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עֶרְוָה

𐤏𐤓𐤅𐤄

ʻervâh

H6172 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ערה to uncover, lay bare, expose, empty

Definition

Nakedness; the state of being uncovered, particularly of the body. Most often refers to physical nakedness, especially exposure of the genitalia, with implications for modesty or sexual boundaries. By extension, can denote the exposure of private or vulnerable matters, and metaphorically represents shame, dishonor, or indecency. In legal and ritual contexts, 'ʻervâh' is closely associated with prohibited sexual relations, unlawful exposure, or improper conduct connected to sexuality or ritual impurity.

Semantic Range

nakedness (especially genital), exposure (literal or metaphorical), shame, indecency, sexual transgression, legal or ritual impurity, vulnerability, disgrace

Root / Etymology

From the root ערה, which primarily means 'to uncover, lay bare, empty.' The noun 'עֶרְוָה' is derived as a substantive form indicating the state or result of being uncovered, specifically nudity, and developed extended meanings related to exposure and disgrace.

Historical & Contextual Notes

'עֶרְוָה' is a technical term in biblical Hebrew, especially in legal passages (e.g., Leviticus 18, 20; Deuteronomy 23:15 [23:14 Eng.]), often denoting the limits of permitted and forbidden sexual relations by reference to 'uncovering the nakedness' of a relative. In these contexts, it functions as a euphemism for sexual intercourse or genital exposure. Outside legal texts, 'ʻervâh' may refer generally to nakedness (Genesis 9:22), but carries strong connotations of transgression or exposure to shame (e.g., Isaiah 47:3). The term is also used metaphorically for the exposure of what should remain hidden—whether physical, moral, or national disgrace. By the Second Temple period, the term's connotations of ritual impurity and social shame were further emphasized. English translations often flatten the term to 'nakedness' or 'shame,' but these can obscure its legal, moral, and ritual dimensions in ancient Israelite society. Related terms include חֶרְפָּה (disgrace, taunt) and בּוּשָׁה (shame), but 'ʻervâh' focuses on exposure and boundaries violated, especially in sexuality or sacred space.

Translation Consistency

primary "nakedness" 51 occurrences

Occurs overwhelmingly as 'nakedness' in the data and best captures the primary sense (physical exposure, especially genital) while naturally allowing the metaphorical senses (shame, indecency, exposure, ritual impurity). 'Nakedness' is a natural, literal English noun that fits legal, sexual, and metaphorical contexts without awkward phrasing.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"nakedness-of" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָרָה; nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish); nakedness, shame, unclean(-ness).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ערה (ʿ-r-h) — to uncover, lay bare, expose, empty

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4626 מַעַר like the exposed part of
H4629 מַעֲרֶה from an exposed pasture
H4630 מַעֲרָה bare clearings of
H4631 מְעָרָה in the cave
H4632 מְעָרָה and Mearah

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6172-02 עֶרְוַ֣ת erevat HNcfsc nakedness of nakedness of nakedness of 27
H6172-03 עֶרְוָתָֽ/הּ erevatah HNcfsc/Sp3fs her nakedness her nakedness her nakedness 12
H6172-06 עֶרְוָתֵ֔/ךְ erevatekhe HNcfsc/Sp2fs your nakedness your nakedness your nakedness 5
H6172-08 וְ/עֶרְוַ֥ת veerevat HC/Ncfsc and the nakedness and nakedness-of and nakedness-of 3
H6172-04 עֶרְוָתָֽ/ן erevatan HNcfsc/Sp3fp their nakedness their nakedness their nakedness 2
H6172-05 עֶרְוָתְ/ךָ֖ erevatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your nakedness your nakedness your nakedness 2
H6172-01 עֶרְוָ֑ה erevah HNcfsa nakedness exposed nakedness exposed nakedness 2
H6172-07 עֶרְוָת/וֹ֙ erevato HNcfsc/Sp3ms nakedness his nakedness his nakedness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

54 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6172-02 Genesis 9:22 עֶרְוַ֣ת erevat HNcfsc the nakedness nakedness of nakedness of
H6172-02 Genesis 9:23 עֶרְוַ֣ת erevat HNcfsc nakedness nakedness of nakedness of
H6172-08 Genesis 9:23 וְ/עֶרְוַ֥ת veerevat HC/Ncfsc and the nakedness and nakedness-of and nakedness-of
H6172-02 Genesis 42:9 עֶרְוַ֥ת erevat HNcfsc nakedness nakedness of nakedness of
H6172-02 Genesis 42:12 עֶרְוַ֥ת erevat HNcfsc nakedness nakedness of nakedness of
H6172-05 Exodus 20:26 עֶרְוָתְ/ךָ֖ erevatekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your nakedness your nakedness your nakedness
H6172-01 Exodus 28:42 עֶרְוָ֑ה erevah HNcfsa of nakedness exposed nakedness exposed nakedness
H6172-01 Leviticus 18:6 עֶרְוָ֑ה erevah HNcfsa nakedness exposed nakedness exposed nakedness
H6172-02 Leviticus 18:7 עֶרְוַ֥ת erevat HNcfsc nakedness nakedness of nakedness of
H6172-08 Leviticus 18:7 וְ/עֶרְוַ֥ת veerevat HC/Ncfsc or nakedness and nakedness-of and nakedness-of
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