מֵרוֹם (me.rom)
me.rom
Merom
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Merom, or me.rom, translates simply to "high place." It refers to a specific body of water in northern Canaan, likely the lake formed by the Jordan River about ten miles north of the Sea of Galilee. Although its exact site remains uncertain among scholars, the text identifies it as the location where Joshua defeated the northern confederacy led by King Jabin.
This name appears only twice in Scripture, both within the eleventh chapter of Joshua (Joshua 11:5 and 11:7). In these verses, the waters serve as a geographic marker for a decisive military victory. The sources emphasize that the term describes the physical setting rather than a religious shrine, distinguishing it from other Hebrew words for high places used in idolatrous contexts.
The brevity of its usage highlights its role as a historical landmark. By naming the location "high place," the text may subtly reflect the terrain’s elevation relative to the surrounding valleys. This single detail anchors the narrative of Israel’s conquest in a tangible, real-world geography that readers can visualize.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Merom simply means "high place," referring to a body of water in northern Canaan where Joshua faced a powerful coalition of kings. This location marks a decisive moment in Israel’s history, showing that God’s promises are fulfilled in real, tangible geography. When you read about the waters of Merom, you are reminded that faith is not abstract; it meets us in specific places and times.
God used Joshua to defeat a united enemy at this high place, demonstrating His power over overwhelming odds. For believers today, this story offers hope when facing challenges that seem too large to overcome. The same God who guided Israel’s victory is present in your life, bringing peace and resolution to your own struggles.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Merom2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵר֖וֹם1×
- מֵר֔וֹם1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 11:5
All these kings met together; and they came and encamped together at the waters of Merom, to fight with Israel.
This verse establishes the waters of Merom as the gathering point for a united northern coalition, highlighting the scale of the opposition Israel faced.
-
Joshua 11:7
So Joshua came suddenly, with all the warriors, against them by the waters of Merom, and attacked them.
Here Joshua launches a sudden attack at the waters of Merom, showing God’s timing and strategy in securing victory for His people.