← H4629 H4631 →

מַעֲרָה

𐤌𐤏𐤓𐤄

maʻărâh

H4630 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ערה to be bare, to be exposed, to uncover

Definition

A bare or open space, usually referring to an uncovered area such as a clearing or glade, often in a natural setting. While the term is rarely attested, it denotes a space that is cleared of growth or trees. In some textual variants, it is proposed to refer to a troop or band, although this sense is uncertain and likely derives from textual confusion.

Semantic Range

open space, clearing, glade, bare spot; (textual variant - troop or band, but this is unattested as a proper meaning)

Root / Etymology

From the root ערה (ʿ-r-h), meaning 'to be bare, exposed.' The feminine form מַעֲרָה builds on this sense, referring to a place that is exposed or cleared. The root’s core meaning ('to make bare') underlies the sense of 'open space.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term מַעֲרָה is attested only in Ezekiel 39:11, where the context supports the meaning of a cleared or open spot, potentially as a location for burial. Some manuscripts or translations read it with a reference to an 'army,' but this appears to stem from a scribal confusion or marginal note and is not supported by the broader lexical or contextual evidence. The closely-related masculine form מַעֲרֶה occurs elsewhere with a similar sense of an 'open space.' Unlike the more common noun מִדְבָּר (wilderness) or שָׂדֶה (field), מַעֲרָה specifically refers to an exposed spot, often with the connotation of having been cleared. English translations ('open spot,' 'clearing') generally align with the Hebrew, but obscure the connection to the root sense of bareness or exposure. There is no evidence that this word was used with any military connotation or to refer to groups of people in any period of biblical Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of מַעֲרֶה; an open spot; army (from the margin).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

ערה (ʿ-r-h) — to be bare, to be exposed, to uncover

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4626 מַעַר like the exposed part of
H4629 מַעֲרֶה from an exposed pasture
H4631 מְעָרָה in the cave
H4632 מְעָרָה and Mearah
H6168 עָרָה bare places

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4630-01 מ/מערות mmrvt HR/Ncfpc from-caves bare clearings of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4630-01 1 Samuel 17:23 מ/מערות mmrvt HR/Ncfpc from-caves bare clearings of
← H4629 Hebrew Lexicon H4631 →