Original Word: מֵרֵעַ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: merea`
Pronunciation: meh-ray'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (may-ray'-ah)
Definition: a friend
Meaning: The term מֵרֵעַ refers to a friend, companion, or associate. It is used to describe someone with whom one shares a close relationship or bond.

Word Origin: Derived from the root רֵעַ (rēaʿ), which means "friend" or "companion."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • The corresponding Greek term in the New Testament is φίλος (G5384), which also means "friend" or "companion." This term is used in similar contexts to describe personal relationships and bonds of friendship, as seen in passages like John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

The concept of friendship as expressed by מֵרֵעַ in the Hebrew Bible and φίλος in the Greek New Testament highlights the enduring value of companionship, loyalty, and love within the biblical narrative.

Usage: The word מֵרֵעַ appears in various contexts throughout the Hebrew Bible, often denoting a close personal relationship or companionship. It is used to describe friendships and alliances, both in personal and communal settings.

Context: • The term מֵרֵעַ is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a friend or companion, often highlighting the importance of relationships and community. It appears in several key passages, illustrating the value placed on friendship and loyalty.
• In Proverbs 17:17, the concept of friendship is emphasized: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." This verse underscores the steadfast nature of true friendship, where a מֵרֵעַ is someone who remains loyal and supportive through all circumstances.
• The Book of Job also uses the term to describe Job's friends who come to comfort him in his time of distress, though their counsel is ultimately flawed (Job 2:11).
• In the context of social and communal relationships, מֵרֵעַ can also refer to neighbors or fellow members of a community, as seen in Leviticus 19:18: "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
• The term is not limited to positive connotations; it can also describe false friends or those who betray trust, as seen in Psalm 41:9: "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me."

Word Origin
from raah
Definition
friend, companion
NASB Translation
adviser (1), companion (3), companions (1), friends (2).

[מֵרֵעַ] noun masculine friend, companion (strange formation; origin dubious; Wetzst^{Syr. Dreschtafel, Z. Ethnol. 1873, 289} compare miryâ, name of bell-wether among Syrian nomads (properly [inseparable] companion), and derived from ריע ֗֗֗ , properly closely joined; compare Gerber^{97, 162}); — suffix מֵרֵעֵ֫הוּ Genesis 26:26 +, מְרֵעֵ֫הוּ Proverbs 19:7; מֵרֵעֶ֑ךָ Judges 15:2; plural מַרֵעִים Judges 14:11; — companion, confidential friend, Genesis 26:26 (J; compare רֵעֶה); of bridegroom's escort Genesis 14:11, 'best man' (GFM) Genesis 14:20; Genesis 15:2,6; more Generally friends ("" אחים) 2 Samuel 3:8; Proverbs 19:7; Proverbs 12:26 is dubious, Död Hi De and others מִרְעֵהוּ; Toy conjectures possibly (יָסֻר) מֵרָעָה, see further תור.

III. רעה (Aramaic רְעָא, , take pleasure (in), desire, = Arabic [Hebrew רָצָה], whence Aramaic רְעוּתָא desire, רַעֲיָנָא, רַעֲיוֺנָא, , opinion, thought, disposition, and following late and Aramaic words in Hebrew, compare Nö^{ZMG liv (1900), 155}; > De Siegf^{Qoh. 18} and others from I. רעה

2b, compare Hosea 12:2, and Arabic ; watch, regard, respect (Lane) [Ba^{WU 46 f.} Kau^{Armaismen 82 f.} derive following from I. רעה = observe, attend to, specifically tend sheep, also aim at, purpose]).

companion, friend

From ra'ah in the sense of companionship; a friend -- companion, friend.

see HEBREW ra'ah

לְמֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ לְמֵרֵעֵ֑הוּ לְמֵרֵעֶ֑ךָ למרעהו למרעך מְ֭רֵעֵהוּ מֵ֣רֵעֵ֔הוּ מֵֽרֵעִ֔ים מֵֽרֵעֵ֔הוּ מרעהו מרעים lə·mê·rê·‘ê·hū lə·mê·rê·‘e·ḵā ləmêrê‘êhū ləmêrê‘eḵā lemereEcha leMereEhu mê·rê·‘ê·hū mə·rê·‘ê·hū mê·rê·‘îm mêrê‘êhū mərê‘êhū mêrê‘îm mereEhu mereImInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts