מְרֵמוֹת (me.re.mot)
me.re.mot
Meremoth
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Meremoth, meaning "elevations," appears five times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the accounts of the post-exilic restoration under Ezra and Nehemiah. It identifies a specific group of individuals rather than a single famous figure, linking three distinct men who served as priests or community leaders during this critical period of rebuilding.
The most prominent Meremoth is the son of Uriah from the family of Koz. He plays a central role in the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem, notably overseeing a section of the city wall (Nehemiah 3:21) and later serving in the seventh division of temple priests (Nehemiah 12:15-16). Another Meremoth is listed among the returning exiles who had married foreign wives, highlighting the complex social and religious reforms enacted by Ezra to purify the community’s lineage (Ezra 10:36).
A third individual bearing this name is mentioned in Ezra 8:33 as a leader involved in weighing the temple offerings. While the sources note a variant spelling, Meraioth, used in Nehemiah 12:15, the core meaning of "elevations" may reflect a family tradition or a theological emphasis on height and holiness. These names anchor the narrative of restoration in real people who managed both sacred duties and civic responsibilities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Meremoth appears in the Hebrew Bible as a reminder that God uses ordinary people for significant purposes. It identifies several men who served as priests and community leaders during the post-exilic restoration. These individuals were not famous rulers, but faithful servants who helped rebuild Jerusalem's walls and manage the temple's sacred duties.
One Meremoth, son of Uriah, is noted for repairing a section of the city wall near the house of Eliashib (Nehemiah 3:21). Another weighed the silver and gold offerings with care (Ezra 8:33). Their lives show that stewardship and service are vital parts of faith. God values those who faithfully manage their responsibilities, whether in construction or worship.
These accounts encourage us to see our own daily tasks as opportunities for service. Just as Meremoth helped restore the community, we can contribute to God's work through faithful obedience. This history reminds us that every act of diligence matters in the eyes of God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Meremoth5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְרֵמ֤וֹת2×
- מְרֵמֹֽת\׃1×
- מְרֵמ֧וֹת1×
- מְרֵמ֖וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 3:21
After him, Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
This verse highlights Meremoth's role in physically rebuilding Jerusalem's defenses, showing how civic duty and spiritual service were intertwined.
-
Ezra 8:33
On the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them were Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levites.
Here Meremoth demonstrates integrity by carefully weighing temple treasures, ensuring the community's offerings were handled with precision and honesty.
-
Nehemiah 3:4
Next to them, Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them, Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them, Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
This occurrence places Meremoth among other leaders working together to restore the city walls, emphasizing communal effort in restoration.