Lexical Summary maarah: Cave Original Word: מַעֲרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance army Feminine of ma'areh; an open spot -- army (from the margin). see HEBREW ma'areh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee maarakah. Brown-Driver-Briggs מערות 1 Samuel 17:23 Kt see מערכה below ערך. [מַעֲרִיץ] see ערץ מַעֲרָךְ, מַעֲרָכָה, מַעֲרֶ֫כֶת see ערך. [מַעֲרֻמִּים] see עור מַעֲרָצָה see ערץ. מַעֲרָת see ערה. מַעֲשֶׂה, מַעְשַׂי, מַעֲשֵׂיָה, מַעֲשֵׂיָ֫הוּ see עשׂה. מַעֲשֵׂר see עשׂר. מַעֲשַׁקּוֺת see עשׁק. Topical Lexicon Setting in Scripture The single appearance of מַעֲרָה in Scripture occurs at the pivotal moment when Goliath confronts Israel: “the champion named Goliath, the Philistine from Gath, stepped out from the battle lines of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:23). The word directs the reader’s attention to the ordered formation from which the giant emerges, heightening the drama of David’s arrival and the confrontation that follows. Military Background Ancient Near-Eastern armies fought in clearly defined ranks. Infantrymen formed compact lines shield-to-shield, a tactic designed for both defense and intimidation. The term evokes this discipline. When Goliath strides forward, he is not a lone wanderer but the mouthpiece of an organized, hostile power. Israel faces not merely a man but the full weight of Philistine military order arrayed against covenant promises. Theological Themes 1. Corporate Challenge. Goliath’s taunts spring from “the ranks,” symbolizing a collective defiance of the Living God rather than a private quarrel (compare Psalm 2:1–3). Christological Foreshadowing Just as David “ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:48), so Jesus Christ moves decisively toward the cross, confronting the organized powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). The enemy’s confidence in its orderly ranks collapses before the chosen Redeemer, turning apparent weakness into overwhelming victory. Ministry Applications • Spiritual Warfare. Believers should not be surprised when opposition appears organized and intimidating (Ephesians 6:12–13). God equips His people to stand, not shrink, before such lines. Related Biblical Imagery Although מַעֲרָה itself appears only once, Scripture frequently depicts battle lines to highlight moments of decisive faith (Joshua 6:20; Judges 7:21; 1 Samuel 17:20; 2 Chronicles 20:17). These scenes consistently teach that victory belongs to the Lord, not to superior organization or weaponry (Psalm 20:7). Summary מַעֲרָה focuses the reader on the disciplined ranks that project Philistine confidence. Its lone occurrence magnifies both the threat and the triumph in the David-and-Goliath narrative. Recognizing the term’s military import encourages modern readers to trust God amid organized opposition, to stand firm in spiritual battle, and to look to the perfect Champion whose victory secures their own. Forms and Transliterations מִמַּעַרְכֹ֣ות ממערכות mim·ma·‘ar·ḵō·wṯ mimaarChot mimma‘arḵōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 17:23 HEB: [מִמַּעֲרֹות כ] (מִמַּעַרְכֹ֣ות ק) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים INT: named Gath army of the Philistines spoke 1 Occurrence |
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