מֶרְכָּב
𐤌𐤓𐤊𐤁
merkâb
H4817 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A vehicle for riding, primarily a chariot, in biblical contexts typically referring to a horse-drawn wheeled vehicle used for war, ceremonial processions, or travel. The word can also denote the platform or frame of such a vehicle (i.e., the 'seat' or the body of a chariot), or the apparatus for riding on an animal, such as a saddle or riding frame. In some poetic or metaphorical passages, it may refer generally to an equipped conveyance or to a covering apparatus used in riding.
Semantic Range
chariot, vehicle for riding, seat (in a vehicle), saddle, platform or covering for mounting, ceremonial or divine chariot
Root / Etymology
From the root רכב (r-k-b), meaning 'to ride, mount, drive.' מֶרְכָּב (merkâb) is a noun formation denoting an object related to riding, specifically the vehicle on which one rides or the platform for mounting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the biblical period, especially during the monarchy, chariots were symbols of military power, technological sophistication, and prestige among rulers (e.g., the chariot fleets of Egypt, Aram, and Israel). מֶרְכָּב is less common as a generic term for 'vehicle' and is used more specifically for war chariots or royal processions. In poetic or prophetic literature, the term can be used figuratively or metaphorically (e.g., YHWH's chariot, the divine cloud-chariot). The term overlaps with רֶכֶב (rekhev), which refers to ‘chariot’ but also the act of riding, and with מֶרְכָּבָה (merkâvah), which is a more common later term for chariot. English translations most often render מֶרְכָּב as 'chariot,' but nuances such as 'seat' or 'saddle' appear in unique contexts (e.g., 1 Kings 2:12). During the post-exilic period, the word is rarely used, and its semantic field narrows as riding technology changed.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from רָכַב; a chariot; also a seat (in a vehicle); chariot, covering, saddle.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רכב (r-k-b) — to ride, to mount, to drive
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1024 | בֵּית הַמַּרְכָּבוֹת | House of the Chariots |
| H4818 | מֶרְכָּבָה | in the chariot |
| H7392 | רָכַב | I will cause to ride |
| H7393 | רֶכֶב | in the chariot |
| H7394 | רֵכָב | Rekab |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4817-02 |
לְ/מֶרְכָּב֑/וֹ | lemerekavo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
for his chariots | for his riding-chariot | 1 |
H4817-03 |
מֶרְכָּב֖/וֹ | merekavo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
its seat | his riding-vehicle | 1 |
H4817-01 |
הַ/מֶּרְכָּ֗ב | hamerekav | HTd/Ncmsa |
saddle | the riding-vehicle | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4817-01 |
Leviticus 15:9 | הַ/מֶּרְכָּ֗ב | hamerekav | HTd/Ncmsa |
saddle | the riding-vehicle |
H4817-02 |
1 Kings 5:6 | לְ/מֶרְכָּב֑/וֹ | lemerekavo | HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms |
for his chariots | for his riding-chariot |
H4817-03 |
Song of Songs 3:10 | מֶרְכָּב֖/וֹ | merekavo | HNcmsc/Sp3ms |
its seat | his riding-vehicle |