formed like מַרְאָשָׁה; properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow); bolster, head, pillow. Compare מַרְגְלָה.
Transliteration:mᵉraʼăshâh
Pronunciation:mer-ah-ash-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉraʼăshâh), Strong's `{{H4763}}`, is derived from the root ראשׁ (ro'sh), meaning "head" or "top." As such, its core meaning relates to something positioned "at the head" or serving as a "head-rest." The word functions as a noun, but its usage often carries an adverbial sense, indicating a location "at one's head" or "from one's head." Its semantic range includes "head-rest," "pillow," "bolster," or simply "the place at the head." This term stands in direct conceptual contrast to `{{H4764}}` (margelâh), which signifies "at the feet" or "footrest," thereby establishing a clear spatial orientation within the personal space of an individual, particularly during rest or sleep.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מְרַאֲשָׁה (`{{H4763}}`) appears a handful of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in narratives involving sleep or personal space.
1. **Jacob's Dream at Bethel:** The most iconic usage is found in the account of Jacob's flight from Esau. In [[Genesis 28:11]], it is stated that Jacob "took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head" (מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו). This humble stone, serving as his pillow, becomes the site of his profound dream of a ladder to heaven and God's renewed covenant promises. Later, in [[Genesis 28:18]], Jacob sets up this same stone as a pillar, anointing it, transforming his מְרַאֲשָׁה into "Bethel," the house of God.
2. **Michal's Deception:** In [[1 Samuel 19:13]] and [[1 Samuel 19:16]], Michal, David's wife, uses a teraphim (an idol or household god) and a goat hair מְרַאֲשָׁה to create a dummy in David's bed, deceiving Saul's messengers into believing David is ill. Here, the מְרַאֲשָׁה refers to the head-place of the bed, where one would normally rest their head, indicating the precise location of the deception.
3. **David and Saul in the Wilderness:** The term appears multiple times in the account of David sparing Saul's life in the wilderness of Ziph. In [[1 Samuel 26:7]], [[1 Samuel 26:11]], [[1 Samuel 26:12]], and [[1 Samuel 26:16]], David takes Saul's spear and water jug from "at his head" (מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו) while Saul is deep in sleep. This highlights Saul's extreme vulnerability and David's proximity, emphasizing the sanctity of the king's personal space and the gravity of David's decision not to harm God's anointed.
Across these contexts, מְרַאֲשָׁה consistently denotes a physical object or location immediately adjacent to a person's head, often while they are resting or sleeping, underscoring themes of vulnerability, personal space, and divine encounter.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for מְרַאֲשָׁה (`{{H4763}}`) is its root, ראשׁ (ro'sh), which means "head," "chief," or "top." This etymological link firmly establishes the core meaning of the word.
A crucial related term is `{{H4764}}` (margelâh), which signifies "at the feet" or "footrest." The pairing of מְרַאֲשָׁה (at the head) and מַרְגְלָה (at the feet) creates a semantic field that defines the full length of a reclining or sleeping body, emphasizing spatial orientation and personal boundaries.
Concepts associated with מְרַאֲשָׁה include:
* **Sleep and Rest:** The most common context for its appearance.
* **Vulnerability:** As seen in Saul's deep sleep, the area at the head is a point of extreme exposure.
* **Personal Space:** The objects placed at one's מְרַאֲשָׁה are intimately associated with the individual.
* **Divine Encounter:** Most profoundly in Jacob's narrative, where an ordinary object becomes sacred through God's presence.
* **Deception:** As demonstrated by Michal's ruse.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מְרַאֲשָׁה (`{{H4763}}`) is most vividly demonstrated in the narrative of Jacob's dream at Bethel. The stone Jacob uses as his מְרַאֲשָׁה in [[Genesis 28:11]] is transformed from a mundane object of comfort into a sacred pillar marking a place of profound divine revelation ([[Genesis 28:18-19]]). This highlights several key theological insights:
* **God's Immanence:** God meets humanity in their ordinary, even vulnerable, circumstances. Jacob, a fugitive sleeping on a hard stone, encounters the Lord in a powerful vision. The מְרַאֲשָׁה becomes the focal point of this divine encounter, signifying that even the most common objects and humble settings can become sacred spaces where God reveals Himself.
* **Covenant Renewal:** The dream at Bethel, centered around Jacob's מְרַאֲשָׁה, serves as a pivotal moment for the reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant to Jacob, emphasizing God's faithfulness and promises.
* **Vulnerability and Providence:** In the account of David and Saul, the מְרַאֲשָׁה marks Saul's extreme vulnerability in sleep. David's decision not to strike Saul, despite having easy access to his most personal space, underscores his reverence for God's anointed and God's ultimate sovereignty over the king's life. It implicitly speaks to God's providence, even over those who are acting contrary to His will.
* **The Sacred in the Mundane:** The word reminds us that the divine is not confined to temples or grand spectacles but can intersect with human life in the most ordinary and intimate moments, transforming the commonplace into the holy.
### Summary
מְרַאֲשָׁה (mᵉraʼăshâh), `{{H4763}}`, is a Hebrew noun denoting a "head-rest" or, more broadly, the "place at one's head." Derived from the word for "head" (ראשׁ), it consistently marks a specific spatial orientation, particularly in contexts of sleep or rest. Its most profound biblical usage is in the account of Jacob's dream in [[Genesis 28:11]], where a simple stone serving as his מְרַאֲשָׁה becomes the site of a transformative divine encounter and covenant renewal, demonstrating God's presence and activity even in humble and vulnerable circumstances. Other occurrences, such as in [[1 Samuel 19:13]] and [[1 Samuel 26:7]], further illustrate its role in defining personal space and highlighting moments of vulnerability or deception. The term, often used adverbially, subtly underscores the intimacy and significance of the area around an individual's head, serving as a powerful reminder that God's interaction with humanity often takes place within the fabric of everyday life.
TRV