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מְרַאֲשָׁה

𐤌𐤓𐤀𐤔𐤄

mᵉraʼăshâh

H4763 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ראשׁ head, chief, top

Definition

A support for the head, typically a cushion or pillow used while reclining or sleeping, with primary reference to furniture or bedding that provides comfort or elevation of the head. In biblical usage, refers most commonly to a physical object placed under the head at night or while resting.

Semantic Range

headrest, pillow, cushion for the head, support for the head when reclining or sleeping, physical head support

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root ראשׁ (rʾš), meaning 'head.' The form מְרַאֲשָׁה is a denominative noun, indicating something that serves the head, i.e., a headrest or pillow. The formative mem (מְ-) is a common nominal prefix in Hebrew, producing concrete nouns from roots.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite contexts, a מְרַאֲשָׁה refers to a practical object, typically a cushion or rolled item, placed under the head when sleeping (as seen in Judges 4:21 where it appears as the object under Sisera's head). It is functionally similar to מַרְגְּלָה (margegəlāh), which refers to a support for the feet (footstool), but serves the opposite end of the body. While English translations often render it as 'pillow' or 'bolster,' the object described was likely firmer and more utilitarian than modern pillows. The usage is concentrated in contexts describing sleep or rest, rather than ceremonial or ritual settings. There is no theological nuance attached to this term; it is purely descriptive of physical comfort or support. Over time, no significant semantic shift in biblical or post-biblical Hebrew can be attested for this term, which remains tied to its function as a head-supporting item.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

formed like מַרְאָשָׁה; properly, a headpiece, i.e. (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow); bolster, head, pillow. Compare מַרְגְלָה.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ראשׁ (r-ʾ-š) — head, chief, top

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4761 מַרְאָשָׁה your dominions
H4762 מַרְאֵשָׁה to Mareshah
H7217 רֵאשׁ be head
H7219 רֹאשׁ poison-plant
H7221 רִאשָׁה from your beginnings

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4763-01 מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests 8
H4763-02 מראשת/ו mrshtv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests 3

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4763-01 Genesis 28:11 מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms under his head his headrests
H4763-01 Genesis 28:18 מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֔י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-01 1 Samuel 19:13 מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at its head his headrests
H4763-01 1 Samuel 19:16 מְרַאֲשֹׁתָֽי/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at its head his headrests
H4763-02 1 Samuel 26:7 מראשת/ו mrshtv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-01 1 Samuel 26:7 מְרַאֲשֹׁתָ֑י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-02 1 Samuel 26:11 מראשת/ו mrshtv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-01 1 Samuel 26:11 מְרַאֲשֹׁתָ֛י/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-02 1 Samuel 26:16 מראשת/ו mrshtv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
H4763-01 1 Samuel 26:16 מְרַאֲשֹׁתָֽי/ו meraashotayv HNcfpc/Sp3ms at his head his headrests
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