4630. maarah
Lexical Summary
maarah: Cave

Original Word: מַעֲרָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: ma`arah
Pronunciation: mah-ar-AH
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ar-aw')
KJV: army (from the margin)
Word Origin: [feminine of H4629 (מַעֲרֶה - Appearance)]

1. an open spot

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
army

Feminine of ma'areh; an open spot -- army (from the margin).

see HEBREW ma'areh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
see 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).
2. Covenant Confidence. David sees past the visible formation, interpreting the Philistine array as no match for the Lord of Hosts (1 Samuel 17:45). The use of מַעֲרָה underscores the contrast between human martial strength and divine sovereignty.
3. Representative Warfare. One champion represents an entire army. David’s victory by faith prefigures the substitutionary triumph of a Greater David who will defeat a far deadlier foe on behalf of His people.

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.
• Courageous Leadership. David steps forward while seasoned soldiers recoil. Pastors, parents, and church leaders are called to model faith before those who may feel paralyzed by the enemy’s formation (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Corporate Identity. Just as one warrior’s stance influences the morale of the whole army, each Christian’s faithfulness or fear affects the wider body (Hebrews 10:24–25).

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‘arḵōwṯ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Samuel 17:23
HEB: [מִמַּעֲרֹות כ] (מִמַּעַרְכֹ֣ות ק) פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
INT: named Gath army of the Philistines spoke

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4630
1 Occurrence


mim·ma·‘ar·ḵō·wṯ — 1 Occ.

4629
Top of Page
Top of Page