← H5902 H5904 →

עֵירֹם

𐤏𐤉𐤓𐤌

ʻêyrôm

H5903 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ערם to be bare, to strip, to uncover

Definition

State of lacking clothing or being without covering, often implying physical exposure or vulnerability. The term denotes literal nudity, but also functions metaphorically to indicate destitution, shame, powerlessness, or social marginalization.

Semantic Range

physical nakedness, state of being unclothed, destitution, exposure to shame or vulnerability, social marginalization; (figuratively) defenselessness or lack of protection

Root / Etymology

From the root ערם, which primarily means 'to be bare, exposed, to strip.' The noun עֵירֹם (or the variant עֵרֹם) is a nominal form derived from this root, signifying the state or condition of exposure. Though closely related to the verb, the noun consistently means 'nakedness' or 'state of being unclothed.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, עֵירֹם/עֵרֹם appears primarily in poetic and prophetic contexts. Its most basic sense is physical nakedness (e.g. Job 1:21, 'naked I came from my mother's womb'), but it also develops metaphorical nuances—conveying ideas of socioeconomic vulnerability (Job 22:6; 24:7; Ezekiel 16:7). In prophetic texts, exposing nakedness (e.g. Isaiah 20:2-4) is a symbol of humiliation or judgment. While modern English translations typically render this as 'naked' or 'nakedness,' this can understate the cultural dimension of shame and exposure implied in the ancient context. The term is distinct from עֶרְוָה (ervah), which often refers to sexual exposure or 'nakedness' as a prohibited condition, especially in legal or ritual settings; עֵירֹם refers more broadly to the state of being unclothed or unprotected, not just to sexual exposure. Over time, the term retains its emphasis on exposure, vulnerability, and public shame rather than focusing only on the absence of clothing. In post-biblical Hebrew, it similarly denotes lack of protection or resources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or עֵרֹם; from עָרַם; nudity; naked(-ness).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ערם (ʿ-r-m) — to be bare, to strip, to uncover

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4636 מַעֲרֹם their barenesses
H6174 עָרוֹם bare one
H6175 עָרוּם shrewd one
H6191 עָרַם shrewd (masculine singular)
H6192 עָרַם were heaped up

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5903-02 עֵירֹ֥ם eyrom HAamsa naked bare 4
H5903-01 עֵרֹ֥ם erom HAamsa naked bare 2
H5903-06 וְ/עֵירֹ֖ם veeyrom HC/Aamsa and-naked bare 1
H5903-04 וּ/בְ/עֵירֹ֖ם uveeyrom HC/R/Aamsa and in nakedness and in nakedness 1
H5903-03 עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם eyrumim HAampa they were naked bare ones 1
H5903-05 וְ/עֵר֖וֹם veerom HC/Aamsa or the naked naked one 1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5903-03 Genesis 3:7 עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם eyrumim HAampa they were naked bare ones
H5903-02 Genesis 3:10 עֵירֹ֥ם eyrom HAamsa I was naked bare
H5903-02 Genesis 3:11 עֵירֹ֖ם eyrom HAamsa naked bare
H5903-04 Deuteronomy 28:48 וּ/בְ/עֵירֹ֖ם uveeyrom HC/R/Aamsa and in nakedness and in nakedness
H5903-01 Ezekiel 16:7 עֵרֹ֥ם erom HAamsa naked bare
H5903-01 Ezekiel 16:22 עֵרֹ֣ם erom HAamsa naked bare
H5903-02 Ezekiel 16:39 עֵירֹ֥ם eyrom HAamsa naked bare
H5903-06 Ezekiel 18:7 וְ/עֵירֹ֖ם veeyrom HC/Aamsa and-naked bare
H5903-05 Ezekiel 18:16 וְ/עֵר֖וֹם veerom HC/Aamsa or the naked naked one
H5903-02 Ezekiel 23:29 עֵירֹ֣ם eyrom HAamsa naked bare
← H5902 Hebrew Lexicon H5904 →