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אֶרֶז

𐤀𐤓𐤆

ʼerez

H730 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ארז to be firm, to be strong

Definition

A large, evergreen coniferous tree, specifically the cedar (Cedrus libani), native to the mountains of the Levant. In the Hebrew Bible, אֶרֶז primarily denotes the cedar tree known for its durable, fragrant wood, valued for construction, decoration, and ritual use. The semantic range includes the living tree, the wood derived from it, and metaphorical uses symbolizing strength, durability, majesty, or prominence.

Semantic Range

cedar tree, cedar wood, the living cedar as a symbol of strength or prominence, processed wood for construction or ritual use, metaphor for grandeur, strength or beauty

Root / Etymology

From the root אָרַז, meaning 'to be firm, strong.' The noun אֶרֶז is derived as the name for the cedar tree, presumably based on its robust, enduring nature—particularly the tenacity of its wood and roots. However, the precise relationship between root meaning and the tree designation is somewhat speculative.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) is referenced throughout the Hebrew Bible as a symbol of quality, strength, and grandeur. Cedar wood was especially prized in antiquity for its resistance to decay, pleasant fragrance, and the great height and girth of the trees. This made it a preferred material for royal palaces, temples (including the First Temple built by Solomon), and luxury items. Use of אֶרֶז spans patriarchal narratives (Gen 6:14, the ark), royal architecture (1 Kgs 5–6), and prophetic literature where the cedar often serves as a metaphor for majesty or lofty status (Ezekiel 17:22–24, Amos 2:9). Later terminology (especially in the Septuagint and English translations) sometimes renders אֶרֶז as 'cedar,' but care should be taken, as some translations broaden the referent or use 'cedar' symbolically. There is both literal usage (the tree/wood) and metaphorical usage (prominence, beauty, or endurance). In post-exilic, Second Temple, and later Rabbinic usage, אֶרֶז becomes further entrenched as the standard term for cedar, with cultural associations of purity and ritual, e.g., Numbers 19:6 (cedar wood in ritual purification).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ארז (ʾ-r-z) — firmness, strength, durability

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H729 אָרַז cedar-built ones
H731 אַרְזָה cedar paneling

Word Forms

19 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H730-03 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars 27
H730-10 אֶ֔רֶז erez HNcmsa cedar cedar tree 8
H730-13 הָ/אֶ֛רֶז haerez HTd/Ncmsa the cedar the cedar 7
H730-05 אַרְזֵ֥י arezey HNcmpc the cedars cedars of 6
H730-11 הָ/אֲרָזִ֗ים haarazim HTd/Ncmpa the cedars the cedars 4
H730-04 אָֽרֶז arez HNcmsa a cedar cedar tree 3
H730-14 כַּ/אֲרָזִ֖ים kaarazim HR/Ncmpa as the cedars like cedars 2
H730-18 וָ/אָֽרֶז vaarez HC/Ncmsa and cedar cedar tree 2
H730-09 בָּ/אֶ֗רֶז baerez HRd/Ncmsa with-cedar in the cedar 2
H730-07 בָּ/אֲרָזִֽים baarazim HRd/Ncmpa in the cedars cedars 2

Occurrences in Scripture

73 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H730-10 Leviticus 14:4 אֶ֔רֶז erez HNcmsa cedar cedar tree
H730-13 Leviticus 14:6 הָ/אֶ֛רֶז haerez HTd/Ncmsa the cedar the cedar
H730-10 Leviticus 14:49 אֶ֔רֶז erez HNcmsa wood cedar tree
H730-13 Leviticus 14:51 הָ֠/אֶרֶז haerez HTd/Ncmsa the-cedar the cedar
H730-13 Leviticus 14:52 הָ/אֶ֛רֶז haerez HTd/Ncmsa the cedar the cedar
H730-10 Numbers 19:6 אֶ֛רֶז erez HNcmsa cedar cedar tree
H730-14 Numbers 24:6 כַּ/אֲרָזִ֖ים kaarazim HR/Ncmpa like cedars like cedars
H730-05 Judges 9:15 אַרְזֵ֥י arezey HNcmpc cedars cedars of
H730-03 2 Samuel 5:11 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars
H730-03 2 Samuel 7:2 אֲרָזִ֑ים arazim HNcmpa of cedars cedars
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