← H729 H731 →

אֶרֶז

𐤀𐤓𐤆

ʼerez

H730 noun

SILEX Entry

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).

Translation Consistency

primary "cedar" 23 occurrences

אֶרֶז denotes the cedar tree or cedar wood and is used both literally and metaphorically. The natural, simple English noun 'cedar' covers the living tree, its timber, and metaphorical senses (strength, majesty). Using the singular lemma 'cedar' allows consistent inflection to 'cedars' or 'cedar wood' where needed while remaining natural and accurate.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

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

Bantu Hebrew

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

Root Family

ארז (ʼâraz) — to be made of cedar, to be constructed from cedar wood

Root ארז to be firm, to be strong
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 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H730-03 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars 27
H730-10 אֶ֔רֶז erez HNcmsa cedar cedar tree cedar tree 8
H730-13 הָ/אֶ֨רֶז֙ haerez HTd/Ncmsa the cedar the cedar the cedar 7
H730-05 אַרְזֵ֣י arezey HNcmpc the cedars cedars of cedars of 6
H730-11 הָֽ/אֲרָזִ֔ים haarazim HTd/Ncmpa the cedars the cedars the cedars 4
H730-04 אָֽרֶז arez HNcmsa a cedar cedar tree cedar tree 3
H730-01 אֲרָזָי/ו֙ arazayv HNcmpc/Sp3ms cedar trees his cedars his cedars 2
H730-07 בָּ/אֲרָזִֽים baarazim HRd/Ncmpa in the cedars cedars in cedars 2
H730-09 בָּ/אֶ֗רֶז baerez HRd/Ncmsa with-cedar in the cedar with cedar 2
H730-14 כַּ/אֲרָזִ֖ים kaarazim HR/Ncmpa as the cedars like cedars like cedars 2

Occurrences in Scripture

73 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H730-06 Zechariah 11:1 בַּ/אֲרָזֶֽי/ךָ baarazeykha HR/Ncmpc/Sp2ms your cedars your cedars your cedars
H730-10 Zechariah 11:2 אֶ֔רֶז erez HNcmsa the cedar cedar tree cedar tree
H730-03 Psalms 29:5 אֲרָזִ֑ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-05 Psalms 29:5 אַרְזֵ֥י arezey HNcmpc cedars-of cedars of cedars of
H730-05 Psalms 80:11 אַֽרְזֵי arezey HNcmpc the cedars cedars of cedars of
H730-15 Psalms 92:13 כְּ/אֶ֖רֶז keerez HR/Ncmsa like a cedar like a cedar like a cedar
H730-05 Psalms 104:16 אַֽרְזֵ֥י arezey HNcmpc cedars of cedars of cedars of
H730-03 Psalms 148:9 אֲרָזִֽים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-04 Job 40:17 אָ֑רֶז arez HNcmsa a cedar cedar tree cedar tree
H730-03 Song of Songs 1:17 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-14 Song of Songs 5:15 כָּ/אֲרָזִֽים kaarazim HRd/Ncmpa as the cedars like cedars like cedars
H730-04 Song of Songs 8:9 אָֽרֶז arez HNcmsa cedar cedar tree cedar tree
H730-03 Ezra 3:7 אֲרָזִ֤ים arazim HNcmpa cedar cedars cedars
H730-03 1 Chronicles 14:1 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-11 1 Chronicles 17:1 הָֽ/אֲרָזִ֔ים haarazim HTd/Ncmpa of cedars the cedars the cedars
H730-03 1 Chronicles 17:6 אֲרָזִֽים arazim HNcmpa of cedars cedars cedars
H730-03 1 Chronicles 22:4 אֲרָזִ֖ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-03 1 Chronicles 22:4 אֲרָזִ֛ים arazim-2 HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-11 2 Chronicles 1:15 הָ/אֲרָזִ֗ים haarazim HTd/Ncmpa cedars the cedars the cedars
H730-03 2 Chronicles 2:2 אֲרָזִ֔ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-03 2 Chronicles 2:7 אֲרָזִ֜ים arazim HNcmpa cedars cedars cedars
H730-11 2 Chronicles 9:27 הָ/אֲרָזִ֗ים haarazim HTd/Ncmpa the cedars the cedars the cedars
H730-13 2 Chronicles 25:18 הָ/אֶ֜רֶז haerez HTd/Ncmsa the cedar the cedar the cedar
← H729 Hebrew Lexicon H731 →