מַעֲרָה
ma.a.rah (H4634)
army
AI Word Study
The Hebrew word מַעֲרָה (ma.a.rah) is defined as "army." It suggests a collective group of people organized for military purposes. This term appears 19 times in the Bible, indicating its significant role in ancient Hebrew society. The usage of this word spans various references to armed groups, from large-scale armies (e.g., Egyptian armies) to smaller units, such as groups of mercenaries or warriors. Its context-dependent meaning allows for a range of translation, including an organized force, an army, a band of warriors, or even a cohort. This linguistic versatility underscores the military and societal importance of the word. The significance of מַעֲרָה lies in its reflection of ancient warfare practices, where organized groups played a crucial role in shaping the fate of nations. The repeated appearances of this term in the Bible highlight its relevance to the strategic and cultural aspects of warfare in the Hebrew sphere.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light,
Then build an altar to Yahweh your God on the top of this stronghold, in an orderly way, and take the second bull, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.”
The Philistines put themselves in array against Israel. When they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field.
A man of Benjamin ran out of the army and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head.
The man said to Eli, “I am he who came out of the army, and I fled today out of the army.” He said, “How did the matter go, my son?”
He stood and cried to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to set your battle in array? Am I not a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.
The Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel today! Give me a man, that we may fight together!”
David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went, as Jesse had commanded him. He came to the place of the wagons, as the army which was going out to the fight shouted for the battle.
Israel and the Philistines put the battle in array, army against army.
David left his baggage in the hand of the keeper of the baggage, and ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers.
As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines, and said the same words; and David heard them.
David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done to the man who kills this Philistine, and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
Your servant struck both the lion and the bear. This uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.”
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
When the Philistine arose, and walked and came near to meet David, David hurried, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
David’s men said to him, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?”
All these were men of war, who could order the battle array, and came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.