אֶרֶג
𐤀𐤓𐤂
ʼereg
H708 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A device or product related to weaving, specifically referring either to a woven braid or cord, or to the shuttle or beam used in weaving textiles. The primary lexical meaning is connected with the practice of weaving, particularly the implements or the result of the action.
Semantic Range
woven product (braid, cord), shuttle (loom implement), beam (loom part); weaving, woven object, weaver's tool
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root אָרַג (׳ארג׳), meaning 'to weave.' The word אֶרֶג is a noun form that derives from the root and denotes either that which is produced by weaving (e.g., a braid or woven object) or the tool used in the process (e.g., a shuttle or a beam in a loom). The formation fits a common nominal pattern for instruments or products associated with the root action.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term אֶרֶג appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in contexts describing the materials or implements involved in textile production (e.g., the 'beam' or 'shuttle' of a loom). The practice of weaving held economic and domestic importance in ancient Israelite society, and this noun reflects both the technology (tools) and craft outcome (braids, cords) of that activity. The English translation as 'beam' or 'shuttle' represents only a part of the range: the word may also denote the woven product (such as a plait or braid) itself. There is some ambiguity in later interpreters and translators about whether 'beam' or 'shuttle' is intended; both are essential parts of the ancient loom. English 'weaver's shuttle' or 'beam' may obscure the word's connection to the product of weaving (the braid/cord) itself. No strict distinction is made in biblical usage; context determines whether the implement or the product is in view. In Rabbinic and later Hebrew, the term retained association with weaving implements or woven elements. Related terms such as מַסֶּכֶת (massekhet, 'web, woven cloth') focus more on the fabric, while אֶרֶג highlights the mechanistic or developmental aspect of weaving, either as object or instrument.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָרַג; a weaving; a braid; also a shuttle; beam, weaver's shuttle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארג (ʾ-r-g) — to weave, to intertwine, to interlace, to fabricate by weaving
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H708-02 |
הָ/אֶ֖רֶג | haereg | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the loom | the weaving-implement | 1 |
H708-01 |
אָ֑רֶג | areg | HNcmsa |
a weaver's shuttle | woven-work | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H708-02 |
Judges 16:14 | הָ/אֶ֖רֶג | haereg | HTd/Ncmsa |
of the loom | the weaving-implement |
H708-01 |
Job 7:6 | אָ֑רֶג | areg | HNcmsa |
a weaver's shuttle | woven-work |