### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H4176 (מוֹרֶה, *Môwreh*) is a proper noun, primarily identifying a specific geographical location in the land of Canaan. The base definition indicates it refers to "Moreh, a Canaanite; also a hill (perhaps named from him); Moreh." This suggests a dual application: potentially a person after whom the place was named, and the place itself. While the root ירה (*yarah*), from which מוֹרֶה can derive, carries meanings related to "throwing, casting, shooting," and in the Hiphil stem, "teaching" or "instructing" (cf. H4177), for H4176, the semantic range is strictly limited to its use as a proper noun for a person and, more prominently, a geographical landmark. It is not used in the sense of "teacher" or "early rain" (H4175) in this specific Strong's number.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
H4176 appears in three significant contexts within the Hebrew Bible, each highlighting its importance as a geographical marker for pivotal events in Israel's history:
1. **[[Genesis 12:6]]**: "Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the terebinth of Moreh." This is the inaugural mention of Moreh. It marks Abraham's first significant stop within the land of Canaan after entering from Haran. Here, Yahweh appears to Abraham and explicitly reiterates the covenant promise of the land to his offspring. The "terebinth of Moreh" (אֵלוֹן מוֹרֶה) signifies a sacred or prominent grove, often associated with divine revelation or significant gatherings in the ancient Near East. Its location near Shechem places it in the heart of the central hill country, a strategic and fertile region.
2. **[[Deuteronomy 11:30]]**: "Are they not beyond the Jordan, by the way of the setting sun, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the terebinths of Moreh?" Moses uses "the terebinths of Moreh" (אֵלוֹנֵי מוֹרֶה) as a precise geographical reference point for the future ceremony of blessings and curses on Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. This further underscores Moreh's recognition as a well-known, established landmark, reinforcing its connection to the promise and possession of the land.
3. **[[Judges 7:1]]**: "Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh." Here, Moreh is identified as "the hill of Moreh" (גִּבְעַת הַמּוֹרֶה). This location serves as the backdrop for Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites. It is a strategic military position where Gideon's vastly outnumbered forces encamped, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people through unconventional means.
Across these occurrences, Moreh consistently functions as a fixed geographical point, central to divine revelation, covenant fulfillment, and miraculous deliverance. The shift from "terebinth" to "hill" suggests the name applied to a broader area encompassing various prominent features.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H4175 (מוֹרֶה - *mowreh*):** This word, while sharing the same consonants, means "early rain" or "first rain." Its distinct meaning highlights the critical role of context and vocalization in distinguishing Hebrew words.
* **H4177 (מוֹרֶה - *mowreh*):** This word means "teacher" or "archer," derived from the root ירה (*yarah*), "to teach" or "to shoot." While H4176 is a proper noun, it is plausible that the place "Moreh" received its name from this root, perhaps signifying a place of instruction, revelation, or a prominent leader/teacher.
* **H352 (אֵלוֹן - *'elon*):** "terebinth" or "oak." This word is frequently associated with Moreh (אֵלוֹן מוֹרֶה), pointing to a significant tree or grove, often serving as a sacred site or landmark in ancient Israel.
* **H1389 (גִּבְעָה - *gib'ah*):** "hill." Used in [[Judges 7:1]], this term specifies the topographical feature of Moreh in that context.
* **Shechem**: The city often associated with the "terebinth of Moreh" in [[Genesis 12:6]] and the general area of the blessings and curses in [[Deuteronomy 11:30]]. Shechem itself is a place of significant covenant renewal and historical events in Israel's narrative.
### Theological Significance
The geographical location of Moreh carries profound theological significance:
1. **Site of Divine Revelation and Covenant Initiation**: The appearance of Yahweh to Abraham at the "terebinth of Moreh" ([[Genesis 12:6]]) marks a foundational moment in salvation history. It is here, upon entering the promised land, that God confirms His covenant with Abraham, establishing the patriarch's lineage as the chosen people and the land as their inheritance. Moreh thus becomes a sacred locus, symbolizing the commencement of God's redemptive plan for humanity through Abraham and his descendants.
2. **Symbol of God's Faithfulness to His Promises**: Its repeated mention as a geographical marker, particularly in [[Deuteronomy 11:30]], underscores the tangible reality of God's promise of the land to Israel. It serves as a constant reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and the physical manifestation of His divine word.
3. **Place of Divine Deliverance**: In [[Judges 7:1]], the "hill of Moreh" is the staging ground for Gideon's miraculous victory. This narrative highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds, demonstrating that victory comes not by human strength but by divine intervention. The choice of Moreh for this decisive battle further cements its role as a place where God actively works on behalf of His people.
4. **Potential for Instruction**: While speculative, the possible etymological link to "teaching" (H4177) could subtly suggest that Moreh was a place where God "taught" or "instructed" His people through direct revelation (to Abraham) and through powerful acts of deliverance (for Gideon).
### Summary
H4176 (מוֹרֶה, *Môwreh*) is a significant Hebrew proper noun referring to a prominent geographical location in the land of Canaan, identified as both a "terebinth/oak" grove and a "hill." Its biblical occurrences are pivotal: it is the site where God first appeared to Abraham in Canaan to confirm the land promise ([[Genesis 12:6]]), a key geographical marker for the promised land in Moses' instruction ([[Deuteronomy 11:30]]), and the strategic encampment for Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites ([[Judges 7:1]]). The name Moreh, potentially linked to the root meaning "to teach" or "instruct," thus symbolizes a place of divine revelation, covenant faithfulness, and God's active presence in the history of His people, particularly in the context of the promised land and divine deliverance.
TRV