Lexical Definition

‎אַרְוַד‎ ʼArvad (ar-vad') Arvad ^N:N--L
probably from ‎רוּד‎; a refuge for the roving

Arvad.

• § Arvad = "I shall break loose"
• Arvad, an island-city of Palestine

1) a city-island near Sidon

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎אַרְוָד‎ proper name, of a location city of Phenicia (Assyrian Aruada, etc. see COT Gen 10:18 Dl^{Pa 281}; ᵐ5 Ἀραδιοι; modern Ruâd) on an island near main land, northward from Tripolis, mentioned with Sidon Ezek 27:8 compare 11.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Arvad • An island city, known for its skilled mariners and soldiers.

Arvad, an island city whose inhabitants served as sailors and soldiers for Tyre.

• A location first mentioned at Ezk.27.8;
• only referred to as Arvad אַרְוַד.
  

Arvad, also known as Arwad or Arados, was an island city located off the coast of Syria, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Tripolis. It is mentioned in Ezekiel 27 as one of the cities that provided skilled mariners and soldiers for the maritime trade and defense of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city.

In Ezekiel's lamentation over Tyre, he describes the city's vast trading network and the various nations that contributed to its wealth and power. Arvad is noted for its role in supplying sailors to navigate Tyre's ships (Ezekiel 27:8) and soldiers to guard its walls (Ezekiel 27:11). This indicates that Arvad had a reputation for producing experienced seafarers and well-trained warriors.

Arvad was part of the Phoenician civilization and had a long history of maritime trade and cultural exchange with other Mediterranean nations. The city was situated on a small, rocky island with limited natural resources, which likely contributed to its focus on seafaring and commerce.

The biblical mention of Arvad in the context of Tyre's trade and military alliances highlights the interconnected nature of the Phoenician city-states and their shared expertise in navigation and maritime affairs. It also underscores the significance of Arvad as a valuable partner in Tyre's economic and defensive network.

Apart from its appearance in Ezekiel's prophecy, Arvad is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. However, its inclusion in this passage provides insight into the geopolitical and commercial landscape of the ancient Near East during the time of Ezekiel's ministry.

All entries for Arvad: אַרְוַד