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אֲרוּ

𐤀𐤓𐤅

ʼărûw

H718 particle

SILEX Entry

Root ארה to gather, to pluck, to bring together (root); to introduce or draw attention (particle)

Definition

An interjection used to draw attention, express surprise, or introduce an announcement; chiefly translates as 'behold!' or 'look!'. Occurs as a particle in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible, typically preceding statements or direct speech to call attention to what follows.

Semantic Range

behold!, lo!, look!, see!, attention-getting particle

Root / Etymology

Related to the root ארה (to gather, pluck), but its connection is largely morphological and not directly semantic in this interjectional use; the form is Aramaic and is probably cognate with the Hebrew אֲלוּ (alu), which functions similarly. The precise root derivation is uncertain, as the interjection functions independently of the verbal root's primary meanings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel, Ezra), אֲרוּ functions as a discourse marker to emphasize or signal an important point, very similar to the Hebrew interjection הִנֵּה (hinneh). It does not have a direct equivalent in later English that preserves the force of the exclamation; traditional translations render it as 'behold!' or 'lo!', though these are somewhat archaic in modern usage. The word serves to introduce a statement with a heightened sense of immediacy or importance. English versions occasionally omit it or use less emphatic phrases like 'now' or 'see.' The word’s usage and function remain consistent in the late biblical Aramaic period, with no significant development or change in meaning across the few attestations. There is no theological or ethnic implication in the usage; it is a neutral discourse particle.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) probably akin to אֲלוּ; lo!; behold, lo.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

ארה (ʾ-r-h) — to gather, to pluck, to bring together; to draw attention (particle use)

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H717 אָרָה I plucked
H723 אֻרְוָה feeding-stalls of
H727 אָרוֹן gathering chest of
H738 אֲרִי lions
H745 אַרְיֵה the lion

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H718-01 וַ/אֲר֗וּ vaaru AC/Tm and behold and look! 5

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H718-01 Daniel 7:2 וַ/אֲר֗וּ vaaru AC/Tm and-behold and look!
H718-01 Daniel 7:5 וַ/אֲר֣וּ vaaru AC/Tm And behold and look!
H718-01 Daniel 7:6 וַ/אֲר֤וּ vaaru AC/Tm and behold and look!
H718-01 Daniel 7:7 וַ/אֲר֣וּ vaaru AC/Tm and behold and look!
H718-01 Daniel 7:13 וַ/אֲרוּ֙ vaaru AC/Tm and behold and look!
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