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to be firm; used only in the passive participle as a denominative from אֶרֶז; of cedar; made of cedar.
Bantu Hebrew
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ארז (ʾ-r-z) — to be made of cedar, to be constructed from cedar wood
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H729-01 |
וַ/אֲרֻזִ֖ים | vaaruzim | HC/Aampa |
and cedars | cedar-built ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H729-01 |
Ezekiel 27:24 | וַ/אֲרֻזִ֖ים | vaaruzim | HC/Aampa |
and cedars | cedar-built ones |