מַמְרֵא
𐤌𐤌𐤓𐤀
Mamere
H4471 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Mamrê is a proper noun designating both a person and a place in the Hebrew Bible. Primarily, it refers to an Amorite individual, an ally of Abram in the patriarchal narratives, and also to a notable site near Hebron often associated with patriarchal events, including divine encounters with Abram/Abraham. The term does not inherently denote any particular attribute apart from its use as a name; lexical meaning is subsumed under these onomastic functions.
Semantic Range
proper name of an Amorite person, name of a place/landmark near Hebron, associated with oaks/groves; may connote strength or vigor in onomastic usage
Root / Etymology
From the root מָרָא (marā'), which bears the core meaning 'to be strong, robust, vigorous.' The form מַמְרֵא (Mamrêʼ) is traditionally understood as a personal or place name derived from this root, though the precise nuance in the context of the name is unclear and may be related to an ancient tradition or descriptive characteristic preserved in the name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical narrative, Mamrê is first and foremost remembered as an Amorite chieftain allied with Abram (Genesis 14:13, 24), alongside his brothers Eshcol and Aner. The name is then used to refer to a region or grove near Hebron, repeatedly described as the location 'by the terebinths (oaks) of Mamrê' (Genesis 13:18; 18:1), where significant theological events (such as YHWH appearing to Abraham) are described. The association of the name with both a person and a geographical landmark points to a common practice in which land or settlements are linked to prominent inhabitants or founders. English versions usually render the name as 'Mamre,' which captures its transliteration but does not reflect any underlying Hebraic semantic content, since the meaning of the name is lost or secondary. In later tradition, the location becomes a pilgrimage site. There is no biblical evidence to identify Mamrê ethnically as an Israelite or Judahite; in fact, the text identifies him as an Amorite. Modern translations accurately present the word as a proper noun, but the connotation of vigor or strength is not retained in English usage. The term is not used as an ethnic or social group designation beyond this personal and toponymic use. The component of 'lusty' or 'vigorous,' suggested by earlier lexicographers, is speculative and not relevant to the biblical function of the word.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָרָא(in the sense of vigor); lusty; Mamre, an Amorite; Mamre.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מרא (m-r-ʾ) — to be strong, to be vigorous, to be robust
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4756 | מָרֵא | master of |
| H4806 | מְרִיא | fattened oxen of |
| H4810 | מְרִי בַעַל | and stall-fed ox |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4471-01 |
מַמְרֵ֖א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre | 9 |
H4471-02 |
וּ/מַמְרֵ֔א | umamere | HC/Np |
and Mamre | and Mamre | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
10 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4471-01 |
Genesis 13:18 | מַמְרֵ֖א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 14:13 | מַמְרֵ֣א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-02 |
Genesis 14:24 | וּ/מַמְרֵ֔א | umamere | HC/Np |
and Mamre | and Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 18:1 | מַמְרֵ֑א | mamere | HNp |
of Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 23:17 | מַמְרֵ֑א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 23:19 | מַמְרֵ֖א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 25:9 | מַמְרֵֽא | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 35:27 | מַמְרֵ֖א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 49:30 | מַמְרֵ֖א | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |
H4471-01 |
Genesis 50:13 | מַמְרֵֽא | mamere | HNp |
Mamre | Mamre |