אֹרְחָה
𐤀𐤓𐤇𐤄
ʼôrᵉchâh
H736 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A traveling group, especially of people and animals (often pack animals such as camels or donkeys), organized for a journey, especially in the context of trade, migration, or pilgrimage. Most commonly refers to a caravan—an organized procession or company traveling together along a set route for mutual support and safety. In rarer contexts, can denote a traveling party or procession in a broader sense, distinct from routine foot traffic.
Semantic Range
traveling caravan, procession of traders or migrants, company of travelers, traveling party
Root / Etymology
From the root ארח (to travel, to follow a path, to journey). As a feminine noun, אֹרְחָה derives from the participial form denoting 'those journeying/traveling together,' thus referring to a traveling company or caravan. The root sense ('journey, travel a path') underlies the noun's reference to organized travel parties along established trade or migration routes.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Israelite society, אֹרְחָה primarily describes caravans associated with long-distance trade (e.g., spice caravans from Gilead or Arabia) or migration groups traversing arid or insecure terrain. The term typically conveys an image of organization and shared purpose—distinct from mere wanderers or isolated travelers. In Genesis 37:25, it refers to a group of merchants on a trade route, underscoring their collective travel and commerce role. Standard English renderings as 'caravan' capture the central idea but may underemphasize the context of mutual support and purpose. The term is less common outside narratives involving interregional journeys, and unlike related terms such as 'company' (חֵבֶר) or 'procession' (תַּהֲלֻכָּה), אֹרְחָה stresses the active traveling aspect over simply being numerous or organized. The social structures and dangers of overland travel in the ancient Near East help explain the word's typical associations with both commerce and the need for group solidarity. Not used for Israelite religious processions or armies but rather for those whose primary identity is as travelers, merchants, or migrants.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
feminine active participle of אָרַח; a caravan; (travelling) company.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארח (ʾ-r-ḥ) — to travel, journey, follow a path
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H732 | אָרַח | the journeying one |
| H733 | אָרַח | Arach |
| H734 | אֹרַח | your journey-path |
| H735 | אֹרַח | your paths |
| H737 | אֲרֻחָה | prescribed ration |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H736-02 |
אֹֽרְח֖וֹת | orechot | HNcfpc |
O caravans | journeying caravans of | 1 |
H736-01 |
אֹרְחַ֣ת | orechat | HNcfsc |
a caravan | journeying caravan of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H736-01 |
Genesis 37:25 | אֹרְחַ֣ת | orechat | HNcfsc |
a caravan | journeying caravan of |
H736-02 |
Isaiah 21:13 | אֹֽרְח֖וֹת | orechot | HNcfpc |
O caravans | journeying caravans of |