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אַרְזָה

𐤀𐤓𐤆𐤄

ʼarzâh

H731 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ארז cedar, to be firm, strong

Definition

A noun denoting cedar paneling or cedar woodwork, especially as material used for lining, paneling, or overlaying interior surfaces in buildings. It refers to the use of cedar as a finished building material, particularly for decorative or protective purposes on walls or ceilings.

Semantic Range

cedar paneling, cedar work, cedar wainscoting, cedar lining, interior feature made of cedar

Root / Etymology

From the root א-ר-ז (אַרְז, 'erez), meaning 'cedar.' The feminine form אַרְזָה (ʼarzâh) designates an object or feature made from cedar, specifically referring to cedar paneling or lining rather than the tree or raw wood itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַרְזָה appears only in certain passages describing the luxurious use of cedar in Israelite architecture, notably in connection with palatial or sacred spaces (e.g., Israelite palaces and the Temple). Cedar imports, especially from Lebanon, symbolized status and durability due to the wood's resistance to decay and insects. The word underscores not simply the presence of cedar as timber, but its processed and refined use in elite construction. The term stands in contrast to אֶרֶז (erez), which usually refers to the cedar tree or its wood generally. Standard English translations typically render אַרְזָה as 'cedar paneling,' 'cedar work,' or 'cedar wainscoting,' but these may not fully express the distinction between raw wood and finished architectural feature. The usage of cedar paneling is historically attested during the monarchic period, especially linked to royal and temple architecture, reflecting cultural and economic ties with Lebanon and Phoenician artisans.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of אֶרֶז; cedar wainscoating; cedar work.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H729 אָרַז cedar-built ones
H730 אֶרֶז his cedars

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H731-01 אַרְזָ֖ה arezah HNcfsa cedar work cedar paneling 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H731-01 Zephaniah 2:14 אַרְזָ֖ה arezah HNcfsa cedar work cedar paneling
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