or מַרֵשָׁה; formed like מַרְאָשָׁה; summit; Mareshah, the name of two Israelites and of a place in Palestine; Mareshah.
Transliteration:Marʼêshâh
Pronunciation:mar-ay-shaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַרְאֵשָׁה (Marʼêshâh, `{{H4762}}`) is primarily understood as a proper noun, designating both a geographical location and at least one individual in the biblical text. Its base definition, "summit," derives from a root meaning "head" or "top," similar to `{{H4761}}` (Mar'ashah, "head-rest") and ultimately from `{{H7218}}` (ro'sh, "head, chief"). This etymological connection suggests an elevated or prominent position. While its root signifies a common noun for a high point or apex, its usage in the Bible is almost exclusively as a proper name. This transition from a descriptive term to a specific identifier is a common linguistic phenomenon in biblical toponymy, where geographical features often lend their names to settlements. Thus, the semantic range shifts from a general concept of "summit" to the specific identity of a city or person named "Mareshah," presumably due to their association with a high place.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word Marʼêshâh (Mareshah) appears seven times in the Hebrew Bible, predominantly referring to a significant city in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah, and once as a personal name.
1. **As a City:**
* **Tribal Allotment:** Mareshah is first mentioned as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah, situated in the Shephelah region ([[Joshua 15:44]]). This placement indicates its strategic importance within Judah's territory.
* **Rehoboam's Fortifications:** King Rehoboam fortified Mareshah, among other cities, highlighting its role as a defensive stronghold in the southern kingdom of Judah ([[2 Chronicles 11:8]]). This underscores its strategic value for protecting the kingdom's borders.
* **Asa's Victory:** Most notably, Mareshah was the location of a decisive victory for King Asa of Judah against Zerah the Cushite and his vast army. The battle took place in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah ([[2 Chronicles 14:9]], [[2 Chronicles 14:10]]). This event is a powerful testament to God's deliverance and Asa's faith.
* **Prophetic Utterance:** The prophet Micah includes Mareshah in his oracle of judgment against various cities of Judah and Samaria ([[Micah 1:15]]). Micah's lament often employs wordplay, and the mention of Mareshah in this context, possibly alluding to its "summit" meaning or a related word for "inheritance" (מוֹרָשָׁה, *morasha*), suggests impending dispossession or a change of ownership for the city.
2. **As a Personal Name:**
* Mareshah is also listed in the genealogies of Judah as a son of Caleb (or more accurately, a descendant who founded Mareshah, the father of Hebron) in [[1 Chronicles 2:42]]. This indicates a personal identity associated with the foundational history of the tribe. While the Strong's definition mentions "two Israelites," the clearest individual named Mareshah is found here. The reference in [[2 Chronicles 20:37]] to "Dodavahu of Mareshah" refers to a person *from* the city, not a person *named* Mareshah.
Contextually, the city of Mareshah served as a vital administrative and military center in the Shephelah, a region characterized by its undulating hills and strategic passes. Its enduring presence in historical and prophetic texts underscores its significance in the narrative of Judah.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מַרְאֵשָׁה (Marʼêshâh, `{{H4762}}`) is its root, רֹאשׁ (ro'sh, `{{H7218}}`), meaning "head" or "top." This root is foundational to many Hebrew words denoting preeminence, beginning, or elevation.
* **`{{H4761}}` (Mar'ashah):** This related term, meaning "head-rest" or "pillow," shares the same morphological structure and root, further emphasizing the concept of a "head-place" or something associated with the head.
* **Geographical Terms:** Concepts related to elevated terrain, such as הַר (har, `{{H2022}}`, "mountain") or גִּבְעָה (gib'ah, `{{H1389}}`, "hill"), are conceptually linked, as Mareshah, though in the lowlands, was likely situated on a tell or elevated mound, embodying its "summit" etymology.
* **Cities of the Shephelah:** Mareshah is often mentioned alongside other fortified cities of the Shephelah, such as Lachish, Azekah, and Gath, highlighting a network of strategic locations in Judah's defense.
* **Divine Deliverance:** The narrative of Asa's victory connects Mareshah to the broader theme of divine intervention in battle, often seen in accounts of Israel's history (e.g., the defeat of the Philistines at Ebenezer, or the victory over the Ammonites and Moabites in Jehoshaphat's time).
* **Prophetic Judgment:** Micah's prophecy places Mareshah within the wider prophetic discourse concerning God's judgment upon His people for their unfaithfulness, a common theme in the prophetic books.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Mareshah, though primarily a proper noun, is woven into the narratives in which it appears.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance:** The most profound theological implication arises from the account of King Asa's victory over the Cushite army at Mareshah ([[2 Chronicles 14:9-13]]). This event serves as a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness and omnipotence. Asa's prayer, "O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude" ([[2 Chronicles 14:11]]), underscores the theological principle that victory belongs to the Lord. Mareshah thus becomes a historical marker of divine intervention, where God's power is manifested through the faith of His people, regardless of overwhelming odds.
2. **Prophetic Warning and Justice:** Micah's inclusion of Mareshah in his oracle of judgment ([[Micah 1:15]]) highlights God's justice and His covenant faithfulness, which includes both blessing for obedience and discipline for rebellion. The prophet's wordplay, possibly connecting Mareshah (summit) with concepts of inheritance or dispossession, serves as a poignant reminder that even strategic and historically significant cities are subject to God's righteous judgment. It signifies the impending consequences of Israel's spiritual decline.
3. **Genealogical Continuity:** The mention of Mareshah as a personal name in the genealogies of Judah ([[1 Chronicles 2:42]]) reinforces the importance of lineage and the continuity of God's covenant with His chosen people. These genealogies are not mere lists but attest to God's enduring plan and the unfolding of His redemptive history through specific families and their descendants.
In essence, Mareshah, whether as a strategic city or a foundational ancestor, stands as a testament to God's active involvement in the history of His people, demonstrating His power to deliver, His commitment to justice, and His faithfulness to His covenant.
### Summary
The Hebrew term מַרְאֵשָׁה (Marʼêshâh, `{{H4762}}`) fundamentally means "summit," deriving from the root "head" (`{{H7218}}`). While its etymology points to an elevated position, its primary biblical usage is as a proper noun. It designates a significant city in the Shephelah of Judah, first listed in the tribal inheritance ([[Joshua 15:44]]), later fortified by Rehoboam ([[2 Chronicles 11:8]]), and most notably, serving as the site of King Asa's miraculous victory over the Cushite army, a testament to divine deliverance ([[2 Chronicles 14:9]], [[2 Chronicles 14:10]]). The prophet Micah also mentions Mareshah in a context of impending judgment, possibly with a prophetic wordplay ([[Micah 1:15]]). Additionally, Mareshah appears as a personal name in the genealogies of Judah ([[1 Chronicles 2:42]]), underscoring the continuity of covenant lineage. Theologically, Mareshah serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty, His intervention on behalf of His faithful people, and His righteous judgment, even as it reflects the historical and strategic realities of ancient Judah.
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