עָרַם ʻâram — properly, to be (or make) bare
Translated in the KJV as × very, beware, take crafty, be prudent, deal subtilly.
a primitive root; properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea perhaps of smoothness) to be cunning (usually in a bad sense).
ʻâram in each stem
Qal (Pa'al)
Imperfect (yiqtol) 3Infinitive absolute 1
Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly.
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Hiph'il
Imperfect (yiqtol) 1
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
What the stems mean
A Hebrew verb is its root letters set into a pattern. The pattern — the binyan — is the grammar's way of saying three things at once: whether the action is simple, intensive or causative, and whether its subject is active, passive or reflexive. That is why one Hebrew word can need six English ones. All seven binyanim, explained ›