Lexical Summary arag: To weave Original Word: אָרַג Strong's Exhaustive Concordance weaver A primitive root; to plait or weave -- weaver(-r). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to weave NASB Translation weave (2), weaver (2), weaver's (4), weavers (1), weaving (1), woven (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָרַג verb weave (Mishna id. compare Phoenician ארג weaver) — Qal Imperfect2feminine singular תַּאַרְגִי Judges 16:13, 3masculine plural יֶאֱרֹ֑גוּ Isaiah 59:5; Participle אֹרֵג Exodus 28:32 4t.; plural אֹרְגִים Isaiah 19:9 5t.; אֹרְגוֺת 2 Kings 23:7; — weave cloth, etc. Isaiah 19:9 (in Egypt) 2 Kings 23:7, Samson's locks Judges 16:13; metaphor weave spider's web = intrigue Isaiah 59:5; most often Participle used as substantive = weaver Isaiah 38:12; work of the weaver ׳מעשׂה א Exodus 28:32; Exodus 39:22,27; compare Exodus 35:35; weavers' beam (plural) ׳מְנוֺר א 1 Samuel 17:7; 2 Samuel 21:19; 1 Chronicles 11:23; 1 Chronicles 20:5 (simile of huge spear-shaft) — compare also below יַעֲרֵי ארגים. Topical Lexicon The Weaving Motif in Scriptureאָרַג (’ārag) evokes the deliberate, patterned interlacing of threads into cloth. Across the canon, weaving illustrates artistry, order, strength, and, at times, idolatrous misuse. Whether adorning priests, equipping warriors, or serving as a prophetic metaphor, weaving underscores the truth that God can be glorified—or profaned—through human skill. Occurrences and Contexts 1. Worship and Holiness 2. Domestic and Vocational Life 3. Personal Experience 4. Moral Failure 5. Military Imagery 6. Deception and Folly Historical Significance Ancient Near-Eastern looms produced rectangular cloth used for garments, tents, and hangings. Israel’s artisans, “filled…with skill” (Exodus 35:35), matched neighboring cultures in technique yet surpassed them in purpose—crafting items for the tabernacle that mirrored heavenly patterns (Hebrews 8:5). Conversely, the idolatrous weaving for Asherah (2 Kings 23:7) exposes how cultural crafts can be co-opted by false worship. Ministry Implications • Craftsmanship as Calling: Bezalel and Oholiab demonstrate that Spirit-empowered artisanship is valid ministry. Churches can encourage vocational excellence as an act of worship. Intertextual Echoes Although אָרַג appears only thirteen times, the weaving theme resonates elsewhere. Job 7:6 compares fleeting days to “a weaver’s shuttle,” and Psalm 139:13 speaks of God “weaving” the unborn—in Hebrew, a cognate root. These connections broaden meditative and doctrinal applications concerning creation, providence, and human dignity. Key Takeaways for Teachers and Disciples 1. God endows diverse skills for His glory; weaving exemplifies vocational sanctification. Forms and Transliterations אֹֽרְגִ֔ים אֹרְג֥וֹת אֹרְגִ֔ים אֹרְגִֽים׃ אֹרֵ֑ג אֹרֵ֗ג ארג ארגות ארגים ארגים׃ וְאֹרְגִ֖ים וְאֹרֵ֑ג וארג וארגים יֶאֱרֹ֑גוּ יארגו כָאֹרֵ֤ג כארג תַּאַרְגִ֗י תארגי ’ō·rə·ḡîm ’ō·rə·ḡō·wṯ ’ō·rêḡ ’ōrêḡ ’ōrəḡîm ’ōrəḡōwṯ chaoReg ḵā’ōrêḡ ḵā·’ō·rêḡ oReg oreGim oregoyt ta’arḡî ta·’ar·ḡî taarGi veoReg veoreGim wə’ōrêḡ wə’ōrəḡîm wə·’ō·rə·ḡîm wə·’ō·rêḡ ye’ĕrōḡū ye·’ĕ·rō·ḡū yeeRoguLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 28:32 HEB: סָבִ֜יב מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה אֹרֵ֗ג כְּפִ֥י תַחְרָ֛א NAS: there shall be a binding of woven work, KJV: thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work INT: around work of woven the opening of a coat Exodus 35:35 Exodus 39:22 Exodus 39:27 Judges 16:13 1 Samuel 17:7 2 Samuel 21:19 2 Kings 23:7 1 Chronicles 11:23 1 Chronicles 20:5 Isaiah 19:9 Isaiah 38:12 Isaiah 59:5 13 Occurrences |