English · KJV
H4789

מֵרוֹז

Mêrôwz /may-roze'/ Ask about this word
Rootof uncertain derivation
MeaningMeroz, a place in Palestine
KJV usageMeroz.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Mêrôwz — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word Mêrôwz, represented by H4789, refers to Meroz, a place in Palestine. Its derivation is uncertain. The name appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its sole appearance a significant and cautionary moment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical reference to H4789 is found in the Song of Deborah and Barak. In this passage, a curse is pronounced upon the location and its people: "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty" Judges 5:23. This pronouncement identifies Meroz as a community that failed to act and join with the LORD's forces in a critical battle.

Related Words & Concepts

The context of this singular event is clarified by several related words:

  • H779 ʼârar (to execrate; [idiom] bitterly curse): This word is used twice to emphasize the severity of the judgment against Meroz for its inaction.
  • H5833 ʻezrâh (aid; help): This is what the people of Meroz withheld. Their failure to come to the help of the LORD is the specific reason given for the curse.
  • H3427 yâshab (to dwell; inhabitant): This identifies the target of the curse, extending it beyond the place itself to the inhabitants who failed to respond to the call for aid.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4789 is derived entirely from its role in this one passage. It serves as a powerful biblical illustration of several principles.

  • Judgment for Omission: The curse on Meroz is notable because it is for a sin of inaction. The inhabitants (H3427) are condemned not for what they did, but for what they failed to do when called upon to provide help (H5833).
  • The Mandate to Act: The account establishes a clear expectation that God's people are to actively participate in His battles. Neutrality or refusal to come to the aid of the LORD (H3068) is treated as a grave offense worthy of a bitter curse (H779).
  • Divine Authority: The curse is delivered by the angel (H4397) of the LORD (H3068), underscoring that this is not a human grievance but a divine verdict against those who shrink from their duty.

Summary

In summary, H4789 is more than just an obscure place name. It is immortalized in scripture as a symbol of the grave consequences of passivity and failing to stand with the LORD. Its solitary appearance in the Bible serves as a focused and potent warning that inaction in the face of a divine call carries a heavy price.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מֵרוֹז

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H779 אָרַר a primitive root; to execrate; [idiom] bitterly curse. H5833 עֶזְרָה or עֶזְרָת; (Psalm 60:11 (13); Psalm 108:12 (13)), feminine of עֵזֶר; aid; help(-ed, -er). H3427 יָשַׁב a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remai H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H4397 מֲלְאָךְ from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, p

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Judges — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.