### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַעֲרֶה (maʻăreh, `{{H4629}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb עָרָה (ʻārāh, `{{H6168}}`), meaning "to make bare," "uncover," or "empty." This etymological root provides the foundational understanding of מַעֲרֶה as a "nude place," signifying an area that is open, exposed, or uncultivated. Its semantic range extends to "a common" or "meadows," which are typically open, unwooded, and often uncultivated stretches of land. The core idea is one of exposure or lack of concealment, implying a clear, unobstructed space.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַעֲרֶה (maʻăreh, `{{H4629}}`) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Judges:
* **[[Judges 20:33]]:** "And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baal-tamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, even out of the meadows of Gibeah."
In this sole occurrence, "the meadows of Gibeah" (מִמַּעֲרֵה גֶבַע, *mim-maʻăreh geḇaʻ*) refers to a specific geographical location crucial to the strategy of the Israelites in their war against the tribe of Benjamin. The context describes an ambush, where the Israelite forces lay hidden and then emerged from these "meadows." This implies that the *maʻăreh* was an open, possibly flat or gently sloping area near Gibeah, suitable for military maneuvering and for concealing a large number of troops before a surprise attack. The Septuagint renders this phrase as "ἀπὸ τῆς γυμνώσεως Γαβαα" (from the nakedness/bareness of Gibeah), which precisely captures the root meaning of an exposed or uncultivated area. The choice of such a place for an ambush highlights its strategic utility as an open, yet potentially concealed, staging ground.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root עָרָה (ʻārāh, `{{H6168}}`), from which מַעֲרֶה (maʻăreh, `{{H4629}}`) is derived. This root signifies the act of uncovering, emptying, or making bare. Other significant terms stemming from this root include:
* **עֶרְוָה (ʻervāh, `{{H6172}}`):** Meaning "nakedness," "shame," or "indecency." This term frequently appears in contexts of moral or physical exposure, often with negative connotations (e.g., [[Genesis 9:22]], [[Leviticus 18:6]]). While *maʻăreh* denotes a physical space, *ʻervāh* often refers to a state of being or an action of exposure, especially in a shameful sense.
* **עָרוֹם (ʻārōm, `{{H6174}}`):** An adjective meaning "naked" or "bare" (e.g., [[Genesis 2:25]]).
* **עֶרֶם (ʻērem, `{{H6194}}`):** Meaning "a heap," often of grain, suggesting something poured out or accumulated in an open, exposed manner.
The conceptual link across these words is the idea of "bareness" or "uncovering." While *maʻăreh* refers to a physical landscape that is open and uncultivated, the broader semantic field includes notions of vulnerability, exposure, and even shame, depending on the specific derived term and its context. In the case of *maʻăreh*, the "bareness" of the land facilitates military operations rather than denoting shame.
### Theological Significance
Given its singular occurrence, the theological significance of מַעֲרֶה (maʻăreh, `{{H4629}}`) is not explicitly developed as a distinct theological concept. However, its context within [[Judges 20:33]] allows for some insightful reflection. The "meadows of Gibeah" are not merely a geographical marker but a stage for a pivotal event in Israel's history – a devastating civil war brought about by profound moral corruption (cf. [[Judges 19]]).
The "bareness" or "openness" of the *maʻăreh* can be seen metaphorically. In a period marked by spiritual decline, where "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" ([[Judges 21:25]]), the land itself, in its "bareness," might subtly reflect the spiritual desolation and moral exposure of the nation. The conflict at Gibeah is a divine judgment on the extreme wickedness of Benjamin, and the "meadows" become a site where this judgment is executed through human conflict. It is a place of strategic violence, where the hidden forces of Israel emerge to confront the exposed sin of Benjamin. Thus, while not a theological term in itself, *maʻăreh* serves as a physical backdrop to a narrative deeply embedded with themes of sin, judgment, and the consequences of apostasy in the land.
### Summary
מַעֲרֶה (maʻăreh, `{{H4629}}`) is a rare Hebrew noun derived from the root "to make bare" or "uncover." It denotes an open, uncultivated, or "bare" place, typically translated as "meadows" or "a common." Its sole biblical appearance in [[Judges 20:33]] describes a strategic location near Gibeah, used by the Israelite army for an ambush. While not a term with explicit theological meaning, its context within the narrative of the Judges period underscores its role as a physical space where divine judgment unfolds. The "bareness" of the *maʻăreh* can subtly reflect the spiritual and moral exposure of a nation undergoing a period of severe internal strife and divine chastisement.
TRV