← H6167 H6169 →

עָרָה

𐤏𐤓𐤄

ʻârâh

H6168 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עֲרָה to make bare, to uncover, to empty, to pour out, to demolish

Definition

To uncover or make bare, both in a literal and figurative sense. The term can denote the physical exposure or removal of covering from a person or object, as well as the act of making something empty or devoid (pouring out contents or demolishing defenses), leaving it unprotected or desolate. Frequently employed in contexts of vulnerability (e.g., nakedness), destruction (e.g., razing cities), or the total outpouring of contents (as with a vessel or divine wrath).

Semantic Range

to uncover (physically or figuratively), to make bare, to strip (vine, land, body), to pour out (liquid, contents, wrath), to lay waste, to demolish or raze (cities, defenses), to leave destitute, to expose to danger

Root / Etymology

From the root ערה (ayin-resh-he), which primarily conveys the idea of exposure or bareness. The verb in its base form (qal) and its various binyanim (conjugations) can take on nuance, including to remove a covering, to pour out, or to demolish, with derived senses evolving through metaphorical usage of making something bare or empty. The verb may be related to similar Semitic roots indicating ‘to lay bare’ or ‘to uncover.’

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, עָרָה is attested in both literal and metaphorical contexts. Literally, it describes making something physically bare (e.g., stripping vines, exposing body parts), as in Isaiah 5:5. Metaphorically, it is used of cities or strongholds razed or made defenseless (Psalm 137:7), or of outpouring—whether of contents like water (Genesis 24:20), or emotions and wrath (Psalm 142:3 [2]). In destruction contexts, the term often parallels verbs like סָתַר (to destroy) or חָשַׂף (to uncover, strip). English translations often collapse the breadth of its meaning to “bare” or “pour out,” but this does not always capture the nuance of total exposure or devastation that the root conveys, especially in prophetic and poetic passages. The sense of uncovering, in contrast to related terms like גָּלָה (to remove, reveal), is typically negative, implying vulnerability or loss. Over time, its semantic range remained stable, primarily preserving its associations with exposure, emptiness, and destruction from the monarchic period into post-exilic literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish; leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ערה (ʿ-r-h) — to make bare, to uncover, to empty, to pour out, to demolish

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

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6168-04 הֶֽעֱרָ֔ה heerah HVhp3ms he has exposed he caused to be laid bare 3
H6168-03 עֵרָ֖ה erah HVpp3ms uncovered he stripped bare 2
H6168-02 עָ֤רוּ aru HVpv2mp strip it Strip bare! 2
H6168-10 יְעָרֶֽה yeareh HVpi3ms is poured out he will thoroughly lay bare 2
H6168-06 וּ֝/מִתְעָרֶ֗ה umiteareh HC/Vtrmsa spreading himself making himself bare 1
H6168-01 עָר֛וֹת arot HVpa laying bare bare places 1
H6168-09 וִ/יעָ֨רוּ֙ viaru HC/Vpi3mp and emptied and they will strip bare 1
H6168-08 וְ/תִתְעָרִֽי vetiteari HC/Vti2fs and you will expose yourself you will bare yourself 1
H6168-07 וַ/תְּעַ֤ר vatear HC/Vpw3fs and emptied and she stripped bare 1
H6168-05 תְּעַ֥ר tear HVpj2ms leave bare Strip utterly bare! 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6168-07 Genesis 24:20 וַ/תְּעַ֤ר vatear HC/Vpw3fs and emptied and she stripped bare
H6168-04 Leviticus 20:18 הֶֽעֱרָ֔ה heerah HVhp3ms he has exposed he caused to be laid bare
H6168-04 Leviticus 20:19 הֶעֱרָ֖ה heerah HVhp3ms he uncovers he caused to be laid bare
H6168-10 Isaiah 3:17 יְעָרֶֽה yeareh HVpi3ms will uncover he will thoroughly lay bare
H6168-03 Isaiah 22:6 עֵרָ֖ה erah HVpp3ms uncovered he stripped bare
H6168-10 Isaiah 32:15 יֵ֨עָרֶ֥ה yeareh HVNi3ms is poured out he will thoroughly lay bare
H6168-04 Isaiah 53:12 הֶעֱרָ֤ה heerah HVhp3ms he poured out he caused to be laid bare
H6168-01 Habakkuk 3:13 עָר֛וֹת arot HVpa laying bare bare places
H6168-03 Zephaniah 2:14 עֵרָֽה erah HVpp3ms will be laid bare he stripped bare
H6168-06 Psalms 37:35 וּ֝/מִתְעָרֶ֗ה umiteareh HC/Vtrmsa spreading himself making himself bare
← H6167 Hebrew Lexicon H6169 →