{
  "id": "dict_002864",
  "term": "Jareb",
  "slug": "jareb",
  "letter": "J",
  "entry_type": "biblical_term",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "An obscure term in Hosea, usually understood as a title or descriptive epithet for the Assyrian king rather than a clearly identified personal name.",
  "simple_one_line": "An obscure Hosea term usually taken as a title or epithet for the king of Assyria.",
  "tooltip_text": "An obscure word in Hosea 5:13 and 10:6, commonly understood as a title or epithet for the Assyrian king.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Assyria",
    "Hosea",
    "Israel",
    "repentance",
    "trust in God"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Assyria",
    "Hosea",
    "Isaiah 31",
    "2 Kings 15–17"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Jareb is an obscure term found in Hosea’s references to Assyria. Most interpreters treat it as a title or descriptive epithet for the Assyrian king, though its exact sense is uncertain.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A debated Hebrew term in Hosea that likely identifies the Assyrian ruler in a descriptive way.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Appears in Hosea 5:13 and 10:6",
    "Usually connected with the king of Assyria",
    "Exact meaning is uncertain",
    "Hosea’s point is Israel’s misplaced trust in human power rather than in the Lord"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Jareb occurs in Hosea 5:13 and 10:6 in the phrase often rendered “king Jareb” or understood as “the king who contends/avenges.” The word is obscure, and many interpreters treat it as a title, epithet, or descriptive designation for the Assyrian king. The theological emphasis of the passages lies in Israel’s appeal to foreign power instead of the Lord.",
  "description_academic_full": "Jareb is an obscure term in Hosea 5:13 and 10:6. In context it appears in the expression often translated “King Jareb,” which most conservative interpreters understand as referring to the Assyrian king, whether as a proper name, a throne title, or a descriptive epithet. Because the Hebrew is difficult, the exact etymology and nuance remain debated. The broader point in Hosea is clear: Israel turned to Assyria for help instead of repenting and trusting the Lord. Jareb, therefore, is best treated as a lexical and historical question within Hosea rather than as a major theological concept.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Hosea repeatedly confronts Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness and political compromise. In the passages where Jareb appears, the prophet highlights Judah or Israel seeking help from Assyria rather than from the covenant Lord.",
  "background_historical_context": "The reference fits the Assyrian period, when smaller kingdoms in the region often appealed to imperial powers for protection. Hosea warns that such alliances would not save Israel.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "Ancient readers and later Jewish interpreters generally recognized the phrase as difficult. The wording has been explained in several ways, but the prophetic thrust of Hosea remains the same regardless of the exact lexical choice.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Hosea 5:13",
    "Hosea 10:6"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "2 Kings 15–17",
    "Isaiah 10:5–11"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The Hebrew term behind Jareb is uncertain in sense. It is often linked to the idea of contending, defending, or avenging, but the exact form and function are debated.",
  "theological_significance": "Jareb underscores a recurring biblical theme: God’s people must not place ultimate confidence in political alliances, military strength, or human rescue. Hosea uses the term within a rebuke of misplaced trust.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "The term itself is not a doctrine, but it illustrates a moral and epistemic error: relying on visible power rather than on God’s covenant faithfulness and word.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not overstate certainty about the word’s precise meaning. The main interpretive point is the passage’s message, not a dogmatic claim about the exact lexical nuance of Jareb.",
  "major_views_note": "Common views understand Jareb as a proper name, a throne title, or a descriptive epithet for the Assyrian king. Because the Hebrew is difficult, translations and commentaries vary.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be used to build doctrine from a debated lexical detail. The text’s clear teaching is about trust, repentance, and the futility of relying on foreign power apart from God.",
  "practical_significance": "Jareb serves as a reminder to resist the temptation to place final confidence in governments, alliances, wealth, or strategy instead of in the Lord.",
  "meta_description": "Jareb is an obscure term in Hosea, usually understood as a title or epithet for the Assyrian king.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/jareb/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/jareb.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}