מַרְאָשָׁה
properly, headship, i.e. (plural for collective) dominion
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַרְאָשָׁה (marʼâshâh) fundamentally denotes 'headship' or 'dominion,' referring to a position of authority or rule. It is derived from the word for 'head' (רֹאשׁ, rosh), emphasizing leadership from the top. In its sole biblical occurrence in Jeremiah 13:18, it is used in the plural form to collectively signify 'principalities' or 'ruling powers,' specifically addressing the king and queen mother who are about to lose their exalted positions. The term encapsulates the concept of sovereign rule and the seat of authority.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Jeremiah 13:18. The prophet Jeremiah delivers a message of judgment to the king (likely Jehoiachin) and the queen mother, telling them to humble themselves because their 'crown' or 'beautiful crown'—their מַרְאָשׁוֹת (principalities)—will come down. The context is one of impending loss of royal dominion and national humiliation due to Judah's sin. The plural form poetically emphasizes the totality of their ruling authority.
Etymology
מַרְאָשָׁה is a denominative noun derived directly from רֹאשׁ (rosh, H7218), meaning 'head.' The formation indicates a state or condition related to the head, hence 'headship.' Cognates in other Semitic languages also relate to leadership or precedence. The meaning developed from the concrete anatomical 'head' to the abstract concept of 'rule' or 'supremacy,' a common metaphorical extension in Hebrew and many languages.
Semantic Range
This word, though rare, is theologically significant as it connects human authority directly to God's ultimate sovereignty. In Jeremiah 13:18, the loss of מַרְאָשָׁה serves as a powerful object lesson that all earthly dominion is subject to divine judgment. It underscores the biblical theme that God raises up and brings down rulers (Daniel 2:21). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of this passage by highlighting that the prophecy targets the very seat of Judah's leadership, making the warning more poignant.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the 'head' was a potent symbol of authority and preeminence. A king's rule was often described in terms of 'headship.' The address to both the king and queen mother in Jeremiah 13:18 reflects the important political role the queen mother could hold in Judah's monarchy (e.g., 1 Kings 2:19). The warning to them to 'sit down' or humble themselves would have been a shocking cultural reversal, as they were accustomed to seats of honor.
מֶמְשָׁלָה (memshalah, H4475) — denotes realm, dominion, or rule, often with a focus on the domain governed. רָאשׁ (rosh, H7218) — the root word meaning 'head,' used literally and for leaders or chiefs. מִשְׁלָה (mishlah, H4915) — authority or dominion, sometimes used for a ruler's jurisdiction.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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