from רָבַב; increase; Merab, a daughter of Saul; Merab.
Transliteration:Mêrâb
Pronunciation:may-rawb'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מֵרָב (Mêrâb, `{{H4764}}`) is a proper noun derived from the root רָבַב (ravav), which conveys the sense of "to be numerous," "to increase," "to multiply," or "to be great/abundant." As a personal name, Merab literally signifies "increase" or "abundance." It is exclusively used in the biblical text as the name of a specific individual, not as a common noun.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Merab (מֵרָב, `{{H4764}}`) appears solely within the book of 1 Samuel, identifying her as the elder daughter of King Saul.
Her introduction is found in the genealogy of Saul's children: "Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were Merab the firstborn, and the younger, Michal." [[1 Samuel 14:49]].
Her most significant role emerges when King Saul promises her to David as a reward for his valor against the Philistines: "Saul said to David, 'Behold my elder daughter Merab; I will give her to you as a wife, provided you serve me courageously and fight the LORD's battles.' For Saul thought, 'Let not my hand be against him, but let the hand of the Philistines be against him.'" [[1 Samuel 18:17]]. This promise reveals Saul's manipulative intent, hoping David would perish in battle.
However, Saul reneges on this agreement, giving Merab to Adriel the Meholathite instead: "But at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter, should have been given to David, she was given to Adriel the Meholathite as a wife." [[1 Samuel 18:19]]. This act underscores Saul's growing jealousy and deceit towards David, further eroding his credibility and righteousness.
A later passage in 2 Samuel mentions "the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite" [[2 Samuel 21:8]], who were handed over to the Gibeonites. However, given that Michal is explicitly stated to have had no children ([[2 Samuel 6:23]]) and textual variants (e.g., the Septuagint) support "Merab," it is widely accepted by scholars that this verse contains a scribal error and should refer to Merab, not Michal. This connection implies Merab's sons, and thus her lineage, faced the consequences of Saul's sin against the Gibeonites.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root רָבַב (ravav, `{{H7231}}`):** The core meaning of Merab's name is derived from this root, which denotes "to be numerous," "to multiply," or "to be great." Other words from this root include רַב (rav, `{{H7227}}`), meaning "much" or "many," and רִבּוֹא (ribbo, `{{H7233}}`), meaning "ten thousand" or "myriad." The name Merab is a direct nominalization of this concept.
* **King Saul:** Merab's life is entirely framed by her relationship to her father. Her story serves as a minor but telling detail in the larger narrative of Saul's decline as king, particularly his increasing antagonism towards David.
* **David:** Merab's intended marriage to David highlights the burgeoning tension between David and Saul. Saul's broken promise regarding Merab foreshadows his ongoing efforts to thwart David's rise.
* **Michal:** As Merab's younger sister, Michal's eventual marriage to David provides a contrast to Merab's fate, further illustrating Saul's capricious nature and the complex marital politics of the royal house.
### Theological Significance
While Merab is not a central figure of theological discourse, her narrative contributions are significant within the broader biblical theology of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Saul's broken promise concerning Merab is a clear demonstration of his moral degradation and his increasing opposition to God's chosen king, David. This highlights themes of human treachery and the consequences of disobedience to divine will. The irony of her name, "Increase" or "Abundance," stands in stark contrast to the diminishing fortunes and eventual demise of Saul's house. Furthermore, the textual issue in [[2 Samuel 21:8]] regarding her sons (or Michal's) underscores the meticulous nature of biblical scholarship in discerning the most accurate transmission of God's Word, even when faced with apparent textual difficulties, affirming the text's ultimate authority despite human elements in its preservation.
### Summary
Merab (מֵרָב, `{{H4764}}`), meaning "increase" or "abundance," was the elder daughter of King Saul. Her most prominent role in the biblical narrative is her initial promise by King Saul to David as a wife after David's victory over Goliath [[1 Samuel 18:17]]. However, Saul, driven by jealousy and fear of David, reneged on this promise and instead gave Merab to Adriel the Meholathite [[1 Samuel 18:19]]. This act serves as a significant indicator of Saul's moral decline and his manipulative character. Though a minor figure, Merab's story is interwoven with the larger narrative of the transition of kingship from Saul to David, illustrating the brokenness of Saul's reign and the faithfulness of God's plan for David. The widely accepted scholarly emendation of [[2 Samuel 21:8]] to refer to Merab's sons highlights the enduring consequences of Saul's actions upon his family, even posthumously.
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