מִדְרָשׁ
𐤌𐤃𐤓𐤔
midrâsh
H4097 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A seeking, inquiry, study, or exposition—primarily the process or product of seeking or investigating (usually in relation to Torah or a sacred text). In later contexts, can refer to an exposition, interpretation, or collection of interpretive teachings.
Semantic Range
inquiry, investigation, study, exposition (oral or written), treatise, official record, interpretive tradition
Root / Etymology
From the root דרש (darash), meaning 'to seek, inquire, investigate, study.' The noun מִדְרָשׁ (midrâsh) is a nominal form indicating the act, place, or result of seeking or inquiry. Originally denotes the act of searching/study, later extended to mean the product or outcome of such study, especially relating to Scripture.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage (e.g., 2 Chronicles 13:22; 24:27), midrâsh refers to a written chronicle or record, specifically an official history or collection of events, likely understood as an 'exposition' or 'inquiry' into the acts of a ruler or era, rather than simply a narrative story. In post-biblical and later Second Temple and rabbinic literature, midrâsh develops into a technical term for the exposition and interpretive traditions surrounding biblical texts (now known as 'midrash' literature). English translations such as 'story,' 'treatise,' or 'interpretation' only partially capture its range. In biblical times, the term does not refer to the specific genre of later rabbinic midrash, but its usage foreshadows this development. It is closely related to the verbal form darash ('to seek, study, inquire'), and overlaps in meaning with other words for record or chronicle, though midrâsh is more interpretive or investigative in nuance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from דָּרַשׁ; properly, an investigation, i.e. (by implication) a treatise or elaborate compilation; story.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דרש (d-r-sh) — to seek, to inquire, to investigate, to interpret
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1875 | דָּרַשׁ | he sought diligently |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4097-02 |
מִדְרַ֖שׁ | miderash | HNcmsc |
the commentary | investigative study | 1 |
H4097-01 |
בְּ/מִדְרַ֖שׁ | bemiderash | HR/Ncmsc |
in the treatise | in inquiry-of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4097-01 |
2 Chronicles 13:22 | בְּ/מִדְרַ֖שׁ | bemiderash | HR/Ncmsc |
in the treatise | in inquiry-of |
H4097-02 |
2 Chronicles 24:27 | מִדְרַ֖שׁ | miderash | HNcmsc |
the commentary | investigative study |