מֵרוֹז (me.roz)
me.roz
Meroz
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The noun Meroz refers to a specific location in northern Palestine, mentioned only once in the Hebrew Bible at Judges 5:23. In this context, it appears within Deborah’s song, a poetic celebration of Israel’s military victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera.
The name itself translates to "refuge," yet its usage here carries a sharp irony. The verse pronounces a curse upon the inhabitants of Meroz for failing to assist the Lord against the mighty warriors. This single reference highlights how geographic names in Scripture often carry theological weight, serving as markers of faithfulness or failure rather than mere coordinates on a map.
Because the text provides no further details about the town’s size or history, scholars focus on its symbolic role in the narrative. It stands as a stark contrast to the blessed cities that supported Israel, illustrating the consequences of neutrality when divine justice is at stake.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Meroz means 'refuge,' yet in Judges 5:23, it becomes a warning about spiritual neutrality. The angel of the Lord pronounces a curse on its inhabitants for staying silent when God’s people fought against their enemies. This story reminds us that faith is not just a private belief but an active stance. When we see injustice or need around us, our silence can speak louder than our words.
God calls His people to be present and engaged in the world He loves. We are invited to look for ways to stand with others, offering support and courage when it matters most. This passage challenges us to consider where we might be holding back from helping. It is a call to move from passive observation to active love, trusting that our small acts of faithfulness matter deeply to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Meroz1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵר֗וֹז1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 5:23
‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’
This verse directly links the name Meroz to a divine curse for failing to assist Yahweh in battle, highlighting the theological weight of neutrality.