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מֵרָב

𐤌𐤓𐤁

Merav

H4764 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רבב to be many, to increase, to become numerous

Definition

Merab, a personal name referring to the eldest daughter of Saul, King of Israel. The name likely conveys the idea of 'increase' or 'abundance,' potentially intending 'one who causes increase' or 'abundant.'

Semantic Range

Merab (proper name), personal name signifying increase or abundance

Root / Etymology

From the root רָבַב (ravav), meaning 'to be many, to become numerous, to increase.' מֵרָב is a feminine personal name derived from this root, possibly constructed as a causative or attributive formation. Exact morphological composition is debated, but the basic sense is derived from the idea of increase or multitude.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Merab appears in the narratives of the early monarchy as the daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 14:49; 18:17–19). She is first promised to David but ultimately given to Adriel the Meholathite. Her name, reflecting the concept of 'increase,' might have been selected with hopes for prosperity or numerous descendants, a common type of naming convention in ancient Israelite society. The name itself does not have direct theological connotations, nor does it indicate religious identity. In later English Bible translations, Merab has sometimes been rendered simply as a personal name without translation. The name is distinct from the more common noun forms from the root רָבַב that refer to 'multitude' or 'increase,' being only attested here as a proper name. There is no evidence that the name was used for Judean, Israelite, or later populations beyond the biblical figure.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רָבַב; increase; Merab, a daughter of Saul; Merab.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

רבב (r-b-b) — to be many, to increase, to become numerous

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1337 בַּת רַבִּים many
H2579 חֲמַת רַבָּה great
H7227 רַב many
H7228 רַב his archers
H7229 רַב the great one

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4764-01 מֵרַ֔ב merav HNp Merab Abundant one 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4764-01 1 Samuel 14:49 מֵרַ֔ב merav HNp Merab Abundant one
H4764-01 1 Samuel 18:17 מֵרַב֙ merav HNp Merab Abundant one
H4764-01 1 Samuel 18:19 מֵרַ֥ב merav HNp Merab Abundant one
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