עָר
𐤏𐤓
Ar
H6144 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating a specific city in the region of Moab, referenced as 'Ar' in biblical texts. The term functions as a place name rather than a generic term for 'city.' While it is related etymologically to the Hebrew word for 'city' (עִיר, ‘îr), in usage עָר refers uniquely to this particular Moabite settlement. It appears in narrative and geographical contexts, describing a significant urban center in ancient Moab.
Semantic Range
(proper noun) Ar, a city in Moab; (rare) possible reference to fortified place or town (as place name); not used generically for 'city' in Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root ע-י-ר, meaning 'to be awake, to arouse'; but as a noun, עִיר ('îr) commonly signifies 'city.' The proper noun עָר (‘Âr) is formed identically but is employed as a toponym, naming a particular Moabite city. The root thus denotes 'city,' but in this form, it is distinct from the generic noun due to its proper noun status.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עָר appears specifically as the name of a noteworthy Moabite city (Numbers 21:15,28; Isaiah 15:1), not as a common noun. The use of עָר as a toponym is attested in narratives concerning Israelite-Moabite interactions. Unlike the generic עִיר (‘îr, 'city'), which refers to any urban center, עָר is only used for this place. In English versions, the name is often left untranslated or simply rendered 'Ar.' In some translation traditions, it may be misunderstood or conflated with the word for 'city,' but context clarifies its reference to a specific location. There is no evidence that the ancient Moabite inhabitants of Ar were Israelites; the city is distinctly Moabite in the biblical record. Later Jewish or Christian interpreters have sometimes blended the meanings due to the shared root form, but the ancient usage maintains its proper noun distinction.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
the same as עִיר; a city; Ar, a place in Moab; Ar.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עיר (ʿ-y-r) — to be awake, to arouse; city, town
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H215 | אוֹר | the fortified settlement |
| H5892 | עִיר | my cities |
| H5900 | עִירוּ | Iru City-man |
| H5901 | עִירִי | and City-Dweller |
| H5902 | עִירָם | Iram |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6144-01 |
עָ֑ר | ar | HNp |
Ar | Ar | 5 |
H6144-02 |
בְּ/עָ֑ר | bear | HR/Np |
in Ar | in Ar | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6144-01 |
Numbers 21:15 | עָ֑ר | ar | HNp |
of Ar | Ar |
H6144-01 |
Numbers 21:28 | עָ֣ר | ar | HNp |
Ar | Ar |
H6144-01 |
Deuteronomy 2:9 | עָ֖ר | ar | HNp |
Ar | Ar |
H6144-01 |
Deuteronomy 2:18 | עָֽר | ar | HNp |
Ar | Ar |
H6144-02 |
Deuteronomy 2:29 | בְּ/עָ֑ר | bear | HR/Np |
in Ar | in Ar |
H6144-01 |
Isaiah 15:1 | עָ֤ר | ar | HNp |
Ar | Ar |