Mearah
Mearah is an ancient city mentioned in the Old Testament, located in the region of Phoenicia in modern-day Lebanon. Known today as Jezzine. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Mearah appears in Joshua 13:4 within the description of land that remained unconquered after Joshua's initial campaigns in Canaan. The passage identifies "the cave that belongs to the Sidonians" (or "Mearah of the Sidonians") as part of the territory yet to be possessed, located in the northern reaches near Lebanon. The Hebrew word mearah means "cave," and the designation "of the Sidonians" connects it to the Phoenician sphere of influence. This unconquered region lay beyond the practical limits of Israelite expansion, in territory dominated by the powerful Phoenician city-states. God told the aging Joshua that this land still needed to be taken, reminding Israel that the conquest was incomplete (Joshua 13:1). The inclusion of Mearah among territories yet to be possessed reflects a broader biblical theme: God's promises are certain, but their full realization requires ongoing faithfulness. Israel never did conquer these northern Phoenician territories, and they remained outside Israelite control throughout the Old Testament period.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Mearah is traditionally identified with the region near Jezzine in modern-day Lebanon, approximately 40 kilometers south of Beirut in the mountainous terrain east of Sidon. The area is characterized by dramatic limestone cliffs and numerous natural caves, consistent with the Hebrew meaning of the name. Some scholars have specifically proposed Mughr Jezzine, a cluster of caves in the cliffs near the town. The Jezzine region sits at an elevation of roughly 950 meters and overlooks the coastal plain of ancient Phoenicia. Archaeological work in this area has been limited due to political instability in Lebanon, though the broader region of ancient Phoenicia has yielded significant finds at sites like Sidon and Byblos.
Verse Appearances (1)
Josh
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →