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מַרְאָה

𐤌𐤓𐤀𐤄

marʼâh

H4759 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ראה to see, to perceive, to look at

Definition

A visible appearance or manifestation, something seen by the eye, often conveying supernatural or revelatory content; in other contexts, a physical object used for looking, such as a mirror. The term broadly encompasses both the abstract concept of a vision—a sensory or imagined experience, frequently of a prophetic or divine nature—and the tangible item through which reflection is perceived.

Semantic Range

appearance, visible manifestation, vision (often supernatural or prophetic), mirror (polished metal), reflection, image seen in a mirror

Root / Etymology

From the root ראה (to see, to perceive with the eyes), with the nominalizing feminine suffix -ה. The core root meaning relates to the act of seeing or perceiving, while the noun form מַרְאָה denotes the thing that is seen (appearance, vision), or that with which one sees (mirror).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early Israelite narratives, מַרְאָה typically denotes an extraordinary visual experience, often associated with prophetic calling or divine encounter (e.g., Daniel, Ezekiel). The sense of 'mirror' emerges in later Biblical usage, a physical object made of polished metal (cf. Exodus 38:8), as glass mirrors were not in use at the time; here, the object is used for personal grooming or ritual purposes. Usage in prophetic and apocalyptic passages highlights the difference between ordinary sight and revelatory sight—what is seen is not merely physical, but symbolic or visionary. English versions often translate the word as 'vision' or 'mirror' according to context, but may not always distinguish between symbolic, supernatural, or literal seeing. The word is distinct from חָזוֹן (chazon, 'vision' as in prophetic revelation), with מַרְאָה emphasizing the visual aspect or form itself, rather than the message conveyed.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of מַרְאֶה; a vision; also (causatively) a mirror; looking glass, vision.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ראה (r-ʾ-h) — to see, to perceive, to look at

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1254 בָּרָא and he saw
H3372 יָרֵא he sees
H4179 מוֹרִיָּה the Seen-of-Yah
H4758 מַרְאֶה in the appearance
H4760 מֻרְאָה his prominent crop

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4759-03 הַ/מַּרְאָ֖ה hamareah HTd/Ncfsa the vision the visible manifestation 4
H4759-02 בְּ/מַרְאֹ֣ת bemareot HR/Ncfpc in visions in visible manifestations of 4
H4759-01 בַּ/מַּרְאָה֙ bamareah HRd/Ncfsa in the vision in the visible-manifestation 2
H4759-04 מַרְא֥וֹת mareot HNcfpc visions appearances of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4759-02 Genesis 46:2 בְּ/מַרְאֹ֣ת bemareot HR/Ncfpc in visions in visible manifestations of
H4759-02 Exodus 38:8 בְּ/מַרְאֹת֙ bemareot HR/Ncfpc from the mirrors in visible manifestations of
H4759-01 Numbers 12:6 בַּ/מַּרְאָה֙ bamareah HRd/Ncfsa in a vision in the visible-manifestation
H4759-03 1 Samuel 3:15 הַ/מַּרְאָ֖ה hamareah HTd/Ncfsa the vision the visible manifestation
H4759-04 Ezekiel 1:1 מַרְא֥וֹת mareot HNcfpc visions appearances of
H4759-02 Ezekiel 8:3 בְּ/מַרְא֣וֹת bemareot HR/Ncfpc in visions in visible manifestations of
H4759-02 Ezekiel 40:2 בְּ/מַרְא֣וֹת bemareot HR/Ncfpc in visions in visible manifestations of
H4759-03 Daniel 10:7 הַ/מַּרְאָ֔ה hamareah HTd/Ncfsa the-vision the visible manifestation
H4759-03 Daniel 10:7 הַ/מַּרְאָ֑ה hamareah-2 HTd/Ncfsa the-vision the visible manifestation
H4759-03 Daniel 10:8 הַ/מַּרְאָ֤ה hamareah HTd/Ncfsa the vision the visible manifestation
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