אֲרֻחָה
a ration of food
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֲרֻחָה refers to a regular, allotted portion of food, specifically a daily ration or allowance. In its four biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes a provision granted by a superior to a dependent, such as a king to a captive (2 Kings 25:30, Jeremiah 52:34) or a governor to a subject (Jeremiah 40:5). It can also describe a simple, shared meal, as in Proverbs 15:17, where 'a dinner of herbs' (אֲרֻחַת יָרָק) with love is contrasted with a lavish feast with hatred. The core idea is a measured, appointed sustenance.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in narrative and wisdom literature to describe a formal provision of food. It appears in historical accounts of the Babylonian exile, detailing the daily food allowance King Evil-merodach granted to the deposed King Jehoiachin (2 Kings 25:30, Jeremiah 52:34) and the provision given by the Babylonian captain to the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 40:5). In Proverbs 15:17, it is used metaphorically in a wisdom saying to emphasize the value of peace and love over material abundance.
Etymology
Derived from the root אָרַח (ʼārach, H732), which means 'to journey' or 'to go.' The noun is a feminine passive participle, conveying the sense of something 'appointed' or 'allotted,' like provisions set aside for a journey. This connects the idea of a food ration to the broader concept of a measured portion designated for a specific purpose or person.
Semantic Range
This word highlights themes of divine and human providence, sovereignty, and contentment. In the exile narratives, the captive king's 'allowance' (אֲרֻחָה) demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving the Davidic line even in judgment (2 Kings 25:30). In Proverbs 15:17, it underscores the biblical principle that spiritual and relational health ('love') is more valuable than material provision alone, pointing to contentment and trust in God's daily care.
In the ancient Near East, a daily food allowance from a king or ruler was a formal sign of patronage, protection, and subordination. For a deposed monarch like Jehoiachin, receiving a regular אֲרֻחָה from the Babylonian king meant his life was spared and he was maintained in a state of honorable custody, a significant cultural marker of status even in captivity. It differed from a casual meal, representing an official, sustained provision.
לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — A broader term for 'bread' or 'food' in general, not necessarily a measured allotment. מָזוֹן (māzôn, H4202) — 'Food' or 'sustenance,' often with a sense of nourishment or supply. תַּרְעֵמָה (tarʻēmâh, H864) — A more specific 'allowance' or 'ration,' used in similar contexts of royal provision (e.g., 1 Kings 4:7).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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