מְרַאֲשָׁה

properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow)

Definition

The Hebrew noun מְרַאֲשָׁה refers to an object placed at the head, specifically a headrest, bolster, or pillow used during sleep. In its primary sense, it denotes the physical stone Jacob used as a headrest at Bethel (Genesis 28:11, 18), which he later set up as a sacred pillar. In a distinct, adverbial usage, the plural form 'מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו' (mᵉraʼăshōthāyw) means 'at his head' or 'near his head,' describing the location where objects like a jug of water (1 Kings 19:6) or Saul's spear (1 Samuel 26:7, 11) were placed. This dual function as both a concrete object and a locative phrase is central to its biblical usage.

Biblical Usage

This word appears eight times in the Old Testament, primarily in narrative contexts. It is used concretely for Jacob's stone pillow in Genesis 28. In 1 Samuel, it appears in the plural form in the stories of David sparing Saul, referring to the place 'at the head' where Saul's spear and water jug were positioned during sleep (1 Samuel 26:7, 11, 16). The same adverbial plural is used for the location of the household idols Michal placed in David's bed (1 Samuel 19:13, 16). In 1 Kings 19:6, an angel places a cake and jar of water 'at the head' of the exhausted Elijah.

Etymology

The word מְרַאֲשָׁה is a feminine noun derived from the preposition 'מִן' (min, 'from') and 'רֹאשׁ' (ro'sh, 'head'), essentially meaning 'that which is from/at the head.' It is formed like its masculine counterpart, מַרְאָשָׁה (H4761), which has the same meaning. The connection to the root for 'head' is clear in both its concrete sense (a head-rest) and its adverbial, locative sense ('at the head').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant in the story of Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:11-18). The ordinary stone used as a מְרַאֲשָׁה becomes the foundation for a sacred pillar ('מַצֵּבָה') after Jacob's vision, marking the location as 'the house of God' (Bethel). This transformation of a mundane object associated with rest into a monument of divine encounter highlights God's presence in ordinary places and moments. Understanding the term enriches the narrative, showing the physical setup of Jacob's sleep and the profound shift from personal rest to covenantal memorial.

In the ancient Near East, a headrest was a common item for sleep, often made of stone, wood, or bundled cloth. Unlike modern soft pillows, these were often hard supports that elevated the head. The biblical accounts reflect this, with Jacob using a stone. The cultural practice of placing valuable items (like a spear or water) 'at the head' of a sleeping person indicates a place of security and immediate access, functioning as a bedside table. This differs from a modern understanding of a 'pillow' as primarily for comfort.

מַרְאָשָׁה (mar'ashah, H4761) — A masculine noun with identical meaning ('head-place, pillow'). מַרְגְלָה (margᵉlâh, H4772) — Means 'place of the feet' or 'bolster at the feet,' forming a complementary pair with מְרַאֲשָׁה (e.g., 1 Samuel 19:13).

Word Details

Scripture References