אַרְוַד
Arvad, an island-city of Palestine
Definition
Arvad is a proper noun referring to an ancient island-city located off the coast of Phoenicia, in the region of modern-day Syria. In the Bible, it is mentioned as a maritime power whose inhabitants were skilled sailors and warriors, serving as rowers and guards on Tyrian ships (Ezekiel 27:8, 27:11). The city is consistently portrayed as part of the Phoenician coastal network, known for its seafaring expertise and strategic position. No other biblical meanings or senses are associated with this term; it solely identifies this specific geographic and ethnic entity.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Arvad' appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in Ezekiel 27 within a lament over the city of Tyre. In Ezekiel 27:8, the 'inhabitants of Arvad' are mentioned as Tyre's rowers, and in Ezekiel 27:11, 'men of Arvad' are listed alongside other forces as guards upon Tyre's walls. Its usage is exclusively in a prophetic, geopolitical context highlighting the coalition of maritime peoples supporting Tyre's trade and defense.
Etymology
The name 'Arvad' (אַרְוַד) is likely derived from the Hebrew root רוּד (rûd, H7300), meaning 'to roam' or 'to wander.' This suggests an original sense of 'a place of refuge for the roving' or 'a haven for wanderers,' which fits its identity as an island settlement and port. The etymology reflects its role as a maritime hub for travelers and traders in the ancient Near East.
Semantic Range
In its original setting, Arvad was a significant Phoenician island-city, known for its independent spirit and naval prowess. Culturally, it was part of the Phoenician network of city-states, famous for seafaring, trade, and craftsmanship. Understanding Arvad enriches reading by illustrating the real-world political and military alliances (and their eventual judgment) referenced in Ezekiel's prophecies against Tyre, grounding the text in historical geography.
Tyre (צֹר, H6865) — A major Phoenician mainland city, whereas Arvad was an island dependency. Sidon (צִידֹון, H6721) — Another prominent Phoenician city-state, often paired with Tyre, but distinct from the island of Arvad.
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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