Lexical Summary Maralah: Maralah Original Word: מַרְעֲלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Maralah From ra'al; perhaps, earthquake; Maralah, a place in Palestine -- Maralah. see HEBREW ra'al NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a place on the border of Zebulun NASB Translation Maralah (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַרְעֲלָה proper name, of a location on border of Zebulun Joshua 19:1. ᵐ5 Μαραγελδα, A Μαριλα, ᵐ5L Μαραλα. מַרְמֵּא, מַרְמֵּה see רפא. [מִרְמָּשׂ] see רפשׂ. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence and Geographic Setting Maralah appears once in Scripture, in the delineation of Zebulun’s inheritance (Joshua 19:11). The Berean Standard Bible records: “Their border went up westward to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and reached the brook east of Jokneam.” The term serves as a topographical landmark on the western flank of Zebulun’s territory, likely situated on the lower slopes of Mount Carmel or its foothills, several miles southeast of the modern coastal plain. Historical Context within Israel’s Settlement Joshua 19 details the casting of lots at Shiloh for the final distribution of Canaan among the remaining tribes. Maralah, therefore, marks a moment when the conquest transitions to settled inheritance. The explicit mention of such minor sites underscores the precision with which the land promise to Abraham was fulfilled (Genesis 15:18; Joshua 21:43–45). Each marker witnessed the covenant faithfulness of God and helped prevent later tribal boundary disputes (compare Deuteronomy 19:14). Theological Significance of Boundary Markers In ancient Israel, borders carried spiritual weight. Stones, cities, and natural features alike testified to divine provision (Psalm 16:5–6). Maralah functioned as a witness that the territory belonged to Zebulun by divine allotment, safeguarding the tribe’s identity and inheritance until “each one returned to his own property” in the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:10–13). Prophetic and Messianic Resonance Although Maralah itself is not cited in prophetic literature, its placement in Zebulun’s domain indirectly feeds into later messianic geography. Isaiah foretold that “the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” would see a great light (Isaiah 9:1–2), fulfilled when Jesus ministered in Galilee (Matthew 4:13–16). The boundaries first traced at Maralah helped define the very region where the Galilean ministry unfolded. Lessons for Ministry Today 1. Faithfulness in Small Details: God’s meticulous care for tribal borders encourages believers to trust His concern for the particulars of their own callings (Luke 12:7). Archaeological Considerations Attempts to pinpoint Maralah have proposed sites such as Khirbet el-Mahraqa or Tell Abu Shusha. While definitive identification remains elusive, surveys in the Carmel region consistently uncover Iron-Age remains, affirming dense Israelite occupation corresponding to the settlement period described in Joshua. Intertextual Connections • Joshua 19:11 – Maralah as Zebulun’s western border. Maralah, though mentioned only once, anchors a physical and theological boundary that reverberates throughout redemptive history, illustrating how every detail in Scripture contributes to the unfolding plan of God. Forms and Transliterations וּמַרְעֲלָ֖ה ומרעלה ū·mar·‘ă·lāh ūmar‘ălāh umaraLahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 19:11 HEB: גְבוּלָ֧ם ׀ לַיָּ֛מָּה וּמַרְעֲלָ֖ה וּפָגַ֣ע בְּדַבָּ֑שֶׁת NAS: up to the west and to Maralah, it then touched KJV: toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached INT: their border to the west Maralah touched Dabbesheth 1 Occurrence |
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