מְאֵרָה
𐤌𐤀𐤓𐤄
mᵉʼêrâh
H3994 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An utterance or invocation expressing a curse, malediction, or harmful fate upon someone or something; a formal denunciation intended to bring misfortune or calamity. Used for verbal pronouncements that invoke disaster or misfortune, whether human or divine in origin.
Semantic Range
curse, execration, malediction, spoken imprecation; formal denunciation invoking misfortune, condition of being under a curse
Root / Etymology
From the root אָרַר (ʼarar), meaning 'to curse.' The noun מְאֵרָה (mᵉʼêrâh) directly derives from this root, indicating the result or product of cursing—a curse or execration.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term מְאֵרָה appears in several contexts (e.g., Proverbs 3:33, Malachi 2:2, Malachi 3:9) where it designates a pronounced curse, often understood as having tangible effects on the cursed object, household, or community. In Deuteronomistic and prophetic texts, מְאֵרָה is typically contrasted with בְּרָכָה (berakhah, 'blessing'), forming a dichotomy between positive and negative pronouncements. Its usage emphasizes the power and seriousness of spoken words in Ancient Israelite belief, whether enacted by humans, offered as prophecy, or understood as divine declaration. In some later biblical and post-biblical literature, the term was sometimes rendered as 'curse' or even 'execration' in translations, but ancient audiences would have interpreted the word in the context of social, legal, and covenantal relationships, often linked to covenant blessings and curses. English translations as 'curse' are generally accurate, but may underrepresent the solemn, performative character of the term in its biblical contexts.
Translation Consistency
'Curse' is the most natural, common English rendering for מְאֵרָה and matches the SILEX range (curse, malediction, imprecation, condition of being under a curse). It is the majority attestation in the P2 renderings and will produce clear, idiomatic translations. Alternate terms (malediction, imprecation, execration) are rarer and more formal, so 'curse' ensures consistency and readability.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אָרַר; an execration; curse.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארר (ʾ-r-r) — to curse, to bind with a spell
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H779 | אָרַר | I will curse |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3994-02 |
הַ/מְּאֵרָ֤ה | hameerah | HTd/Ncfsa |
curse | the malediction | the curse | 2 |
H3994-04 |
מְאֵרֽוֹת | meerot | HNcfpa |
curses | curses | curses | 1 |
H3994-03 |
מְאֵרַ֣ת | meerat | HNcfsc |
curse | curse-of | curse-of | 1 |
H3994-01 |
בַּ/מְּאֵרָה֙ | bameerah | HRd/Ncfsa |
with a curse | in the curse | with a curse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3994-02 |
Deuteronomy 28:20 | הַ/מְּאֵרָ֤ה | hameerah | HTd/Ncfsa |
the curse | the malediction | the curse |
H3994-02 |
Malachi 2:2 | הַ/מְּאֵרָ֔ה | hameerah | HTd/Ncfsa |
curse | the malediction | the curse |
H3994-01 |
Malachi 3:9 | בַּ/מְּאֵרָה֙ | bameerah | HRd/Ncfsa |
with a curse | in the curse | with a curse |
H3994-03 |
Proverbs 3:33 | מְאֵרַ֣ת | meerat | HNcfsc |
curse | curse-of | curse-of |
H3994-04 |
Proverbs 28:27 | מְאֵרֽוֹת | meerot | HNcfpa |
curses | curses | curses |