The Hebrew word Mᵉkêrâthîy, represented by H4382, is a patrial term for a Mecherathite. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The word signifies an inhabitant of a place named Mekerah; this patrial is derived from an unused name for a location in Palestine.
The sole appearance of H4382 is in a list of names found in 1 Chronicles 11:36. The term is used to provide a specific identity for a man named Hepher. In the text, he is called "Hepher the Mecherathite," distinguishing him from other individuals in this historical record.
Several related words appear alongside H4382 in its only context, helping to clarify its function:
- H2660 Chêpher: This is the proper name of the individual identified by the term Mecherathite. Hepher is also the name of a place in Palestine and other Israelites 1 Chronicles 11:36.
- H281 ʼĂchîyâh: The name of another person listed in the same verse, identified as "Ahijah" 1 Chronicles 11:36.
- H6397 Pᵉlôwnîy: A term that functions just like Mecherathite, this patrial identifies Ahijah as a Pelonite, or an inhabitant of an unknown place called Palon 1 Chronicles 11:36.
The significance of H4382 is not theological but rather scribal and historical, highlighting the precision of the text.
- Specific Identification: The primary function of the word is to provide a unique identifier for Hepher. By linking him to the land of Mekerah, it distinguishes him with geographic specificity.
- Illustrative of Patrial Use: It serves as a clear example of a patrial, a common biblical method of identifying a person by their city or region of origin. This is reinforced by the use of "the Pelonite" H6397 in the same verse.
- Preservation of Detail: The inclusion of such a rare term demonstrates the meticulous nature of the biblical record, preserving names and origins that would otherwise be lost to history.
In summary, H4382 is a highly specific term whose importance lies in its function as a unique identifier. As the patrial Mᵉkêrâthîy, it provides the geographic origin for Hepher in the list recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:36. Its singular use alongside other names and patrials underscores the detailed and precise nature of biblical genealogical records.
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