Bible Word Study
מֵרָב
Mêrâb · Merab, a daughter of Saul
מֵרָב
Merab, a daughter of Saul
Definition
Merab was the eldest daughter of King Saul, first mentioned in the list of Saul's children (1 Samuel 14:49). She was initially promised in marriage to David as a reward for his military valor against the Philistines (1 Samuel 18:17). However, Saul gave her instead to Adriel the Meholathite, breaking his promise, and later offered his younger daughter Michal to David (1 Samuel 18:19). Her story illustrates the political maneuvering within Saul's court and his attempts to entrap David.
Biblical Usage
The name Merab is used exclusively in the narrative of 1 Samuel concerning Saul's family and his dealings with David. It appears in three verses: first in a genealogical list (1 Samuel 14:49), and then in the account of Saul's broken promise to give her to David (1 Samuel 18:17, 18:19). Its usage is strictly as a proper name for this specific individual within the royal drama.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root רָבַב (rābab, H7231), meaning 'to be or become many, to multiply.' The name Merab likely means 'increase' or 'abundance,' a fitting name for a firstborn daughter in a royal household, reflecting hopes for progeny and prosperity.
Semantic Range
Merab's story, though brief, is theologically significant as part of the larger narrative of God's covenant faithfulness to David despite Saul's opposition. Saul's deceit in promising then withholding Merab (1 Samuel 18:17-19) exemplifies his failure as king and his attempt to thwart God's chosen successor. This episode contrasts human political schemes with divine providence, showing how God's plans advance despite broken promises and royal manipulation. As the firstborn daughter of the king, Merab was a valuable political asset. Promising her in marriage was a classic royal reward for military service, meant to bind a warrior like David to the throne. Saul's failure to follow through was a serious breach of honor and a public insult, damaging his credibility and further alienating David. Her subsequent marriage to Adriel served other political or familial alliances for Saul's house. Michal (Mîkāl, H4324) — Merab's younger sister, who actually married David. Both were daughters of Saul used as political pawns in his conflict with David.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]