עֶרֶשׂ
𐤏𐤓𐤔
ʻeres
H6210 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A bed or couch, typically understood as an elevated or constructed sleeping place; in most contexts, the term refers to a physical bed or resting place, sometimes with an implication of distinction or status (e.g., canopied or stately beds). The word may refer to beds used by individuals in domestic settings, by royalty, or in poetic/metaphorical contexts to indicate rest or sleep.
Semantic Range
bed, couch, canopied bed, bed of honor, bed of luxury, resting place, bier (in poetic contexts)
Root / Etymology
Likely derived from an unused root ע-ר-ש (etymology uncertain; no directly attested root in Biblical Hebrew). The form and comparative evidence suggest a root associated with lying down or reclining, but this is not confirmed by extant Semitic cognates. Related in function to other Hebrew words for bed, but not clearly connected etymologically to them.
Historical & Contextual Notes
עֶרֶשׂ (ʻeres) appears in poetic or elevated prose contexts, often designating a bed of distinction—sometimes associated with royalty (e.g., Ezek 23:41), luxury (Amos 6:4), or death (Ps 6:7), rather than an ordinary mat or pallet. In parallel poetic use, it may function alongside or in contrast with terms like מִשְׁכָּב (miškāv, general bed or place of lying) or יְצוּעַ (yetzu‘a, couch, bed), occasionally conveying different nuances (luxury, rest, or even the setting of danger). In later periods, Aramaic and post-biblical Hebrew continue to use related forms, generally for an ornate or significant bed. English translations often render the term simply as “bed” or “couch,” which can obscure underlying associations with status or luxury suggested in several biblical contexts. Post-biblical tradition sometimes associates the word with the beds of the wealthy or powerful, possibly influenced by ancient Near Eastern furniture and room arrangements.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning perhaps to arch; a couch (properly, with a canopy); bed(-stead), couch.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ערש (ʿ-r-š) — to lie down, to arrange for rest
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6210-06 |
עֶ֣רֶשׂ | eres | HNcfsc |
bed | resting-bed of | 3 |
H6210-03 |
עַרְשִׂ֥/י | aresi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my couch | my resting-bed | 3 |
H6210-04 |
עַרְשׂ/וֹ֙ | areso | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his bed | his resting-bed | 1 |
H6210-05 |
עַרְשׂוֹתָ֑/ם | aresotam | HNcfpc/Sp3mp |
their couches | their beds | 1 |
H6210-02 |
עַרְשֵׂ֖/נוּ | aresenu | HNcfsc/Sp1cp |
our bed | our resting-bed | 1 |
H6210-01 |
עָֽרֶשׂ | ares | HNcfsa |
couch | resting-bed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6210-04 |
Deuteronomy 3:11 | עַרְשׂ/וֹ֙ | areso | HNcfsc/Sp3ms |
his bed | his resting-bed |
H6210-06 |
Deuteronomy 3:11 | עֶ֣רֶשׂ | eres | HNcfsc |
bed | resting-bed of |
H6210-01 |
Amos 3:12 | עָֽרֶשׂ | ares | HNcfsa |
couch | resting-bed |
H6210-05 |
Amos 6:4 | עַרְשׂוֹתָ֑/ם | aresotam | HNcfpc/Sp3mp |
their couches | their beds |
H6210-03 |
Psalms 6:7 | עַרְשִׂ֥/י | aresi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my couch | my resting-bed |
H6210-06 |
Psalms 41:4 | עֶ֣רֶשׂ | eres | HNcfsc |
bed | resting-bed of |
H6210-06 |
Psalms 132:3 | עֶ֥רֶשׂ | eres | HNcfsc |
the couch | resting-bed of |
H6210-03 |
Proverbs 7:16 | עַרְשִׂ֑/י | aresi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my couch | my resting-bed |
H6210-03 |
Job 7:13 | עַרְשִׂ֑/י | aresi | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my bed | my resting-bed |
H6210-02 |
Song of Songs 1:16 | עַרְשֵׂ֖/נוּ | aresenu | HNcfsc/Sp1cp |
our bed | our resting-bed |