Lexical Summary marashah: Possession, inheritance Original Word: מַרְאָשָׁה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance principality Denominative from ro'sh; properly, headship, i.e. (plural for collective) dominion -- principality. see HEBREW ro'sh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as meraashoth, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs [מְרַאֲשׁוֺת] noun [feminine] plural denominative place at the head, head-place; — only suffix מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו as adverb at his head-place (of one lying down) Genesis 28:11,18 (E), 1 Samuel 19:13,16; 1 Kings 19:6; so Qr 1 Samuel 26:7,11,16; (Kt מראשׁתו); in 1 Samuel 26:12 read מִמְּרַאֲשֹׁתָיו ᵐ5. We Dr HPS, for ᵑ0 מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי שָׁאוּל, מַרְאֲשׁוֺתֵיכֶם Jeremiah 13:18 (head-tires AV:m RV), read מַרְאשֵׁיכֶם, Jeremiah 13:8 (head-tiresAV:m RV), read מֵרָאשֵׁיכֶם from your heads, ᵐ5. ᵑ6 ᵑ7 Gie Buhl CoHpt (compare, already, Thes). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Cultural Background מַרְאָשָׁה designates a padded support placed beneath the head—either a pillow for reclining or a cushion affixed to a seat or couch. In the Ancient Near Eastern household, such an object signified comfort, rank, and preparedness for rest. Within royal circles it could be elaborately embroidered and thus double as a symbol of dignity. Biblical Occurrence Jeremiah 13:18 contains the sole canonical use: “Say to the king and the queen mother: ‘Take a lowly seat, for your splendid crown has fallen from your heads.’” (Berean Standard Bible) Here מַרְאָשָׁה appears in the plural construct “from your head-cushions,” underscoring the loss of regal elevation as Judah’s monarchs exchange cushioned thrones for humiliation. Historical Setting in Jeremiah The warning is delivered during the last turbulent years of Judah, probably during Jehoiachin’s brief reign or the early rule of Zedekiah. Babylon’s rise has rendered the once-secure monarchy fragile. Jeremiah’s sign-acts (Jeremiah 13:1-11) climax with a direct address to the royal household: the luxuries that supported the royal head are about to be removed, prophetically dramatizing exile and dethronement. Theological Themes • Reversal of Honor: Cushions crafted to exalt the head become the very point from which glory departs. Scripture repeatedly pairs the head with authority (Psalms 27:6; 1 Samuel 15:17); the loss of the royal “head-rest” signals the stripping of delegated authority by the One who alone “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). • Divine Humbling: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6) echoes the call. Jeremiah’s imperative “Take a lowly seat” anticipates the New Testament ethic that greatness is measured by willingness to be abased (Luke 14:10-11). • Warning against False Security: Plush appointments cannot shield from covenant judgment. The cushioned headrest becomes a silent witness that material ease, when divorced from covenant fidelity, accelerates downfall (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). Connections with Biblical Symbolism 1. Pillows in Times of Crisis: Jacob used a stone for a pillow at Bethel (Genesis 28:11), finding covenant promises, not comfort, to be his security. Ezekiel later condemns women who sew “magic bands” and “cushions” to ensnare souls (Ezekiel 13:18). Jeremiah’s use forms a triad: every pillow—stone, occult, or royal—falls under the scrutiny of the Lord. 2. Head and Leadership: The head represents government (Isaiah 9:15). Removing a head-cushion parallels removing a crown (Psalms 89:39) and anticipates the fallen earthly thrones that ultimately submit to the “King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). Practical Ministry Insights • Preaching: Jeremiah 13:18 supplies a vivid sermon image: the royal pillow sliding away. It confronts contemporary leaders tempted to rely on status symbols rather than repentance. • Pastoral Care: The text counsels believers facing loss. Just as royal comfort could not avert judgment, modern comforts cannot replace the peace found in obedience. • Discipleship: Invites self-examination—are there “cushions” of prestige or ease cushioning the head from conviction? Encourage believers to voluntarily “take a lowly seat” before the Lord disciplines them to it. Christological and Eschatological Reflections The Lord Jesus “had no place to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20), willingly foregoing every earthly cushion. His humility reverses Jeremiah’s judgment narrative: where Judah’s king is forced downward, the true King descends voluntarily, then is exalted. Eschatologically, earthly cushions and crowns give way to the worship scene of Revelation 4:10, where elders cast their crowns before the throne, acknowledging that only Christ’s exalted head requires no external support. Related Scriptures Genesis 28:11; 1 Samuel 15:17; Psalms 89:39; Isaiah 9:15; Ezekiel 13:18; Luke 14:10-11; John 13:14-15; 1 Peter 5:6; Revelation 4:10; Revelation 19:16. Forms and Transliterations מַרְאֲשׁ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם מראשותיכם mar’ăšōwṯêḵem mar·’ă·šō·w·ṯê·ḵem maraShoteiChemLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 13:18 HEB: כִּ֤י יָרַד֙ מַרְאֲשׁ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם עֲטֶ֖רֶת תִּֽפְאַרְתְּכֶֽם׃ KJV: yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, INT: for has come your principalities crown your beautiful 1 Occurrence |
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