6184. arits
Lexical Summary
arits: Terrifying, ruthless, mighty, oppressive

Original Word: עָרִיץ
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: `ariyts
Pronunciation: ah-REETS
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-reets')
KJV: mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent
NASB: ruthless, tyrants, most ruthless, violent, violent men, dread, ruthless men
Word Origin: [from H6206 (עָרַץ - tremble)]

1. fearful, i.e. powerful or tyrannical

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent

From arats; fearful, i.e. Powerful or tyrannical -- mighty, oppressor, in great power, strong, terrible, violent.

see HEBREW arats

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from arats
Definition
awe-inspiring, terror-striking
NASB Translation
dread (1), most ruthless (2), ruthless (6), ruthless men (1), ruthless ones (1), tyrant (1), tyrants (4), violent (2), violent men (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
עָרִיץ adjective awe-inspiring, terror-striking; — ׳ע of ׳י, כְּגִבּוֺר עָרִיץ Jeremiah 20:11; plural as substantive עָרִיצִים, in bad sense of formidable adversaries, personal, Jeremiah 15:21 ("" רָעִים), Job 6:23 ("" צָר), and national, Psalm 54:5 ("" זָרִים), = ׳עֲדַת ע Psalm 86:14 ("" זֵדִים), ׳הֲמוֺן ע Isaiah 29:5 ("" זָרָ֑יִח); especially of Chaldeans Isaiah 13:11, construct עָרִצֵי גוֺיִם most terrifying of the nations Ezekiel 28:7 ("" זָרִים) Ezekiel 30:11; Ezekiel 31:12 ("" זָרִים), Ezekiel 32:12; so (probably) singular עָרִיץ Isaiah 49:25 (read ׳ע also for צַדִּיק Isaiah 49:24, so Lo Ew Che Gr and others); without specific reference גּוֺיִם עָרִיצִים Isaiah 25:3 awe-inspiring nations (Du Che take ׳ע as substantive), ׳רִוּחַ ע Isaiah 25:4 (strike out as gloss Di and others), ׳זְמִיר ע Isaiah 25:5 (strike out verse as gloss Du Che); late, of wicked in General, as ruthless ׳רָאִיתִי רָשָׁע ע Psalm 37:35 I have seen a wicked man ruthless; as substantive, Isaiah 29:20 ("" לֵץ), Job 15:20 ("" רשׁע), plural Job 27:13 ("" id.), Proverbs 11:16; read also עָרִיצִ(יםׅ Isaiah 11:4 (for ᵑ0 אֶרֶץ), so Che BrMP Du Gr and others ("" רָשָׁע).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Imagery

עָרִיץ (ʾārîts) evokes dread, violence, and arrogant power. Whether used of a single oppressor or a conquering army, it paints a portrait of those who crush the vulnerable and exalt themselves above God and man.

Canonical Distribution

The term occurs twenty times, spanning Wisdom Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs) and the Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel). The wide spread underscores that ruthless tyranny is a perennial human reality, met everywhere by God’s justice.

Wisdom Literature: The Fragility of Ruthless Prosperity

Job wrestles with the short‐lived success of oppressors. He concedes that “the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty” (Job 27:13) is ultimately ruin. Proverbs 11:16 contrasts the gentle who gain lasting honor with the ruthless who gain only wealth—fleeting and morally empty.

Psalms: Prayer and Confidence amid Oppression

David often faces “ruthless men” who “seek my life” (Psalm 54:3) and “have no regard for God.” Psalm 37:35 notes a “wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,” yet verse 36 records his sudden disappearance. Psalm 86:14 laments that “a band of ruthless men seeks my life,” but immediately affirms the Lord’s compassionate character. The Psalter thus transforms fear into faith, modeling prayer that names injustice yet clings to divine covenant love.

Prophetic Oracles: Tyrants Exposed and Overthrown

Isaiah uses the word seven times. Babylon’s fall is promised: “I will end the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the ruthless” (Isaiah 13:11). The eschatological banquet of Isaiah 25 is set against the silencing of ruthless nations: “For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall” (Isaiah 25:4) and “the song of the ruthless is silenced” (Isaiah 25:5). Isaiah 29:20 announces that “the ruthless will vanish.”

Jeremiah receives personal assurance: “I will redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless” (Jeremiah 15:21). Even when imprisoned, he declares, “The Lord is with me like a dread warrior” (Jeremiah 20:11).

Ezekiel broadens the picture, calling invading armies “the most ruthless of nations” (Ezekiel 28:7; 30:11; 31:12; 32:12), showing that God may employ one tyrant to punish another, yet will ultimately judge them all.

Divine Justice and Compassion

Two intertwined themes dominate:

1. God stands against every form of arrogant oppression, promising to humble the ruthless.
2. God protects the weak, acting as “a refuge for the poor” when the ruthless breathe out violence (Isaiah 25:4).

Eschatological Horizon

The silencing of the ruthless in Isaiah 25 anticipates the day when death itself is swallowed up (Isaiah 25:8). The downfall of temporal tyrannies foreshadows the final reign of righteousness in which no oppressor will stand.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Encouragement for the Persecuted: Believers facing modern tyrannies can pray the vocabulary of the Psalms, assured that ruthless power is temporary.
• Prophetic Witness: The church is authorized to confront oppression, echoing the prophets who denounced ruthless nations.
• Hope in Ultimate Justice: Apparent triumphs of cruelty must never eclipse confidence in God’s sure judgment.

Christological Reflection

Jesus Christ embodies the antithesis of the עָרִיץ. Rejecting coercive power, He conquers through the cross, disarming “rulers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). His promised return, depicted in Revelation 19, completes the Old Testament trajectory: every ruthless dominion will bow to the humble, slain, and risen Lamb.

Key References for Study

Job 6:23; 15:20; 27:13

Psalm 37:35; 54:3; 86:14

Proverbs 11:16

Isaiah 13:11; 25:3-5; 29:5, 20; 49:25

Jeremiah 15:21; 20:11

Ezekiel 28:7; 30:11; 31:12; 32:12

Forms and Transliterations
וְ֝עָרִיצִ֗ים וְֽ֭עָרִיצִים ועריצים לֶעָרִֽיץ׃ לעריץ׃ עָ֝רִיצִ֗ים עָ֭רִיצִים עָֽרִיצִ֔ים עָֽרִיצִ֖ים עָרִ֑יץ עָרִ֔יץ עָרִ֖יץ עָרִיצִ֖ים עָרִיצִ֣ים עָרִיצֵ֖י עָרִיצֵ֣י עָרִיצֵ֥י עָרִצִֽים׃ עריץ עריצי עריצים ערצים׃ ‘ā·rî·ṣê ‘ā·ri·ṣîm ‘ā·rî·ṣîm ‘ā·rîṣ ‘ārîṣ ‘ārîṣê ‘āriṣîm ‘ārîṣîm aRitz ariTzei ariTzim le‘ārîṣ le·‘ā·rîṣ leaRitz Vearitzim wə‘ārîṣîm wə·‘ā·rî·ṣîm
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Job 6:23
HEB: צָ֑ר וּמִיַּ֖ד עָרִיצִ֣ים תִּפְדּֽוּנִי׃
NAS: me from the hand of the tyrants'?
KJV: me from the hand of the mighty?
INT: the enemy's the hand mighty deliver

Job 15:20
HEB: שָׁ֝נִ֗ים נִצְפְּנ֥וּ לֶעָרִֽיץ׃
NAS: stored up for the ruthless.
KJV: of years is hidden to the oppressor.
INT: are the years stored the ruthless

Job 27:13
HEB: אֵ֑ל וְֽנַחֲלַ֥ת עָ֝רִיצִ֗ים מִשַּׁדַּ֥י יִקָּֽחוּ׃
NAS: And the inheritance [which] tyrants receive
KJV: and the heritage of oppressors, [which] they shall receive
INT: God and the inheritance tyrants the Almighty receive

Psalm 37:35
HEB: רָ֭אִיתִי רָשָׁ֣ע עָרִ֑יץ וּ֝מִתְעָרֶ֗ה כְּאֶזְרָ֥ח
NAS: a wicked, violent man
KJV: the wicked in great power, and spreading
INT: have seen A wicked violent Spreading tree

Psalm 54:3
HEB: קָ֤מוּ עָלַ֗י וְֽ֭עָרִיצִים בִּקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י
NAS: against me And violent men have sought
KJV: are risen up against me, and oppressors seek
INT: have risen against and violent have sought my life

Psalm 86:14
HEB: עָלַ֗י וַעֲדַ֣ת עָ֭רִיצִים בִּקְשׁ֣וּ נַפְשִׁ֑י
NAS: me, And a band of violent men have sought
KJV: against me, and the assemblies of violent [men] have sought
INT: against band of violent have sought my life

Proverbs 11:16
HEB: תִּתְמֹ֣ךְ כָּב֑וֹד וְ֝עָרִיצִ֗ים יִתְמְכוּ־ עֹֽשֶׁר׃
NAS: honor, And ruthless men attain
KJV: honour: and strong [men] retain
INT: attains honor and ruthless attain riches

Isaiah 13:11
HEB: זֵדִ֔ים וְגַאֲוַ֥ת עָרִיצִ֖ים אַשְׁפִּֽיל׃
NAS: the haughtiness of the ruthless.
KJV: the haughtiness of the terrible.
INT: of the proud the haughtiness of the ruthless and abase

Isaiah 25:3
HEB: קִרְיַ֛ת גּוֹיִ֥ם עָרִיצִ֖ים יִירָאֽוּךָ׃
NAS: You; Cities of ruthless nations
KJV: thee, the city of the terrible nations
INT: Cities nations of ruthless will revere

Isaiah 25:4
HEB: כִּ֛י ר֥וּחַ עָרִיצִ֖ים כְּזֶ֥רֶם קִֽיר׃
NAS: For the breath of the ruthless Is like a [rain] storm
KJV: when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm
INT: For the breath of the ruthless A storm a wall

Isaiah 25:5
HEB: עָ֔ב זְמִ֥יר עָֽרִיצִ֖ים יַעֲנֶֽה׃ פ
NAS: the song of the ruthless is silenced.
KJV: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
INT: of a cloud the song of the ruthless low

Isaiah 29:5
HEB: עֹבֵר֙ הֲמ֣וֹן עָֽרִיצִ֔ים וְהָיָ֖ה לְפֶ֥תַע
NAS: And the multitude of the ruthless ones like the chaff
KJV: and the multitude of the terrible ones [shall be] as chaff
INT: blows and the multitude of the ruthless will happen instantly

Isaiah 29:20
HEB: כִּֽי־ אָפֵ֥ס עָרִ֖יץ וְכָ֣לָה לֵ֑ץ
NAS: For the ruthless will come to an end
KJV: For the terrible one is brought to nought,
INT: for will come the ruthless will be finished and the scorner

Isaiah 49:25
HEB: יֻקָּ֔ח וּמַלְק֥וֹחַ עָרִ֖יץ יִמָּלֵ֑ט וְאֶת־
NAS: away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued;
KJV: and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered:
INT: will be taken and the prey of the tyrant will be rescued with

Jeremiah 15:21
HEB: וּפְדִתִ֖יךָ מִכַּ֥ף עָרִצִֽים׃ פ
NAS: you from the grasp of the violent.
KJV: thee out of the hand of the terrible.
INT: will redeem the grasp of the violent

Jeremiah 20:11
HEB: אוֹתִי֙ כְּגִבּ֣וֹר עָרִ֔יץ עַל־ כֵּ֛ן
NAS: But the LORD is with me like a dread champion;
KJV: [is] with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors
INT: for champion A dread and after that

Ezekiel 28:7
HEB: עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ זָרִ֔ים עָרִיצֵ֖י גּוֹיִ֑ם וְהֵרִ֤יקוּ
NAS: strangers upon you, The most ruthless of the nations.
KJV: strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations:
INT: Against strangers the most of the nations shall draw

Ezekiel 30:11
HEB: וְעַמּ֤וֹ אִתּוֹ֙ עָרִיצֵ֣י גוֹיִ֔ם מֽוּבָאִ֖ים
NAS: He and his people with him, The most ruthless of the nations,
KJV: He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations,
INT: and his people for the most of the nations Will be brought

Ezekiel 31:12
HEB: וַיִּכְרְתֻ֧הוּ זָרִ֛ים עָרִיצֵ֥י גוֹיִ֖ם וַֽיִּטְּשֻׁ֑הוּ
NAS: Alien tyrants of the nations
KJV: And strangers, the terrible of the nations,
INT: have cut Alien tyrants of the nations and left

Ezekiel 32:12
HEB: אַפִּ֣יל הֲמוֹנֶ֔ךָ עָרִיצֵ֥י גוֹיִ֖ם כֻּלָּ֑ם
NAS: all of them are tyrants of the nations,
KJV: to fall, the terrible of the nations,
INT: to fall your hordes are tyrants of the nations all

20 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6184
20 Occurrences


‘ā·rîṣ — 4 Occ.
‘ā·rî·ṣê — 4 Occ.
‘ā·rî·ṣîm — 9 Occ.
le·‘ā·rîṣ — 1 Occ.
wə·‘ā·rî·ṣîm — 2 Occ.

6183
Top of Page
Top of Page