עֵרָבוֹןeravon meaning in Biblical Hebrew
a pledge handed over as security for a promise · noun, masculine
Also spelled in English: arrabon
A promise with an object attached. Tamar won't take Judah's word for the goat; she wants his seal, his cord and his staff, and she keeps them.
אִם־תִּתֵּן עֵרָבוֹן עַד שָׁלְחֶֽךָ׃
“If you give a pledge until you send it." — Genesis 38:17 (Tamar to Judah)”
Think of a time you gave or received a pledge. What was the object, and what was the promise?