מֵרוֹץ (me.rots)
me.rots
race
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun merots refers to a race or the course in which running takes place. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Ecclesiastes 9:11. In this context, it describes the competitive nature of life where speed and skill do not guarantee victory.
Its meaning extends beyond simple physical exertion to encompass the entire arena or track. The text uses it to illustrate that the swift do not always win the race, emphasizing that outcomes are often determined by chance and timing rather than mere ability alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word merots, meaning race or track, appears only once in Scripture at Ecclesiastes 9:11. This single occurrence reminds us that life is not a simple contest of speed or strength. We often assume that hard work and natural talent guarantee success, but this verse challenges that comfortable assumption.
When we feel stuck or overlooked, it helps to remember that outcomes are shaped by factors beyond our control. Time and chance play roles in every journey. This truth frees us from the pressure to perform perfectly and invites us to trust God’s timing over our own efforts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ race1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מֵּר֜וֹץ1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
This verse uses merots to illustrate that natural ability, like swiftness in a race, does not ensure victory because time and chance influence all outcomes.