Lexical Summary merkab: Chariot, chariotry Original Word: מֶרְכָּב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chariot, covering, saddle From rakab; a chariot; also a seat (in a vehicle) -- chariot, covering, saddle. see HEBREW rakab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom rakab Definition a chariot, riding seat NASB Translation chariots (1), saddle (1), seat (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מֶרְכָּב noun masculineLeviticus 15:9 chariot, riding-seat (properly riding-place); — 1 chariot ( = following), suffix סוּסִים לְמֶרְכָּבוֺ 1 Kings 5:6. 2 absolute ׳מ, probably saddle Leviticus 15:9 (P). 3 מֶרְכָּבוֺ seat of litter Songs 3:10. Topical Lexicon Overview of Biblical Usage מֶרְכָּב appears three times in the Old Testament, describing the physical apparatus that supports a rider or elevates a royal personage. In Leviticus 15:9 it is the unclean “saddle” of a ceremonially defiled man; in 1 Kings 4:26 it forms part of Solomon’s military “chariot” force; in Song of Solomon 3:10 it is the opulent “seat” within the king’s bridal carriage. From common transport to instruments of war and finally to a vehicle of covenant love, the word’s range underlines how everyday objects are woven into God’s redemptive narrative. Cultural and Historical Background 1. Near-Eastern Chariotry: Archaeological discoveries from Egypt, Canaan, and Mesopotamia show that lightweight, two-wheeled chariots revolutionized warfare in the second millennium BC. Israel first met them in Egypt (Exodus 14) and later on Canaanite battlefields (Joshua 17:18). The royal armies of David and Solomon adopted chariots for defense and prestige, maintaining specialized “chariot cities” (1 Kings 9:19). Theological Emphasis • Holiness and Everyday Life (Leviticus 15:9): Even an object designed for comfort becomes a conduit of impurity, reminding the covenant community that holiness encompasses domestic routines. Ministry Significance 1. Discipleship and Holiness: Leviticus 15 urges believers to guard purity in mundane matters, illustrating that sanctification is not confined to worship services. Related Scriptures Leviticus 15:9; 1 Kings 4:26; Song of Solomon 3:10 Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1; Zechariah 9:10; Ephesians 5:25-27 Key Berean Standard Bible Quotations “Any saddle on which the man with the discharge rides will be unclean.” (Leviticus 15:9) “Solomon had four thousand stalls for his chariot horses and twelve thousand horses; he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.” (1 Kings 4:26) “He has made its posts of silver, its base of gold, its seat of purple; its interior adorned with love by the daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 3:10) Conclusion מֶרְכָּב traces a path from impurity to imperial strength to covenant celebration, illustrating how God speaks through the ordinary, the powerful, and the beautiful alike. Whether addressing holiness, governance, or marriage, Scripture employs the image of the chariot to draw hearts toward trust in the LORD who alone carries His people safely. Forms and Transliterations הַמֶּרְכָּ֗ב המרכב לְמֶרְכָּב֑וֹ למרכבו מֶרְכָּב֖וֹ מרכבו ham·mer·kāḇ hammerkāḇ hammerKav lə·mer·kā·ḇōw ləmerkāḇōw lemerkaVo mer·kā·ḇōw merkāḇōw merkaVoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 15:9 HEB: וְכָל־ הַמֶּרְכָּ֗ב אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִרְכַּ֥ב NAS: Every saddle on which KJV: And what saddle soever he rideth INT: Every saddle which rides 1 Kings 4:26 Songs 3:10 3 Occurrences |
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