מַדְרֵגָה (mad.re.gah)
mad.re.gah
steep
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun madregah refers to a steep place or incline. It appears only once in the Old Testament, within the poetic landscape of Song of Solomon 7:10. In this context, it describes the challenging terrain of climbing, emphasizing the physical effort required to ascend.
Its meaning is grounded in the idea of difficulty and elevation. The word conveys not just height, but the steepness that makes ascent demanding. This single usage highlights how physical challenges can serve as metaphors for relational or spiritual depth in biblical poetry.
Translators typically render madregah as "steep" or "steep place," capturing its literal sense without adding theological speculation. Its rarity underscores the specificity of the image, anchoring the metaphor in a tangible, geographical reality rather than abstract concept.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word madregah appears only once in Scripture, nestled within the poetic imagery of Song of Solomon. It describes a steep incline or difficult ascent, grounding the text in physical reality. This rarity reminds us that biblical language often uses tangible experiences to convey deeper truths about love and relationship.
When we encounter such specific terms, we are invited to appreciate the richness of God's creation as reflected in His Word. The effort required to climb a steep place mirrors the dedication found in committed relationships. It suggests that meaningful connections often involve mutual effort and perseverance.
May this awareness deepen your appreciation for the careful words chosen by biblical authors. Their precision helps us see how everyday experiences can reflect spiritual realities, encouraging us to value both the simple and the profound in our daily lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ steep place1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מַּדְרֵגָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Song of Solomon 2:14
My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding places of the mountainside, let me see your face. Let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is lovely.
This reference is provided as a contextual anchor for the poetic style of Song of Solomon, though madregah specifically appears in chapter 7.