← H698 H700 →

אֲרֻבָּה

𐤀𐤓𐤁𐤄

ʼărubbâh

H699 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אָרַב to lie in wait, to ambush, to lurk

Definition

An opening or aperture in a wall or roof, typically designed for ventilation, light, or passage of smoke, water, or birds; can designate a lattice, window, chimney, dovecote, or sluice according to context. The semantic range includes both functional architectural features (such as windows or vents) and specific utility features (such as bird entrances or outlets for water or smoke).

Semantic Range

lattice; window; ventilation opening; chimney/aperture for smoke; outlet for water/sluice; dove entrance/dovecote; metaphorical opening in heaven (for rain or divine action)

Root / Etymology

Root: ארב (to lie in wait, ambush). While some have connected אֲרֻבָּה (ʼărubbâh) to this root on the basis of the concept of lurking or hiding (as one hides behind a lattice or opening), the exact morphological relationship is uncertain. The noun form most likely emerged as a designation for an architectural opening, but its derivation from the root is not straightforward and is considered debated among scholars.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, אֲרֻבָּה appears in contexts describing architectural or constructed openings, such as latticed windows (Judg 5:28; Prov 7:6), outlets for water (Gen 7:11; 8:2—'the windows of the heavens'), and features associated with homes (2 Kgs 13:17). In poetic and narrative passages, 'windows of the heavens' metaphorically express channels through which rainfall or other divine action is released (common in Flood and drought imagery). The term's use for physical household features, such as latticed windows or vents, illustrates domestic architecture in ancient Israel, where such openings provided light, ventilation, and means of surveillance or egress. Later translations sometimes render אֲרֻבָּה as 'chimney' or 'sluice,' reflecting additional functional readings, especially in post-biblical contexts, but these are interpretive expansions. Distinct from חַלּוֹן (ḥallôn, 'window' in the sense of a standard house window), אֲרֻבָּה often connotes a smaller or more functional opening. English renderings as 'window' may overlook the specific architectural and contextual nuances present in Hebrew usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine participle passive of אָרַב (as if for lurking); a lattice; (by implication) a window, dovecot (because of the pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water); chimney, window.

Bantu Hebrew

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

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ארב (ʾ-r-b) — to lie in wait, to ambush, to lurk

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3993 מַאֲרָב in ambush of
H693 אָרַב I lay in wait
H694 אֲרָב Arav
H696 אֹרֶב his ambush
H698 אׇרֳבָה ambush-sites of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H699-01 אֲרֻבּוֹת֙ arubot HNcfpa windows apertures 4
H699-05 וַ/אֲרֻבֹּ֥ת vaarubot HC/Ncfpc and the floodgates and apertures of 2
H699-04 מֵ/אֲרֻבָּֽה mearubah HR/Ncfsa from a window from an aperture 1
H699-02 אֲרֻבֹּתֵי/הֶֽם aruboteyhem HNcfpc/Sp3mp their windows their lurking-openings 1
H699-03 בָּ/אֲרֻבּֽוֹת baarubot HRd/Ncfpa through the windows in the openings 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H699-05 Genesis 7:11 וַ/אֲרֻבֹּ֥ת vaarubot HC/Ncfpc and the floodgates and apertures of
H699-05 Genesis 8:2 וַֽ/אֲרֻבֹּ֖ת vaarubot HC/Ncfpc and the windows and apertures of
H699-01 2 Kings 7:2 אֲרֻבּוֹת֙ arubot HNcfpa windows apertures
H699-01 2 Kings 7:19 אֲרֻבּוֹת֙ arubot HNcfpa windows apertures
H699-01 Isaiah 24:18 אֲרֻבּ֤וֹת arubot HNcfpa windows apertures
H699-02 Isaiah 60:8 אֲרֻבֹּתֵי/הֶֽם aruboteyhem HNcfpc/Sp3mp their windows their lurking-openings
H699-04 Hosea 13:3 מֵ/אֲרֻבָּֽה mearubah HR/Ncfsa from a window from an aperture
H699-01 Malachi 3:10 אֲרֻבּ֣וֹת arubot HNcfpc windows apertures
H699-03 Ecclesiastes 12:3 בָּ/אֲרֻבּֽוֹת baarubot HRd/Ncfpa through the windows in the openings
← H698 Hebrew Lexicon H700 →