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אֲרֻחָה

𐤀𐤓𐤇𐤄

ʼăruchâh

H737 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ארח to arrange, set in order, prepare

Definition

A prescribed portion or provision, often referencing a set amount of food; a fixed or allotted ration, meal, or supply, particularly used in contexts of regular sustenance or provision. The term may refer to an established allocation of food or resources, sometimes as an official ration provided to individuals (e.g., members of a royal court, laborers).

Semantic Range

prescribed portion, ration, allocated meal, official allowance, regular provision, supply of food

Root / Etymology

From the root אָרַח (ʼ-r-ch), meaning 'to arrange, set in order, set a path.' The noun derives from the sense of arranging or organizing an allotment, here applied to tangible provision, especially food.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֲרֻחָה occurs rarely and almost exclusively in contexts referencing the official provision or distribution of food. For example, in 2 Kings 25:30 and Jeremiah 52:34, the word refers to the daily allowance granted to Jehoiachin, former king of Judah, by the Babylonian king—explicitly denoting a regular, regulated supply for sustenance. The term differs from other Hebrew words for 'food' (e.g., לֶחֶם, meaning 'bread' or food in general), as אֲרֻחָה emphasizes the aspect of organization or rationing, rather than edible substance alone. In later periods and post-biblical texts, its usage did not notably expand beyond this administrative or official sense. Some English translations render the sense as 'victuals,' 'allowance,' or 'ration,' each capturing facets of the word's meaning but not distinguishing it from more general terms for food. The term does not carry religious or cultic significance and is not used for communal or festival meals. Notably, its occurrence is associated with the exile and post-exilic settings where bureaucratic organization of food provision is highlighted.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine passive participle of אָרַח (in the sense of appointing); a ration of food; allowance, diet, dinner, victuals.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ארח (ʾ-r-ḥ) — arrange, set in order, prepare

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H732 אָרַח the journeying one
H733 אָרַח Arach
H734 אֹרַח your journey-path
H735 אֹרַח your paths
H736 אֹרְחָה journeying caravan of

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H737-02 אֲרֻחַ֨ת aruchat HNcfsc allowance prescribed ration of 3
H737-03 וַ/אֲרֻחָת֗/וֹ vaaruchato HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and-his-allowance and his allotted ration 2
H737-01 אֲרֻחָ֥ה aruchah HNcfsa ration prescribed ration 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H737-03 2 Kings 25:30 וַ/אֲרֻחָת֗/וֹ vaaruchato HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and-his-allowance and his allotted ration
H737-02 2 Kings 25:30 אֲרֻחַ֨ת aruchat HNcfsc allowance prescribed ration of
H737-01 Jeremiah 40:5 אֲרֻחָ֥ה aruchah HNcfsa ration prescribed ration
H737-03 Jeremiah 52:34 וַ/אֲרֻחָת֗/וֹ vaaruchato HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and-his-allowance and his allotted ration
H737-02 Jeremiah 52:34 אֲרֻחַת֩ aruchat HNcfsc allowance prescribed ration of
H737-02 Proverbs 15:17 אֲרֻחַ֣ת aruchat HNcfsc a meal of prescribed ration of
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