Meah
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:
The term "Meah" is a Hebrew word that translates to "hundred." It is used in the context of biblical geography and construction, specifically in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. The word is often associated with a specific tower mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Meah is found in the Book of Nehemiah, which details the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. In Nehemiah 3:1, the Tower of Meah is mentioned as part of the reconstruction efforts led by Nehemiah: "Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors, rebuilding as far as the Tower of the Hundred and dedicating it, and as far as the Tower of Hananel" (Nehemiah 3:1).

Historical and Geographical Context:
The Tower of Meah, also known as the Tower of the Hundred, was a significant landmark in the ancient city of Jerusalem. It was part of the fortifications that protected the city and was located near the Sheep Gate, which was one of the main entrances to the city. The exact location and archaeological details of the Tower of Meah remain uncertain, but it is believed to have been situated in the northern section of Jerusalem's wall.

Theological Significance:
The rebuilding of the Tower of Meah, along with the rest of Jerusalem's walls, symbolizes the restoration and renewal of the Jewish community after the exile. It represents God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people, as well as the communal effort and dedication required to restore what had been lost. The mention of the Tower of Meah in Nehemiah underscores the importance of unity and cooperation among the Israelites in achieving their God-given mission.

Cultural and Religious Importance:
In the context of Jewish history, the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, including the Tower of Meah, was a pivotal moment that marked the re-establishment of Jerusalem as the center of Jewish worship and governance. It was a time of spiritual revival and recommitment to the covenant with God. The efforts to rebuild the city were led by Nehemiah, who was appointed as governor by the Persian king Artaxerxes, and were supported by the high priest Eliashib and other leaders.

Symbolism and Lessons:
The Tower of Meah serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in the spiritual life. Just as the physical walls of Jerusalem were essential for the city's protection, so too are spiritual defenses necessary for safeguarding one's faith. The cooperative effort to rebuild the walls highlights the value of community and shared purpose in achieving God's plans.

Conclusion:
While the Tower of Meah is a relatively minor detail in the grand narrative of the Bible, its inclusion in the Book of Nehemiah reflects the broader themes of restoration, faithfulness, and communal effort that are central to the biblical message.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Meah

a hundred cubits

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Meah

(a hundred), The tower of, one of the towers of the wall of Jerusalem when rebuilt by Nehemiah, (Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39) appears to have been situated somewhere at the northeast part of the city, outside of the walls of Zion.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
An hundred, a tower in Jersalem on the east wall (Nehemiah 3:1) in the time of Nehemiah.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MEAH

me'-a (me'ah, "hundred").

See HAMMEAH.

TOWER OF MEAH

me'-a.

See HAMMEAH.

Strong's Hebrew
3968. Meah -- a tower on the N. wall of Jer.
... 3967, 3968. Meah. 3969 . a tower on the N. wall of Jer. Transliteration:
Meah Phonetic Spelling: (may-aw') Short Definition: hundred. ...
/hebrew/3968.htm - 6k

3969. meah -- hundred
... 3968, 3969. meah. 3970 . hundred. Transliteration: meah Phonetic Spelling:
(meh-aw') Short Definition: 100. ... 3968, 3969. meah. 3970 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3969.htm - 6k

3967. meah -- hundred
meah or meyah. 3966, 3967. meah or meyah. 3968 . hundred. Transliteration:
meah or meyah Phonetic Spelling: (may-aw') Short Definition: hundred. ...
/hebrew/3967.htm - 8k

4577. meah -- belly
meah or mea. 4576, 4577. meah or mea. 4578 . belly. Transliteration: meah
or mea Phonetic Spelling: (meh-aw') Short Definition: belly. ...
/hebrew/4577.htm - 6k

Library

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
... Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower
of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 26 the girdle of.htm

Thesaurus
Meah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MEAH. me'-a (me'ah, "hundred"). See HAMMEAH.
TOWER OF MEAH. me'-a. See HAMMEAH. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/meah.htm - 7k

Fatling (4 Occurrences)
... corn-fed;" ie, installed, fat). (2.) Psalm 66:15 (Hebrews meah, meaning
"marrowy, " "fat, " a species of sheep). (3.) 1 Samuel 15:9 ...
/f/fatling.htm - 8k

Tires (3 Occurrences)
... TOWER OF EDAR (THE FLOCK). See EDER. TOWER OF HANANEEL. See HANANEL. TOWER OF MEAH.
me'-a. See HAMMEAH. Multi-Version Concordance Tires (3 Occurrences). ...
/t/tires.htm - 8k

Meager (1 Occurrence)

/m/meager.htm - 6k

Sheep-gate (2 Occurrences)
... They hallowed it, and set up its doors; and they hallowed it even to the
tower of Meah, to the tower of Hananeel. (DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/sheep-gate.htm - 7k

Hananeel (3 Occurrences)
... up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified
it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified ...
/h/hananeel.htm - 8k

Builded (65 Occurrences)
... up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified
it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified ...
/b/builded.htm - 27k

Hammeah (2 Occurrences)
... ha-me'-a, ham'-ea (ha-me'ah (Nehemiah 3:1); the King James Version Meah): The origin
of the name is obscure; in the margin the meaning is given "Tower of the ...
/h/hammeah.htm - 8k

Meal (288 Occurrences)

/m/meal.htm - 36k

Tower (74 Occurrences)
... ha-me'-a, ham'-ea (ha-me'ah (Nehemiah 3:1); the King James Version Meah): The origin
of the name is obscure; in the margin the meaning is given "Tower of the ...
/t/tower.htm - 52k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Meah (1 Occurrence)

Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up its doors; even to the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananel.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Meah

Meah: A Tower in Jerusalem

Related Terms

Fatling (4 Occurrences)

Tires (3 Occurrences)

Meager (1 Occurrence)

Sheep-gate (2 Occurrences)

Hananeel (3 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Hammeah (2 Occurrences)

Meal (288 Occurrences)

Tower (74 Occurrences)

Hallowed (86 Occurrences)

Meager
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