Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:The term "Arabs" in the Bible refers to a group of people who inhabited the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding regions. The Bible mentions Arabs in various contexts, often highlighting their interactions with the Israelites and other neighboring peoples. The term "Arab" is derived from the Hebrew word "ʿarav," which can mean "desert" or "nomad," reflecting the lifestyle of many ancient Arab tribes.
Biblical References:Arabs are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. One of the earliest references is found in the genealogies of Genesis, where the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, are considered to be the progenitors of many Arab tribes.
Genesis 25:13-16 lists the names of Ishmael's sons, who became tribal leaders in the region.
In
1 Kings 10:15, the Bible notes the wealth that came to King Solomon from various sources, including "the merchants and traders, and all the kings of Arabia and the governors of the land." This indicates the economic interactions between Israel and the Arab tribes during Solomon's reign.
The prophet Isaiah also mentions the Arabs in his oracles against the nations. In
Isaiah 21:13-17, a prophecy is directed toward the "caravans of Dedanites" and the "inhabitants of the land of Tema," both of which are associated with Arabian tribes. This passage highlights the nomadic lifestyle and the trade routes that were significant in the Arabian Peninsula.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul refers to his time spent in Arabia after his conversion. In
Galatians 1:17, Paul states, "I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus." This brief mention suggests that Arabia was a place of retreat and reflection for Paul during his early Christian ministry.
Cultural and Historical Context:The Arabs in biblical times were primarily nomadic tribes known for their skills in trade, herding, and warfare. They inhabited the vast desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula, which served as a crossroads for trade routes connecting the East and West. The Arabian tribes were known for their use of camels, which were essential for long-distance travel across the desert.
The Bible often portrays the Arabs as both allies and adversaries of Israel. For example, during the reign of King Jehoshaphat, the Arabians brought tribute to him, as recorded in
2 Chronicles 17:11: "Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats."
Religious Significance:From a biblical perspective, the Arabs are significant as descendants of Ishmael, who was blessed by God to become a great nation. In
Genesis 17:20, God promises Abraham regarding Ishmael, "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation."
The relationship between the Israelites and the Arabs is complex, marked by both conflict and cooperation. The biblical narrative often uses these interactions to illustrate themes of God's sovereignty, judgment, and the fulfillment of His promises.
Conclusion:The Arabs, as depicted in the Bible, are a diverse and influential group with a rich cultural heritage. Their interactions with the Israelites and other nations provide valuable insights into the historical and theological context of the biblical narrative.
Greek
690b. Araps -- an Arab... Araps. 691 . an Arab. Transliteration: Araps Short Definition:
Arabs. Word Origin
from Arabia Definition an Arab NASB Word Usage
Arabs (1). 690a, 690b.
...Strong's Hebrew
6163a. Arbi -- inhab. of Arabia... of Arabia. Transliteration: Arbi Short Definition:
Arabs. Word Origin from Arab
Definition inhab. of Arabia NASB Word Usage Arab (2), Arabians (2),
Arabs (3).
...7394. Rekab -- perhaps "band of riders," a Benjamite, also the...
... Rechab. From rakab; rider; Rekab, the name of twoArabs and of two Israelites --
Rechab. see HEBREW rakab. 7393, 7394. Rekab. 7395 . Strong's Numbers.
6152a. Arab -- "steppe-dwellers," a country East of Isr.
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition "steppe-dwellers," a country E. of Isr.
NASB Word Usage Arabia (4),Arabs (1). 6152, 6152a. Arab. 6152b ....
Library
StreetArabs. May 13.
... StreetArabs. May 13. One has only to go into the streets of any great city
in England to see how we, with all our boast of civilisation...
The Variety of Idolatrous Cults Proves that they are False.
... Thebes. The Indians moreover differ from theArabs, theArabs from the
Ethiopians, and the Ethiopians from theArabs in their idols....
The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... Sidon (680-679 BC); Cimmerian and Scythian invasions, revolt of vie Mannai, and
expeditions against the Medes; submission of the northernArabs (678-676 BC...
The Clean and the Unclean
... The Jews could not even eat with theArabs, who were near akin to them, for they
frequently partook of the flesh of the camels, the hare, and the coney, all...
The Inroads of Mahometanism
... [Sidenote: Founds a new religion.]. Here he was gladly received both by Jews
andArabs, rival races, who divided the city between them....
State of the Papacy (Ad 891-1046)
... He had studied under theArabs in Spain (for in some kinds of learning theArabs
were then far beyond the Christians); and it was he who first taught...
Of the Synod which was Held at Nic??a in Bithynia, and the Creed...
... And one sacred edifice, dilated as it were by God, contained within it on the same
occasion both Syrians and Cilicians, Phoenicians,Arabs and Palestinians...
How Herod Made War with the King of Arabia, and after they had...
... CHAPTER 5. How Herod Made War With The King Of Arabia, And After They Had Fought
Many Battles, At Length Conquered Him, And Was Chosen By TheArabs To Be...
Abraham
... stars. So say the old traditions of theArabs, who are descended from Abraham
through Ishmael, and so it is most likely to have been....
Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... of locusts, issuing from the smoke of the Tartarean abyss, now opened by the work
of Satan, to devastate the globe; that is, the Saracens, orArabs, (a nation...
Thesaurus
Arabs (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Arabs (7 Occurrences). Acts 2:11 Cretes and Arabians,
we did hear them speaking in our tongues the great things of God.' (See NAS NIV)
...Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... In some parts, especially those occupied by the Druzes, fair crops are grown. Where
theArabs are masters, poverty reigns. They also have an evil reputation....
Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... the Sinaitic peninsula, southern Palestine and Arabia, but he did not collect specimens
of either and was probably misled by statements of theArabs which in...
Assur (2 Occurrences)
... shur'-gat, sher'-gat: The name of the first capital city of Assyria is known
by theArabs as Qala' at Sherghat, or the Fortress of Sherghat....
Sherghat
... shur'-gat, sher'-gat: The name of the first capital city of Assyria is known
by theArabs as Qala' at Sherghat, or the Fortress of Sherghat....
Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... (Joshua 3:16); and the (East) Eastern Sea (Ezekiel 47:18 Joel 2:20). Among
theArabs it is still called Bahr Lut (Sea of Lot). By...
Manna (19 Occurrences)
... The manna of the Sinaitic peninsula is an exudation from the "manna-tamarisk"
tree (Tamarix mannifera), the el-tarfah of theArabs....
East (228 Occurrences)
... East, Children of the. TheArabs as a whole, known as the Nabateans or Kedarenes,
nomad tribes (Judges 6:3, 33; 7:12; 8:10). East gate....
Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... shur'-gat, sher'-gat: The name of the first capital city of Assyria is known
by theArabs as Qala' at Sherghat, or the Fortress of Sherghat....
Wanderings (7 Occurrences)
... Where soft soil is found, in the valleys, grass will grow and afford pasture, but
even early in spring theArabs begin to suffer from want of water, which only...
Resources
Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the satanic verses? | GotQuestions.orgWho is Allah? What is the origin of belief in Allah? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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