Original Word: אָרֵךְ
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: arek
Pronunciation: ah-rek
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rake')
Definition: Long, slow to
Meaning: long

longsuffering patient, slow to anger

From 'arak; long -- long(-suffering, -winged), patient, slow (to anger).

see HEBREW 'arak

Word Origin
from arak
Definition
long
NASB Translation
long (1), patience (2), slow (10), who is slow (2).

[אָרֵךְ] adjective long — only construct אֶרֶךְ Exodus 34:6 14t. — הָאֵבֶר ׳א long of pinion Ezekiel 17:3 ("" גְּדוֺל הַכְּנָפַיִם) of eagle, in metaphor; elsewhere always of feelings, as substantive Ecclesiastes 7:8 רוּחַ ׳א the patient of spirit (opposed to ׳גְּבַהּ ר); אַמַּיִם ׳א one slow to anger Proverbs 14:29 (opposed to קְצַררֿוּחַ), so Proverbs 15:18 (opposed to אִישׁ חֵמָה), Proverbs 16:32 ("" משֵׁל בְּרוּחוֺ); more often of ׳י, אַפַיִם ׳א, Exodus 34:6 אַמַּיִם וְרַבחֶֿסֶד וֶאֱמֶת ׳רַחוּם וְחַנּוּן א compare Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; so + וְנִחָם עַלהָֿרָעָה Joel 2:13 compare Jonah 4:2 (where אֵל), אַמַּיִם וּגְדוֺל כֹּחַ ׳א Nahum 1:3; לְאֶרֶךְ אַמְּךָ only Jeremiah 15:15, ׳א apparently noun; read אֹרֶךְ ? compare Proverbs 25:15.

Word Origin: Derived from the root אָרַךְ (arak), which means "to be long" or "to prolong."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The Greek equivalent for the concept of "long" or "slow to anger" can be found in Strong's Greek Number 3115, μακροθυμία (makrothymia), which also conveys the idea of patience and forbearance. This term is used in the New Testament to describe the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the Hebrew word אָרֵךְ (arek), its usage in the biblical text, and its theological implications, particularly in relation to God's character and the virtues expected of His followers.

Usage: This word is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe something that is extended in length or duration. It is often used in a metaphorical sense to describe patience or forbearance, particularly in the context of God's attributes.

Context: • The Hebrew word אָרֵךְ (arek) appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, often describing physical length or metaphorical extension. It is notably used in the phrase "slow to anger" (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, erek appayim), which is a characteristic attributed to God, highlighting His patience and mercy. This phrase is found in passages such as Exodus 34:6, where God reveals His nature to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth."
• The concept of being "long" or "prolonged" is also applied to life, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:16, where the promise of a long life is given to those who honor their parents: "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
• In Proverbs 14:29, the term is used to commend patience: "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly." Here, the word "patient" is translated from אָרֵךְ, emphasizing the virtue of being slow to anger.

אֶ֖רֶךְ אֶ֣רֶךְ אֶ֤רֶךְ אֶ֥רֶךְ אֶֽרֶךְ־ ארך ארך־ וְאֶ֥רֶך וארך לְאֶ֥רֶךְ לארך ’e·reḵ ’e·reḵ- ’ereḵ ’ereḵ- Erech lə’ereḵ lə·’e·reḵ leErech veErech wə’ereḵ wə·’e·reḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts