מְעָרָה
Mearah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Mearah is a proper noun referring to a specific location in ancient Palestine, mentioned only once in the Bible. The name itself means 'cave' or 'cavern,' derived from the common Hebrew noun for a cave. It is listed in Joshua 13:4 as part of the territory that remained unconquered by the Israelites at the end of Joshua's campaigns, specifically associated with the land of the Sidonians. This single reference marks it as a geographical place name, not a term with multiple senses.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 13:4. It appears in a list of regions and peoples that Israel had yet to possess. The context is a divine inventory of the remaining Canaanite territories given by God to Joshua, placing Mearah in a geopolitical and military framework. There are no patterns of usage across different books, as it is a unique, singular reference.
Etymology
Mearah (מְעָרָה) is directly derived from the identical common noun (H4631) meaning 'cave,' 'den,' or 'cavern.' As a place name, it follows a common Hebrew pattern where locations are named after geographical features. Its etymology suggests the site was likely known for its cave or cavernous terrain.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a mundane place name, its single biblical occurrence in Joshua 13:4 carries theological weight. It is part of the inventory of unpossessed land, underscoring the theme of incomplete conquest and the ongoing need for Israel to trust and obey God to fully receive His promises. It reminds readers that God's promises are specific and geographical, yet their fulfillment often requires faithful action across generations.
In the ancient Near East, caves were significant as natural shelters, burial sites, and sometimes cultic locations. A place named 'Cave' likely denoted a settlement or region characterized by such terrain, possibly offering strategic defensive advantages. Its association with the Sidonians (Phoenicians) in Joshua 13:4 places it in the northern coastal region, reflecting the cultural and political landscape of Canaan during the conquest period.
מְעָרָה (Mᵉʻârâh, H4631) — the common noun for 'cave,' from which the place name is derived.
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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