מִרְעֶה

מִרְעֶה

pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals

Definition

The Hebrew noun מִרְעֶה (mirʻeh) primarily means 'pasture' or 'grazing land,' referring to a place where livestock are fed and tended. It can denote both the physical location (e.g., Genesis 47:4, where Joseph's brothers request pasture in Egypt) and the act of pasturing itself. In some contexts, it extends to the 'haunt' or 'feeding ground' of wild animals, as seen in Job 39:8, which describes the mountain ranges as the habitat of the wild ox. This dual sense of cultivated pasture and untamed wilderness highlights the word's range from domestic provision to natural habitat.

Biblical Usage

מִרְעֶה appears 11 times in the Old Testament, often in narratives about land and provision. It is used in historical books like Genesis 47:4 and 1 Chronicles 4:39-41, where it describes pasturelands sought for flocks. In poetic and prophetic texts, it carries symbolic weight: Isaiah 32:14 uses it for the desolate haunts of wild animals, contrasting with former security, while Ezekiel 34:14 portrays God as the shepherd who provides good pasture for His sheep. Lamentations 1:6 metaphorically describes Jerusalem's princes as having 'no pasture,' emphasizing loss and exile.

Etymology

מִרְעֶה derives from the root רָעָה (rāʻâ, H7462), meaning 'to feed,' 'to tend,' or 'to shepherd.' It is a noun formed from the verbal idea of grazing or pasturing, indicating a place or action related to feeding. Cognates in other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic and Aramaic, show similar meanings for pasture or grazing, underscoring its agricultural and pastoral origins in the ancient Near East.

Semantic Range

מִרְעֶה is theologically significant as it often illustrates God's role as the provider and shepherd of His people. In passages like Ezekiel 34:14, God promises to be the shepherd who leads Israel to 'good pasture,' symbolizing spiritual nourishment, security, and care. This imagery enriches understanding of biblical metaphors for divine provision and guidance, connecting physical sustenance in the land with God's covenantal faithfulness. The contrast between pasture for flocks and haunts for wild animals also reflects themes of order versus chaos, blessing versus desolation. In ancient Israelite culture, pasture was essential for survival, as society relied heavily on livestock for food, clothing, and trade. מִרְעֶה would have evoked images of open, fertile lands where shepherds guided their flocks—a symbol of prosperity and peace. The mention of wild animal haunts (e.g., Isaiah 32:14) reflects the reality of wilderness areas bordering settled regions, where danger and desolation contrasted with the safety of cultivated pastures. This cultural backdrop helps modern readers appreciate the word's emotional and practical resonance in biblical texts. נָוֶה (nāweh, H5116) — dwelling, pasture, often with a sense of habitation and security; מַרְעִית (marʻîth, H4830) — pasture, grazing, a less common synonym from the same root; דֶּשֶׁא (desheʼ, H1877) — grass, new grass, focusing on the vegetation rather than the place.

Word Details