the same as מְעָרָה; cave; Mearah, a place in Palestine; Mearah.
Transliteration:Mᵉʻârâh
Pronunciation:meh-aw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4632}}` (מְעָרָה, *Mᵉʻârâh*) primarily denotes a "cave" or "cavern." This refers to a natural hollow or underground chamber, typically found in rock formations, cliffs, or hillsides. Its semantic range extends to encompass various functions and associations: a place of dwelling, refuge, hiding, or burial. In some instances, `{{H4632}}` also functions as a proper noun, referring to a specific geographical location named "Mearah" in ancient Palestine. The root likely conveys the idea of a "hollowed out" or "excavated" space.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H4632}}` appears numerous times throughout the Hebrew Bible, revealing its diverse roles in biblical narratives:
* **Burial Sites and Covenant:** The most significant theological use of `{{H4632}}` is the "Cave of Machpelah" in Hebron, purchased by Abraham as a burial plot for Sarah [[Genesis 23:9]], and subsequently becoming the tomb for Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob [[Genesis 23:19]], [[Genesis 25:9]], [[Genesis 49:29-30]], [[Genesis 50:13]]. This cave served as a tangible symbol of God's covenant promise of land to Abraham's descendants, even before its full inheritance.
* **Refuge and Hiding Places:**
* Lot and his daughters sought refuge in a cave after the destruction of Sodom [[Genesis 19:30]], highlighting a place of desperate survival.
* During times of oppression, Israelites hid in caves from their enemies, such as the Midianites [[Judges 6:2]] and the Philistines [[1 Samuel 13:6]].
* David famously sought refuge in the cave of Adullam [[1 Samuel 22:1]] and later in the cave of En-gedi [[1 Samuel 24:3]], where he demonstrated his character by sparing Saul. These narratives underscore caves as places of vulnerability, leadership formation, and divine protection.
* **Places of Judgment and Capture:** The five Amorite kings hid in a cave at Makkedah, only to be trapped and executed by Joshua [[Joshua 10:16-17]], [[Joshua 10:27]]. Here, the cave transforms from a sanctuary into a snare, symbolizing the inescapable nature of divine judgment.
* **Symbol of Fear and Futility:** The prophet Isaiah speaks of people fleeing into "caves of the rocks" and "holes of the earth" to hide from the terror and glory of the Lord on the day of judgment [[Isaiah 2:19]], [[Isaiah 2:21]]. This imagery emphasizes the futility of human attempts to escape divine wrath.
* **Geographical Marker:** `{{H4632}}` also designates a specific geographical location, "Mearah," mentioned as part of the territory of the Sidonians [[Joshua 13:4]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of a "cave" often intersects with other related terms and ideas in the Hebrew Bible:
* **`{{H5363}}` (נְקִיק, *neqiq*)**: "cleft," "fissure," or "cavern," often referring to a narrow opening or a deeper recess in rocks.
* **`{{H2356}}` (חוּר, *chur*)**: "hole" or "cavern," similar in meaning to a cave, often implying a smaller opening.
* **`{{H2338}}` (חֲצִיצָה, *chatzitzah*)**: "cleft" or "crack," sometimes used to describe a rocky fissure that might serve as a hiding place.
* **Refuge and Shelter:** The broader concept of finding safety, whether in natural formations, strongholds, or ultimately, in God.
* **Wilderness and Desolation:** Caves are often found in desolate, untamed regions, symbolizing periods of hardship, isolation, or divine judgment.
* **Burial and Death:** The association with tombs highlights the reality of mortality and the hope of resurrection.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4632}}` is remarkably rich and multifaceted:
* **Covenant and Inheritance:** The Cave of Machpelah stands as a foundational symbol of God's covenant faithfulness. It represents Abraham's first tangible possession of the Promised Land, a down payment on God's enduring promises, and a testament to the hope of a future inheritance and resurrection. The patriarchs and matriarchs resting there underscore the continuity of God's plan through generations.
* **Divine Providence and Protection:** In the narratives of David, caves become crucibles for leadership and faith. While seemingly places of vulnerability, they often serve as sites where God's providence is manifest, providing refuge and opportunities for David to demonstrate his trust and character (e.g., sparing Saul).
* **Human Vulnerability and Futility of Escape:** The use of caves as hiding places from human enemies or, more profoundly, from God's wrath, highlights the limits of human strength and the futility of attempting to evade divine judgment. Isaiah's prophetic pronouncements underscore that no earthly hiding place can shield humanity from the Lord's awesome power.
* **Spiritual Retreat and Transformation:** While not explicitly stated, the solitude and isolation of caves, as experienced by figures like David, can implicitly represent periods of spiritual introspection, testing, and transformation, where individuals are stripped of external comforts and forced to rely solely on God.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H4632}}` (מְעָרָה, *Mᵉʻârâh*), meaning "cave" or "cavern," serves as a potent symbol throughout the biblical narrative. From its primary function as a physical dwelling, refuge, or burial site, its significance expands to encompass profound theological themes. It is most notably the sacred resting place of the patriarchs and matriarchs, embodying God's covenant promises and the hope of inheritance. Beyond this, caves are depicted as places of desperate refuge, testing grounds for faith and leadership (as seen with David), and ultimately, as futile hiding places from divine judgment. The multifaceted occurrences of `{{H4632}}` underscore both human vulnerability and the unwavering nature of God's presence, whether in protection, provision, or righteous judgment.
TRV