מַהֲרַי
𐤌𐤄𐤓𐤉
Maharay
H4121 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name: Maharai. The name likely carries the sense of 'swift' or 'quick,' potentially reflecting a characteristic attribute. In biblical narrative, refers specifically to Maharai the Netophathite, one of David's elite warriors.
Semantic Range
personal name (Maharai); derived descriptive sense 'swift one'; hasty; as a proper noun, refers specifically to an elite Israelite warrior in David's army
Root / Etymology
From the root מהר 'to hasten, be quick.' The form מַהֲרַי contains an adjectival or participial sense, signifying 'one who is swift' or 'the hasty one.' The -ai ending is common among personal names and may indicate a characteristic or descriptor, but its precise nuance here is debated.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Maharai appears as a personal name only in the Hebrew Bible, specifically identifying Maharai of Netophah, listed among David's warriors (2 Samuel 23:28; 1 Chronicles 11:30, 27:13). The name reflects a characteristic trait, 'swiftness,' paralleling other theophoric or descriptive names in ancient Israel. English translations simply transliterate the name, with no attempt to render its meaning. The root מהר is also the basis for words related to haste or urgency, but there is no evidence the name ever functioned as a common noun or adjective in biblical usage. The presence of the -ai suffix aligns with other pre-exilic Hebrew personal names. The term 'Jew' or later ethnic/religious designations do not apply to Maharai's historical setting; he operated in the context of the unified Israelite monarchy under David.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָהַר; hasty; Maharai, an Israelite; Maharai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מהר (m-h-r) — to hasten, to be swift, to be quick
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4106 | מָהִיר | quick, ready |
| H4116 | מָהַר | as making haste |
| H4117 | מָהַר | to hasten |
| H4118 | מַהֵר | Hurry! |
| H4119 | מֹהַר | with bride-price |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4121-01 |
מַהְרַ֖י | maheray | HNp |
Maharai | Swift One | Maharay | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4121-01 |
2 Samuel 23:28 | מַהְרַ֖י | maheray | HNp |
Maharai | Swift One | Maharay |
H4121-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:30 | מַהְרַי֙ | maheray | HNp |
Maharai | Swift One | Maharay |
H4121-01 |
1 Chronicles 27:13 | מַהְרַ֥י | maheray | HNp |
Maharai | Swift One | Maharay |