מַעֲרֶכֶת
𐤌𐤏𐤓𐤊𐤕
maʻăreketh
H4635 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Primarily, an arranged order or set, especially a systematic arrangement; most often refers to an ordered row or array, especially in the context of ritual or ceremonial arrangement (such as the rows of bread—'Bread of the Arrangement'—on the table in the Israelite sanctuary). It can also denote a set, pile, or course of objects set in order for a specific purpose.
Semantic Range
order, arrangement, row, set, pile (especially of bread), ceremonial set, organized array
Root / Etymology
From the root ערך (ʿ-r-k), meaning 'to arrange, set in order, array.' The noun form מַעֲרֶכֶת derives from this root and conveys the result or product of arranging.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַעֲרֶכֶת is most notably used for the rows of bread placed on the table in the sanctuary (Lev 24:6, 24:7, 1 Sam 21:7) and thus is closely associated with ritual practice. The term does not inherently mean 'showbread'; rather, it designates the organized arrangement (of loaves) which KJV and other translations have rendered as 'shewbread' or 'showbread.' In military contexts, the root supplies words for ranks or array of troops, though מַעֲרֶכֶת itself is not attested in that sense. The word's significance is thus tied to orderliness and ceremonial arrangement. Later Judaean and Greek sources sometimes interpret the term as signifying the sacred bread itself (cf. 'artophoia' in LXX, or 'bread of presentation'), leading to terms like 'showbread' in English, but this is a narrowing of the original meaning. Its sense remains non-anachronistic when rendered as 'row' or 'arranged set,' particularly in priestly ritual settings.
Translation Consistency
מַעֲרֶכֶת most commonly denotes an ordered set, row, or ceremonial placing (e.g., rows of bread). "Arrangement" is natural, covers the idea of order, set, and organized array, and fits ritual contexts better than narrower terms like "row" or ambiguous words like "set" or "order." It therefore provides a consistent, readable English equivalent for all occurrences.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָרַךְ; an arrangement, i.e. (concretely) a pile (of loaves); row, shewbread.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
ערך (maʻărâk) — to arrange, set in order, lay out
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4633 | מַעֲרָךְ | arrangements of |
| H4634 | מַעֲרָכָה | in the ordered formation |
| H6186 | עָרַךְ | he arranged |
| H6187 | עֵרֶךְ | in your valuation |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4635-02 |
הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֜כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the showbread | the ordered array | the arrangement | 5 |
H4635-01 |
הַֽ/מַּעֲרָ֑כֶת | hamaarakhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
[to] the row | the arranged set | the arrangement | 2 |
H4635-03 |
וּ/מַעֲרֶ֨כֶת | umaarekhet | HC/Ncfsc |
and-arrangement | and arrangement of | and arrangement of | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4635-01 |
Leviticus 24:6 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרָ֑כֶת | hamaarakhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
[to] the row | the arranged set | the arrangement |
H4635-02 |
Leviticus 24:7 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
the row | the ordered array | the arrangement |
H4635-02 |
Nehemiah 10:34 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the arrangement | the ordered array | the arrangement |
H4635-01 |
1 Chronicles 9:32 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרָ֑כֶת | hamaarakhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the arrangement | the arranged set | the arrangement |
H4635-02 |
1 Chronicles 23:29 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֜כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
the-arrangement | the ordered array | the arrangement |
H4635-02 |
1 Chronicles 28:16 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the showbread | the ordered array | the arrangement |
H4635-03 |
2 Chronicles 2:3 | וּ/מַעֲרֶ֨כֶת | umaarekhet | HC/Ncfsc |
and the showbread | and arrangement of | and arrangement of |
H4635-03 |
2 Chronicles 13:11 | וּ/מַעֲרֶ֨כֶת | umaarekhet | HC/Ncfsc |
and-arrangement | and arrangement of | and arrangement of |
H4635-02 |
2 Chronicles 29:18 | הַֽ/מַּעֲרֶ֖כֶת | hamaarekhet | HTd/Ncfsa |
of the showbread | the ordered array | the arrangement |