מַעֲרָת
𐤌𐤏𐤓𐤕
Maarat
H4638 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun denoting a specific settlement or locality; Maarath is identified as a town situated in the hill-country of Judah. The name itself may be derived from a term for caves or a place characterized by being cavernous, but in the biblical context, it functions exclusively as a toponym.
Semantic Range
Maarath (proper place name), locality identified in Judahite territory, possibly referencing a place marked by caves or hollow spaces; by extension, not used descriptively beyond the proper noun designation
Root / Etymology
Formed from the root מַעֲרָה (maʿărâh), meaning 'cave' or 'grotto,' with a locative or collective feminine ending, suggesting 'cave-place' or 'place of caves.' The -ת ending is characteristic of place names in Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Maarath is mentioned only in Joshua 15:59, as one of the towns assigned to the tribal territory of Judah (the Judahite hill-country). The suggestion that the name is related to מַעֲרָה ('cave') reflects the likely presence of natural cavities in the region or a landscape marked by caves. English translations (such as 'Maarath') transliterate the name, and renderings such as 'a place of caves' are interpretative rather than lexical. There is no evidence this location played a major role beyond the listing of Judahite towns. The toponym illustrates the common Israelite practice of naming locations after prominent geographical features. In later usage, the name does not appear outside this context, and subsequent translations and traditions use 'Maarath' as a proper name, without further interpretation. The implication of 'waste' in older glosses likely reflects an attempt to connect the root to barren or empty places, but the actual biblical usage refers simply to the locale.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a form of מַעֲרָה; waste; Maarath, a place in Palestine; Maarath.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מערה (m-ʿ-r-h) — to be bare, exposed; cave; hollow space
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4638-01 |
וּ/מַעֲרָ֥ת | umaarat | HC/Np |
and Maarath | and Maarath | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4638-01 |
Joshua 15:59 | וּ/מַעֲרָ֥ת | umaarat | HC/Np |
and Maarath | and Maarath |