Lexical Summary merea: Companion, friend, neighbor Original Word: מֵרֵעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance companion, friend From ra'ah in the sense of companionship; a friend -- companion, friend. see HEBREW ra'ah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom raah Definition friend, companion NASB Translation adviser (1), companion (3), companions (1), friends (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מֵרֵעַ] noun masculine friend, companion (strange formation; origin dubious; WetzstSyr. Dreschtafel, Z. Ethnol. 1873, 289 compare  miryâ, name of bell-wether among Syrian nomads (properly [inseparable] companion), and derived from ריע ֗֗֗ , properly closely joined; compare Gerber97, 162); — suffix מֵרֵעֵ֫הוּ Genesis 26:26 +, מְרֵעֵ֫הוּ Proverbs 19:7; מֵרֵעֶ֑ךָ Judges 15:2; plural מַרֵעִים Judges 14:11; — companion, confidential friend, Genesis 26:26 (J; compare רֵעֶה); of bridegroom's escort Genesis 14:11, 'best man' (GFM) Genesis 14:20; Genesis 15:2,6; more Generally friends ("" אחים) 2 Samuel 3:8; Proverbs 19:7; Proverbs 12:26 is dubious, Död Hi De and others מִרְעֵהוּ; Toy conjectures possibly (יָסֻר) מֵרָעָה, see further תור. III. רעה (Aramaic רְעָא, 2b, compare Hosea 12:2, and Arabic Topical Lexicon Definition and Semantic Range מֵרֵעַ denotes one who is bound to another in personal loyalty: a companion, confidant, friend, adviser, or associate. The term can describe both formal alliances and informal camaraderie, stressing relational nearness rather than mere proximity. Distribution in Scripture Genesis 26:26; Judges 14:11, 14:20, 15:2, 15:6; 2 Samuel 3:8; Proverbs 19:7. The settings move from patriarchal diplomacy to tribal festivities, royal politics, and wisdom reflection, giving a panoramic view of friendship in Israel’s life. Patriarchal Context (Genesis 26:26) Abimelech arrives with “Ahuzzath his adviser” (מֵרֵעַ). Friendship here functions as a diplomatic office; Isaac’s former adversary now sends a personal confidant to signal peaceful intentions. Genuine reconciliation is sealed not only by treaty but by relational trust. Companions in the Samson Narrative (Judges 14–15) Four occurrences cluster around Samson’s wedding feast: The word highlights ironic hospitality: those called friends facilitate treachery. The episodes warn that friendship divorced from covenant faithfulness becomes a tool of manipulation. Royal Loyalty and Offense (2 Samuel 3:8) Abner protests to Ish-bosheth, “Today I demonstrate loyalty … to his brothers, and to his friends.” A military commander appeals to friendships he has honored. מֵרֵעַ frames political allegiance as personal fidelity; violating or questioning it provokes indignation. Wisdom Literature Perspective (Proverbs 19:7) “All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him!” The proverb exposes the fragile nature of friendship grounded in advantage. Poverty tests relationships, revealing whether companions love persons or benefits. Covenantal and Social Dimensions Throughout Scripture, friendship carries covenant overtones. Whether in peace treaties (Genesis), wedding contracts (Judges), or court politics (2 Samuel), מֵרֵעַ assumes obligations of kindness (hesed), truth, and loyalty. Its misuse brings social breakdown; its honor strengthens community. Theological Implications 1. God values relational fidelity; unfaithful companions stand under implicit rebuke. Practical Ministry Applications • Foster covenantal friendships within the church, emphasizing commitment over convenience. Christological and Ecclesiological Reflections Jesus calls disciples “friends,” fulfilling the ideal glimpsed but never fully realized in מֵרֵעַ relationships. The church, united to Christ, embodies loyal companionship, extending the welcome of the true Friend to the world. Forms and Transliterations לְמֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ לְמֵרֵעֵ֑הוּ לְמֵרֵעֶ֑ךָ למרעהו למרעך מְ֭רֵעֵהוּ מֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ מֵֽרֵעִ֔ים מֵֽרֵעֵ֔הוּ מרעהו מרעים lə·mê·rê·‘ê·hū lə·mê·rê·‘e·ḵā ləmêrê‘êhū ləmêrê‘eḵā lemereEcha leMereEhu mê·rê·‘ê·hū mə·rê·‘ê·hū mê·rê·‘îm mêrê‘êhū mərê‘êhū mêrê‘îm mereEhu mereImLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 26:26 HEB: מִגְּרָ֑ר וַאֲחֻזַּת֙ מֵֽרֵעֵ֔הוּ וּפִיכֹ֖ל שַׂר־ NAS: to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath KJV: and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol INT: Gerar Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander Judges 14:11 Judges 14:20 Judges 15:2 Judges 15:6 2 Samuel 3:8 Proverbs 19:7 7 Occurrences |
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, take pleasure (in), desire, = Arabic 
[Hebrew רָצָה], whence Aramaic רְעוּתָא desire, רַעֲיָנָא, רַעֲיוֺנָא, 
, opinion, thought, disposition, and following late and Aramaic words in Hebrew, compare NöZMG liv (1900), 155; > De SiegfQoh. 18 and others from I. רעה 
; watch, regard, respect (Lane) [BaWU 46 f. KauArmaismen 82 f. derive following from I. רעה = observe, attend to, specifically tend sheep, also aim at, purpose]).