Lexical Summary
arabah: Desert, Plain, Wilderness, Steppe
Original Word:עֲרָבָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:`arabah
Pronunciation:ah-rah-VAH
Phonetic Spelling:(ar-aw-baw')
KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness See also H1026
NASB:Arabah, plains, desert, deserts, desert plain, desert plains, fords
Word Origin:[fromH6150 (עָרַב - close) (in the sense of sterility)]
1. a desert
2. (especially, with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
desert, plain, wilderness
Fromarab (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea -- Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See alsoBeyth ha-'Arabah.
see HEBREWarab
see HEBREWBeyth ha-'Arabah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
ArabDefinitiona steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running S. from the Sea of Galilee
NASB TranslationArabah (28), desert (7), desert plain (2), desert plains (2), deserts (3), fords (1), plain (1), plains (15), wilderness (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I.
61 ; — absolute
2 Samuel 4:7 +, suffix
Isaiah 51:3; plural
Jeremiah 5:6;
Psalm 68:5, construct
2 Kings 25:5 +,
Jeremiah 52:8; —
(in southern Judah)1 Samuel 23:24, alsoEzekiel 47:8;Isaiah 51:3, whence nameJoshua 3:16 (JE) "" ), also2 Kings 14:25;Deuteronomy 4:49, and (""id.)Deuteronomy 3:17;Joshua 12:3 (D);Amos 6:14 must be east of Dead Sea, si vera lectio, but read probably see .
; near ford (opposite Jericho)2 Samuel 2:29, compareJoshua 8:14 (JE); alsoDeuteronomy 11:30;2 Kings 25:4 =Jeremiah 39:4 =Jeremiah 52:7; —2 Samuel 15:28;2 Samuel 17:16 see
2 Samuel 4:7.
in D:
Deuteronomy 1:1 (probably)Joshua 12:1,3, east half of Jordan-valleyDeuteronomy 3:17;Deuteronomy 4:49; of entire Jordan-valley (between and Dead Sea, modernEl-Ghôr, the Depression)Deuteronomy 1:7;Joshua 11:2,16; west Jordan plain onlyJoshua 12:8; depression south of Dead Sea (modernWady el-`Arabah)Deuteronomy 2:8.
in P always plural construct (east Jordan)Numbers 22:1 11t. (see ); (West Jordan)Joshua 4:13;Joshua 5:10, also2 Kings 25:5 =Jeremiah 39:5 =Jeremiah 52:8.
Isaiah 40:3;Isaiah 41:19.
in Generalthe steppe (often "" ),Jeremiah 17:6;Jeremiah 50:12;Isaiah 33:9;Isaiah 35:1,6;Job 24:5;Job 39:6;Psalm 68:5;Jeremiah 5:6 (figurative of invader); compare description of ExodusJeremiah 2:6; in simile, of aplain, of future land of JudahZechariah 14:10. — See DrDeuteronomy 1:1 and references BuhlGeogr. 111.
see
V. (√ of following; compare Assyrianerêbu,enter, go in;erêb šamši,sunset; Arabic
set (distinct from
depart, = Sabeanwithdraw, according to DHMEpigr. Denkm. 27),
place of sunset, west; Sabean , [not !]west, western, CISiv. p. 199 DHMl.c.; Ethiopic
set (of heavenly bodies), so Syriac
;
evening (LagBN 64 f.); Zinjirliwest; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew. Hence also ,Europe, LewyFremdw. 139).
Topical Lexicon
Overviewעֲרָבָה (Arabah) designates the great rift-valley and accompanying desert-steppe running north–south through the land of Israel and Jordan, together with smaller plains of similar topography. Approximately sixty Old Testament occurrences weave the Arabah into Israel’s geography, history, worship, and prophetic hope, making it far more than a barren backwater. Scripture presents it as a place of testing and judgment, yet also of refuge, commerce, victory, and future transformation.
Geographical Location and Physical Characteristics
1. The Jordan Rift Valley. Most references point to the broad, sun-scorched trench stretching from the southern end of the Sea of Galilee down past the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat). At its lowest point near the Dead Sea it lies more than 400 meters below sea level, flanked by the Judean hills to the west and the plateau of Moab and Edom to the east (Deuteronomy 3:17;Joshua 12:3).
2. Eastern and Western Offshoots. A few texts employ “Arabah” for adjacent plains such as Jericho’s and the vicinity of Beth Peor (Deuteronomy 34:3), or the coastal plain south of Mount Carmel (Joshua 11:2).
3. Climate and Ecology. Scant rainfall, summer heat, saline soils, and sparse vegetation characterize the region, yet acacia groves, date palms, and seasonal wadis support wildlife and human settlement in pockets.
The Arabah in the Wilderness Generation
Moses delivered his final addresses “in the Arabah opposite Suph” (Deuteronomy 1:1), and the term frames several itinerary markers (Deuteronomy 2:8; 3:17; 4:49). The Jordan crossing likewise occurs “beside the Arabah” (Joshua 3:16), underscoring how the valley served as both barrier and gateway to the Promised Land. The wilderness hardships that Israel endured there highlight the faithfulness of God who “led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and pits, through a land of drought and darkness, through a land that no one traversed” (Jeremiah 2:6).
Settlement and Warfare
1. Conquest and Allocation. Joshua’s campaigns traverse the Arabah repeatedly (Joshua 8:14; 11:16; 12:1), and the plain is allotted to Benjamin and Reuben at different points (Joshua 18:18;Deuteronomy 3:16–17), emphasizing its agricultural and strategic value near water sources.
2. Royal Highways and Battles. The plain functioned as a north–south corridor linking Edom, Moab, and Israel. Abner’s retreat with the forces of Saul crossed the ford through “the Arabah” (2 Samuel 2:29). In2 Kings 14:25 it is a boundary for the restored northern kingdom under Jeroboam II “from Lebo-hamath to the Sea of the Arabah,” signaling military reach. Zedekiah’s doomed flight from Jerusalem likewise courses toward the same valley (2 Kings 25:4;Jeremiah 39:4; 52:7).
Economic and Commercial Significance
1. Metallurgy and Trade. At Ezion-geber and Elath—ports situated in the southern Arabah—Solomon outfitted fleets trading with Ophir (1 Kings 9:26–28) and probably exploited rich copper deposits still visible today.
2. Agriculture. Despite harshness, irrigation along the Jordan created fertile pockets sustaining Jericho’s famed date palms and balsam (Deuteronomy 34:3;2 Kings 25:12).
3. Travel Artery. The “King’s Highway” paralleled the eastern border of the Arabah, facilitating commerce between Africa, Arabia, and Mesopotamia.
Prophetic Imagery and Eschatological Hope
1. Transformation Motif. Isaiah declares, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus” (Isaiah 35:1). Verse 7 adds, “The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs,” portraying the Arabah as a canvas for God’s salvific renewal.
2. Highway of Redemption. “A voice of one calling: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make straight a highway for our God in the Arabah’” (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist later fulfills this cry in the very regions the word evokes, tying gospel advance to the Arabah theme of paving a path through barrenness.
3. River of Life. Ezekiel’s vision describes a healing river that “goes down to the Arabah and enters the sea; when it empties into the sea, the waters there become fresh” (Ezekiel 47:8). The Dead Sea, emblem of sterility, is renewed, foreshadowing the final restoration of creation.
4. Eschatological Leveling. Zechariah foresees the Mount of Olives splitting and “all the land will be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem” (Zechariah 14:4,10), picturing God’s universal reign leveling obstacles.
Symbolism of Testing and Refuge
Scripture pairs the Arabah’s harshness with divine provision. Elijah, pursued by Ahab, journeys southward and is sustained, much like Israel of old (compare1 Kings 19). Jeremiah urges the exiles, “You who have escaped the sword, depart, do not stay! Remember the Lord from far away, and let Jerusalem come to mind” (Jeremiah 51:50), an appeal uttered while traveling “in the Arabah.” The desert thus becomes a proving ground that drives hearts to rely on God alone.
Spiritual Lessons and Ministry Application
1. God leads through deserts to shape dependence. Times of spiritual dryness mirror the Arabah; yet valleys herald crossings into promise when guided by faith.
2. The Lord transforms wastelands. Promises of blossoming Arabah encourage prayer and labor for revival in desolate contexts—personal, ecclesial, cultural.
3. Straight paths in the desert call believers to repentance and mission. Like John, the church prepares the King’s highway where hearts seem most arid.
4. Streams of living water are promised even to the lowest place on earth. Ezekiel’s vision presses hope for complete renewal at Christ’s return.
Key References (representative)
Deuteronomy 1:1; 3:17; 4:49
Joshua 3:16; 11:16; 18:18
2 Samuel 2:29
2 Kings 14:25; 25:4
Isaiah 35:1,7; 40:3
Jeremiah 2:6; 39:4; 51:50
Ezekiel 47:8
Zechariah 14:10
The Arabah, then, is more than a geographic footnote; it is a recurring stage where God tests, judges, delivers, and promises final renewal, urging every generation to trust Him to turn deserts into streams and to make straight paths for His glory.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת בְּעַֽרְב֥וֹת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת בְּעַֽרְבֹ֥ת בְּעַרְב֣וֹת בָּ֭עֲרָבוֹת בָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה בָּֽעֲרָבָה֩ בָּעֲרָבָ֑ה בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה בָּעֲרָבָ֗ה בָּעֲרָבָ֥ה בָּעֲרָבָֽה׃ בערבה בערבה׃ בערבות בערבת הָ֨עֲרָבָ֜ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֔ה הָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה הָֽעֲרָבָה֙ הָעֲרָבָ֑ה הָעֲרָבָ֖ה הָעֲרָבָ֛ה הָעֲרָבָ֤ה הָעֲרָבָֽה׃ הָעֲרָבָֽתָה׃ הערבה הערבה׃ הערבתה׃ וְהָֽעֲרָבָ֖ה וְהָעֲרָבָה֩ וְעַרְבָתָ֖הּ וַעֲרָבָ֑ה וַעֲרָבָֽה׃ וּבָֽעֲרָבָה֙ וּבָעֲרָבָ֛ה ובערבה והערבה וערבה וערבה׃ וערבתה כָּֽעֲרָבָ֔ה כָּעֲרָבָה֙ כערבה מֵֽעַרְבֹ֤ת מערבת עֲרָבָ֛ה עֲרָבָ֣ה עֲרָבָ֤ה עֲרָבָ֥ה עֲרָבוֹת֙ עַֽרְב֥וֹת עַֽרְבֹ֣ת ערבה ערבות ערבת ‘ă·rā·ḇāh ‘ă·rā·ḇō·wṯ ‘ar·ḇō·wṯ ‘ar·ḇōṯ ‘ărāḇāh ‘ărāḇōwṯ ‘arḇōṯ ‘arḇōwṯ araVah araVot arVot bā‘ărāḇāh bā‘ărāḇōwṯ bā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh bā·‘ă·rā·ḇō·wṯ baaraVah BaaraVot bə‘arḇōṯ bə‘arḇōwṯ bə·‘ar·ḇō·wṯ bə·‘ar·ḇōṯ bearVot hā‘ărāḇāh hā‘ărāḇāṯāh hā·‘ă·rā·ḇā·ṯāh hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh haaraVah haaraVatah kā‘ărāḇāh kā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh kaaraVah mê‘arḇōṯ mê·‘ar·ḇōṯ mearVot ū·ḇā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh ūḇā‘ărāḇāh uvaaraVah vaaraVah vearvaTah vehaaraVah wa‘ărāḇāh wa·‘ă·rā·ḇāh wə‘arḇāṯāh wə·‘ar·ḇā·ṯāh wə·hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh wəhā‘ărāḇāh
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