מְרָתַיִם (me.ra.ta.yim)
me.ra.ta.yim
Merathaim
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Merathaim appears only once in Scripture, serving as a descriptive title for Babylon in Jeremiah 50:21. The form is dual, which suggests a meaning related to "double" or "twofold." Most lexical sources interpret the name as "double rebellion," reflecting the city’s perceived status as the primary agent of opposition against God and His people.
This single occurrence highlights how biblical writers sometimes used symbolic names for foreign powers. By calling Babylon Merathaim, the prophet emphasizes the depth and persistence of its defiance. The term functions less as a geographical label and more as a theological judgment on the empire’s character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Merathaim appears just once in the Hebrew Bible, tucked inside a prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 50:21. Its dual form suggests a meaning of "double" or "twofold," which most scholars connect to the idea of double rebellion. This is not a random geographic label but a theological statement about the empire’s character. It highlights how biblical writers used symbolic names to describe powers that stood in direct opposition to God.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God sees the depth of human defiance. Babylon was not just a political enemy; it represented a persistent, twofold rejection of divine authority. Yet, even in this harsh judgment, there is clarity. God does not ignore rebellion, but He also does not leave it unchecked. The prophecy assures us that justice will prevail.
When we face systems or attitudes that seem entrenched in opposition to truth, Merathaim offers a sobering perspective. It shows that God names things as they are, with full awareness of their nature. This honesty grounds our hope. We do not need to fear the power of rebellion because God’s judgment is precise and final. His word remains sure, even when empires rise and fall.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Merathaim1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְרָתַ֙יִם֙1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 50:21
“Go up against the land of Merathaim, even against it, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Kill and utterly destroy after them,” says Yahweh, “and do according to all that I have commanded you.
This verse uses Merathaim as a symbolic target for divine judgment, emphasizing Babylon's role as a twofold agent of rebellion against God.