Lexical Summary arok: Long, prolonged Original Word: אָרֹךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance long From 'arak; long -- long. see HEBREW 'arak NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arak Definition long NASB Translation long (2), longer (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [אָרֹךְ] adjective long — only feminine singular absolute אֲרֻכָּה; — a. of time, ׳מִלְחָמָה א long war 2 Samuel 3:1; of the exile Jeremiah 29:28; b. figurative of God's wisdom מֵאֶרֶץ מִדָּהּ ׳א Job 11:9 ("" רְחָבָה מִנִּייָֿם). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scopeאָרֹךְ (Strong’s 752) pictures temporal extension—time that is drawn out, stretched beyond what is expected, or deliberately allowed to run its full course. In Scripture it is never a sterile measurement; it is a theological signal that God is working through prolonged processes, whether in conflict, contemplation, or chastisement. Occurrences and Contexts 2 Samuel 3:1 records that “the war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time,” a protracted struggle through which the Lord gradually transferred the kingdom to His chosen servant. The extended timeline gave space for David’s character to be tested, for national loyalties to realign, and for divine purposes to ripen. Job 11:9 employs the term metaphorically: “Their measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.” Here the “length” points to the immeasurable scope of divine wisdom and judgment. It rebukes human presumption and invites humble submission to mysteries that exceed earthly limits. Jeremiah 29:28 cites false prophet Shemaiah’s complaint that Jeremiah had foretold, “The exile will be long.” Length communicates the disciplinary nature of captivity. The seventy-year span would refine Judah, sever love of idols, and prepare a remnant for covenant renewal. Theology of Prolonged Time 1. Divine Sovereignty in Delay Length is never accidental; it is orchestrated. Whether in war (2 Samuel), in revelation (Job), or in exile (Jeremiah), the Lord uses duration to accomplish ends that instantaneous acts would leave unfinished. 2. Human Formation through Waiting Extended seasons foster perseverance (compare Romans 5:3–4) and purge impatience. David’s rise, Job’s testing, and Judah’s exile each reveal how God forges faith, humility, and obedience through protracted experiences. 3. Revelation of God’s Attributes Length magnifies God’s wisdom and forbearance (Job 11:9; Romans 2:4). What seems delay to humanity is mercy, giving space for repentance and growth (2 Peter 3:9). Historical Implications • National Transition: The long war between Saul’s and David’s houses prevented a violent coup and allowed tribes to shift allegiance willingly, yielding a united monarchy anchored in covenant fidelity. Practical and Pastoral Applications • Perseverance in Ministry: Leaders learn that genuine transformation often requires an “אָרֹךְ season.” Programs may change quickly, but hearts are cultivated over time. Christological Connection The incarnate Christ entered a history already marked by divine “length”—centuries of prophetic anticipation. His thirty years of obscurity, three years of ministry, and three days in the grave each reflect purposeful duration. Moreover, the present era between His ascension and return embodies the same principle: an extended interval that invites worldwide repentance and Gospel proclamation (Matthew 24:14). Related Concepts and Cross References • Patience (Greek makrothumia): Colossians 1:11 Summary of Spiritual Emphasis אָרֹךְ reminds readers that God often achieves His most significant works through time-intensive processes. The length of war, the breadth of divine wisdom, and the duration of exile each show that what appears as delay is, in reality, the stage upon which covenant faithfulness, human sanctification, and redemptive history unfold. Forms and Transliterations אֲרֻכָּ֔ה אֲרֻכָּ֣ה ארכה ’ă·ruk·kāh ’ărukkāh arukKahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 3:1 HEB: וַתְּהִ֤י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ אֲרֻכָּ֔ה בֵּ֚ין בֵּ֣ית NAS: Now there was a long war between KJV: Now there was long war INT: become war A long between the house Job 11:9 Jeremiah 29:28 3 Occurrences |
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