4774. margeah

Lexical Summary

margeah: Rest, ease, quiet

Original Word: מַרְגֵּעָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: marge`ah
Pronunciation: mar-gay'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (mar-gay-aw')
KJV: refreshing
NASB: repose
Word Origin: [from H7280 (רָגַע - To rest)]

1. rest

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

refreshing

From raga'; rest -- refreshing.

see HEBREW raga'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from raga
Definition
a rest, repose
NASB Translation
repose (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מִרְגֵּעָה noun feminine rest, repose (poetry), Isaiah 28:12 וְלאֹ אָבוּא שְׁמוֺעַ ׳אֲשֶׁר אָמַר זאֹת הַמּ ("" חַמְּנוּחָת).

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Setting

Margeah appears in Isaiah 28:12 during the prophet’s indictment of the northern kingdom’s proud leaders. While they scoffed at Isaiah’s simple message of faith, the LORD identified His word as “the place of rest” offered to “the weary” (Isaiah 28:12). Thus the term stands at the heart of a contrast between human self-assurance and God-given repose.

Concept of Divine Rest

1. Gift, not achievement – Scripture presents true rest as bestowed by God (Exodus 33:14; Psalm 62:1). Margeah reinforces this pattern: rest is located in God’s revealed word, never in national alliances or human schemes.
2. Refreshment for the burdened – The “weary” echoes themes of covenant faithfulness in which Yahweh renews His people (Deuteronomy 5:14; Isaiah 30:15).
3. Covenant security – Rest integrates physical safety in the land (Joshua 21:44) with spiritual contentment that flows from trusting obedience (Hebrews 3:7-19).

Historical-Cultural Context

Around 725 BC Samaria’s leaders staggered under literal wine (Isaiah 28:1-8) and figurative intoxication with Assyrian politics. God’s “resting place” demanded humility and quiet faith instead of frenetic diplomacy. Their rejection precipitated the Assyrian invasion (2 Kings 17:5-6). Margeah therefore functions as both gracious invitation and impending judgment.

Theological Themes

• Word-centered refuge – The location of rest is the prophetic message itself, foreshadowing the centrality of Scripture for comfort (Psalm 119:165).
• Faith versus works – Isaiah’s audience chose laborious self-reliance; the motif anticipates the gospel call, “Come to Me… and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
• Escatological hope – Isaiah later promises ultimate rest in the Messianic reign (Isaiah 32:18; 11:10), linking margeah to the future renewal of creation (Revelation 14:13).

Ministry Applications

• Preaching – Proclaim that genuine rest is found in believing God’s Word, not in cultural accommodation or political strategy.
• Counseling – Direct the weary to scriptural promises; Isaiah 28:12 undergirds pastoral exhortations to lay down anxiety before the Lord (Philippians 4:6-7).
• Worship – Incorporate readings that connect Sabbath rhythms to Christ’s restful yoke, reminding congregations of God’s provision.
• Missions – Present the gospel as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s offer, assuring seekers that rest is available in Christ alone.

Related Passages

Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 12:10; Joshua 22:4; Psalm 23:1-3; Psalm 95:11; Isaiah 30:15; Jeremiah 6:16; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:1-11.

Christological Fulfillment

Margeah anticipates the rest secured by Jesus, who, through His atoning work, provides Sabbath reality (Colossians 2:16-17) and eternal refreshment for God’s people (Revelation 7:16-17). Isaiah’s single occurrence thus contributes to the unified scriptural witness that salvation history moves from promised rest to accomplished rest in the risen Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

הַמַּרְגֵּעָ֑ה המרגעה ham·mar·gê·‘āh hammargê‘āh hammargeAh

Englishman's Concordance

Isaiah 28:12
HEB: לֶֽעָיֵ֔ף וְזֹ֖את הַמַּרְגֵּעָ֑ה וְלֹ֥א אָב֖וּא
NAS: And, Here is repose, but they would
KJV: to rest; and this [is] the refreshing: yet they would
INT: to the weary likewise is repose not would

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4774
1 Occurrence

ham·mar·gê·‘āh — 1 Occ.