עָרִיץ
𐤏𐤓𐤉𐤑
ʻârîyts
H6184 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person or force marked by overwhelming strength, power, or fear-inducing presence, often with connotations of violence or oppressive might. In usage, it refers both to individuals (such as oppressive rulers or violent men) and figuratively to circumstances or destructive forces that instill terror due to their overwhelming power.
Semantic Range
powerful, mighty, tyrannical, fearsome, violent, terrible, oppressor, agent of terror
Root / Etymology
Root/Etymology: From the root ערץ (to terrify, cause to tremble, to be awe-inspiring through force or violence). עָרִיץ is a derived adjective/noun signifying one who causes terror by the application or threat of force. The word encapsulates the result of the root's core meaning but denotes the agent or nature of that terror.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עָרִיץ describes not only human figures, like despotic rulers or oppressors (e.g., Job 6:23; Isaiah 13:11), but also destructive, impersonal forces such as natural disasters or judgment (Proverbs 11:16). The term carries the sense of danger, intimidation, and unrestrained force. In prophetic literature, it often represents the archetype of the unjust or violent adversary whose power stands in contrast to divine justice. It is broader than mere 'strength' (עֹז, oz) and specifically implies the use or threat of dominating, often violent, power that inspires dread. While English translations sometimes render it as 'mighty,' 'strong,' or 'terrible,' these do not always capture its oppressive, fear-inducing nuance. In post-biblical Hebrew, the term is rarely used and is largely confined to biblical or literary contexts. There is no direct connection to religious identity; use as a description of 'oppressors' can refer to inner-Israelite or foreign agents alike.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָרַץ; fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical; mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ערץ (ʿ-r-ts) — to terrify, to cause to tremble, to inspire dread through force
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4637 | מַעֲרָצָה | in a slaughter-place |
| H6178 | עָרוּץ | in the dread-chasm of |
| H6206 | עָרַץ | I will terrify |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6184-03 |
עָרִיצִ֖ים | aritsim | HAampa |
of tyrants | terrorizing ones | 9 |
H6184-01 |
עָרִ֖יץ | arits | HAamsa |
of the tyrant | terror-wielding one | 4 |
H6184-02 |
עָרִיצֵ֖י | aritsey | HAampc |
ruthless | terror-wielding ones of | 4 |
H6184-05 |
וְֽ֭/עָרִיצִים | vearitsim | HC/Aampa |
and violent men | and terror-wielding oppressors | 2 |
H6184-04 |
לֶ/עָרִֽיץ | learits | HRd/Aafsa |
for-the-tyrant | fearsome | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
20 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6184-03 |
Isaiah 13:11 | עָרִיצִ֖ים | aritsim | HAampa |
tyrants | terrorizing ones |
H6184-03 |
Isaiah 25:3 | עָרִיצִ֖ים | aritsim | HAampa |
ruthless | terrorizing ones |
H6184-03 |
Isaiah 25:4 | עָרִיצִ֖ים | aritsim | HAampa |
of the terrible ones | terrorizing ones |
H6184-03 |
Isaiah 25:5 | עָֽרִיצִ֖ים | aritsim | HAampa |
of the ruthless | terrorizing ones |
H6184-03 |
Isaiah 29:5 | עָֽרִיצִ֔ים | aritsim | HAampa |
of the ruthless | terrorizing ones |
H6184-01 |
Isaiah 29:20 | עָרִ֖יץ | arits | HAamsa |
the ruthless one | terror-wielding one |
H6184-01 |
Isaiah 49:25 | עָרִ֖יץ | arits | HAamsa |
of the tyrant | terror-wielding one |
H6184-03 |
Jeremiah 15:21 | עָרִצִֽים | aritsim | HAampa |
ruthless | terrorizing ones |
H6184-01 |
Jeremiah 20:11 | עָרִ֔יץ | arits | HAamsa |
terrible | terror-wielding one |
H6184-02 |
Ezekiel 28:7 | עָרִיצֵ֖י | aritsey | HAampc |
ruthless | terror-wielding ones of |