מְרֵמוֹת
Meremoth, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Meremoth is a proper name given to two significant Israelites in the post-exilic period. The first is a priest, son of Uriah, who assisted in the inventory of temple treasures (Ezra 8:33) and helped repair the wall of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:4, 21). The second is an Israelite who had married a foreign wife, a practice condemned during Ezra's reforms (Ezra 10:36). The name also appears in lists of those who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:5) and in a priestly genealogy (Nehemiah 12:3), though it is unclear if these refer to the same individuals or additional figures.
Biblical Usage
The name Meremoth is used exclusively in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which detail the restoration of Judah after the Babylonian exile. It appears in contexts of priestly service, temple administration, and communal covenant. For example, Meremoth the priest is entrusted with weighing silver and gold brought to Jerusalem (Ezra 8:33) and participates in rebuilding the city wall (Nehemiah 3:4). Another Meremoth is listed among those who had to divorce their foreign wives (Ezra 10:36), highlighting the tension between assimilation and religious purity.
Etymology
Meremoth (מְרֵמוֹת) is a plural form derived from the Hebrew root רוּם (rûm, H7311), meaning 'to be high' or 'to rise.' The name essentially means 'heights' or 'exaltations.' As a proper name, it likely carried a positive, aspirational connotation, possibly expressing a hope for the individual's elevated status or character.
Semantic Range
The figures named Meremoth embody key themes of the Restoration period: faithful stewardship and the struggle for holiness. The priest Meremoth models responsible leadership in sacred duties (Ezra 8:33) and national rebuilding (Nehemiah 3:4). In contrast, the other Meremoth (Ezra 10:36) represents the community's failure to maintain separation from foreign influences, a breach of covenant that required corporate repentance. Their stories collectively highlight the tension between God's call to be a holy people and the practical challenges of living that out in a pluralistic world.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. A name meaning 'heights' could express parental hopes for a child's future prominence or moral stature. The appearance of individuals with this name in priestly and administrative roles post-exile suggests they belonged to families of some standing who returned from Babylon to reestablish Judean society and worship.
Elyon (עֶלְיוֹן, H5945) — A title for God meaning 'Most High,' sharing the root concept of height but applied uniquely to divine supremacy. Ram (רָם, H7311) — The adjectival form of the same root, meaning 'high' or 'exalted,' often used literally or for human pride.
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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