מַשְׂרֵקָה (mas.re.qah)
mas.re.qah
Masrekah
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 Masrekah appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 as part of the genealogies of Esau’s descendants. It identifies a specific location in Edom, serving as the hometown of Samlah, one of the early kings listed in these royal lineages.
Linguistically, the name translates to "vineyard of noble vines" or simply "noble vineyard." This etymology suggests that the settlement was known for its agricultural quality, particularly viticulture, which was significant in the highlands of Edom. The sources highlight this meaning to distinguish it as a place named for its produce rather than its military or political status.
Its limited occurrence underscores its role primarily as a geographical marker within the broader narrative of Edomite history. By anchoring Samlah’s origin to a place defined by its vineyards, the text provides a tangible detail about the region’s economy and identity during the time of these early rulers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you read through the long lists of names in Genesis or Chronicles, it is easy to feel like they are just dry records with no connection to your daily life. Yet, God’s attention to detail is profound. He remembers Samlah of Masrekah, a ruler from a place whose name means "noble vineyard." This tells us that God cares about the specific places where people live and work, not just the grand events of history.
The fact that this town was known for its vines suggests that ordinary life—farming, growing food, and building communities—is part of God’s story. Even in genealogies that seem distant from us, we see a God who values the land and the people who tend it. Your own roots and surroundings are seen by Him.
These records remind us that no one is forgotten. Every name, every town, and every small detail is held in His memory. This offers a quiet comfort: you are known completely, down to the smallest part of your life, because God writes your story with the same care He used for these ancient names.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Masrekah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/מַּשְׂרֵקָֽה\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:36
Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
This verse places Samlah in Masrekah, showing how the text uses this specific location to anchor his reign within the broader lineage of Edom.
-
I Chronicles 1:47
Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
The repetition here confirms the historical reliability of the record and emphasizes that God preserves these details for future generations.