plural from רוּם; heights; Meremoth, the name of two Israelites; Meremoth.
Transliteration:Mᵉrêmôwth
Pronunciation:mer-ay-mohth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma Mᵉrêmôwth (מְרֵמוֹת, H4822) is a plural noun derived from the Hebrew root רוּם (ruwm), which signifies "to be high," "to rise," or "to exalt." Therefore, the literal core meaning of Mᵉrêmôwth is "heights" or "exaltations." While the etymological meaning points to physical elevation or a state of being exalted, in its biblical occurrences, H4822 functions exclusively as a proper noun, Meremoth. This proper name, meaning "heights" or "exalted ones," was given to individuals, suggesting a potential aspiration for their prominence or a recognition of their elevated status within the community.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Meremoth (H4822) appears in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, identifying at least two distinct individuals who played significant roles in the post-exilic community.
1. **Meremoth, son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz:** This individual was a priest and is most prominently featured.
* In [[Ezra 8:33]], Meremoth is listed among those responsible for weighing the silver, gold, and vessels for the temple, which Ezra brought back from Babylon. This was a critical task requiring immense trustworthiness and precision, highlighting his reliability and priestly duty in handling sacred offerings.
* His involvement in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls is documented in [[Nehemiah 3:4]] and [[Nehemiah 3:21]]. He repaired a section of the wall, and later, a "second section," indicating his substantial and sustained contribution to the rebuilding efforts under Nehemiah. His lineage connects him to the priestly family of Hakkoz, who had faced questions regarding their priestly purity in [[Ezra 2:61]], suggesting that Meremoth's prominent role affirmed their re-established status.
2. **Meremoth, a chief of the people:** This Meremoth is listed among the leaders who sealed the covenant in [[Nehemiah 10:5]] (which is [[Nehemiah 10:6]] in some English versions). This act signified a renewed commitment to God's law and the community's responsibilities. While it is possible that this is the same Meremoth, the priest, the text presents him distinctly as a "chief of the people" without a patronymic, leading some scholars to consider him a separate individual. Regardless, his inclusion underscores his leadership and dedication to the spiritual restoration of Israel.
The consistent portrayal of both individuals named Meremoth in roles of responsibility—whether in temple service, city rebuilding, or covenant affirmation—aligns with the aspirational or descriptive meaning of their name, "heights" or "exalted ones."
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of H4822 is significantly enriched by examining its linguistic root and related terms:
* **Root רוּם (ruwm) `{{H7311}}`**: This is the fundamental verbal root from which Mᵉrêmôwth is derived. It carries a broad semantic range including "to be high," "to rise," "to lift up," "to exalt," and "to be lofty." This root is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe physical elevation (e.g., mountains, [[Psalm 121:1]]), social or political elevation (e.g., kings, [[1 Samuel 2:7]]), and most profoundly, the exaltation of God (e.g., His name, His arm of power, [[Psalm 99:5]]).
* **Related Nouns**:
* רָמָה (ramah) `{{H7413}}`: "height," "high place."
* מָרוֹם (marom) `{{H4791}}`: "height," "high place," often referring to the dwelling place or exalted position of God.
* תְּרוּמָה (terumah) `{{H8641}}`: "contribution," "offering," specifically something "lifted up" or set apart for sacred purposes. This noun directly connects to the concept of elevation in the context of dedication to God.
* **Thematic Connections**: The name Meremoth, embodying "heights," resonates with several biblical themes:
* **Exaltation**: Both divine exaltation (God's majesty) and human exaltation (honor, leadership).
* **Service and Responsibility**: The individuals named Meremoth are depicted in roles of significant responsibility and faithful service within the community, embodying a form of "exalted" duty.
* **Restoration and Rebuilding**: Their active participation in the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple links them to the theme of national and spiritual restoration after the Babylonian exile.
### Theological Significance
While Meremoth (H4822) functions as a proper noun, its etymological roots and the actions of the individuals bearing the name offer subtle yet significant theological insights:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency**: The root רוּם (ruwm) is frequently used to describe God's supreme exaltation and power. The existence of individuals named "Meremoth" serving faithfully in the restoration of God's temple and city can be seen as an illustration of God raising up and empowering individuals for His purposes. Their "heights" or "exaltation" are not merely human achievements but are ultimately enabled by divine providence.
* **Faithfulness in God's Work**: The Meremoths in Ezra-Nehemiah serve as models of committed leadership and diligent service during a critical period of Israel's history. Their trustworthiness in handling sacred treasures and their perseverance in rebuilding the walls underscore the theological importance of human faithfulness and active participation in God's redemptive plan. They demonstrate that the re-establishment of a holy community requires dedicated human effort in response to God's calling.
* **The Meaning of Names**: In the biblical tradition, names often carried prophetic or descriptive significance. The name Meremoth, meaning "heights," might have been given with an aspirational hope for the individual's future prominence or as a recognition of God's hand in their elevation to positions of influence. It implicitly reminds us that God raises leaders and empowers them to fulfill His will, even in times of profound challenge and rebuilding.
### Summary
The Hebrew term Mᵉrêmôwth (מְרֵמוֹת, H4822) literally means "heights" or "exaltations," being a plural derivation from the root רוּם (ruwm) `{{H7311}}`, "to be high" or "to exalt." In the biblical text, it is exclusively used as the proper name Meremoth, referring to at least two distinct Israelites. The most prominent is Meremoth, son of Uriah, a priest who played a crucial role in the post-exilic community. He was entrusted with the temple's sacred vessels in [[Ezra 8:33]] and was a diligent builder of Jerusalem's walls in [[Nehemiah 3:4]] and [[Nehemiah 3:21]]. Another individual named Meremoth, possibly the same person, is listed among the leaders who sealed the covenant in [[Nehemiah 10:5]]. The name itself, "heights," subtly reflects the significant and elevated responsibilities these individuals bore in the restoration of the temple, the city, and the spiritual life of Israel. Their lives exemplify dedicated service and faithfulness, contributing to the re-establishment of a community where God's name could be exalted.
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