The meaning of “אֶרֶץ”
Understanding ʼerets reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - the earth (at la...
אֶרֶץ
[idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - the earth (at large, or partitively a land) 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 24:62 | “And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai–roi; for he dwelt in the south country.” Word: אֶרֶץ (ʼerets) | |
| Ruth 2:10 | “Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Word: אֶרֶץ (ʼerets) | |
| Ezra 9:2 | “For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.” Word: אֶרֶץ (ʼerets) | |
| Song of Solomon 2:12 | “The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;” Word: אֶרֶץ (ʼerets) | |
| Joel 2:18 | “Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” Word: אֶרֶץ (ʼerets) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Earth
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Earth, land
The Hebrew eretz (אֶרֶץ) means earth or land—the physical world God created. 'The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof' (Psalm 24:1), given to humanity as stewards.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Earth, land
The Greek gē (γῆ) denotes earth or land. While believers are 'strangers and pilgrims on the earth' (Hebrews 11:13), they await 'new heavens and a new earth' (2 Peter 3:13) where righteousness dwells.