Original Word: מֵרֵעַ
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: merea`
Pronunciation: meh-ray'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (may-ray'-ah)
KJV: companion, friend
NASB: companion, friends, adviser, companions
Word Origin: [from H7462 (רָעָה - To shepherd) in the sense of companionship]

1. a friend

companion, friend

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

see HEBREW ra'ah

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]).

Definition and Semantic Range

מֵרֵעַ denotes one who is bound to another in personal loyalty: a companion, confidant, friend, adviser, or associate. The term can describe both formal alliances and informal camaraderie, stressing relational nearness rather than mere proximity.

Distribution in Scripture

Genesis 26:26; Judges 14:11, 14:20, 15:2, 15:6; 2 Samuel 3:8; Proverbs 19:7. The settings move from patriarchal diplomacy to tribal festivities, royal politics, and wisdom reflection, giving a panoramic view of friendship in Israel’s life.

Patriarchal Context (Genesis 26:26)

Abimelech arrives with “Ahuzzath his adviser” (מֵרֵעַ). Friendship here functions as a diplomatic office; Isaac’s former adversary now sends a personal confidant to signal peaceful intentions. Genuine reconciliation is sealed not only by treaty but by relational trust.

Companions in the Samson Narrative (Judges 14–15)

Four occurrences cluster around Samson’s wedding feast:
• Judges 14:11 – thirty companions provided by the Philistines.
• Judges 14:20 – Samson’s bride is given to “one of his companions.”
• Judges 15:2, 15:6 – repetition underscores betrayal.

The word highlights ironic hospitality: those called friends facilitate treachery. The episodes warn that friendship divorced from covenant faithfulness becomes a tool of manipulation.

Royal Loyalty and Offense (2 Samuel 3:8)

Abner protests to Ish-bosheth, “Today I demonstrate loyalty … to his brothers, and to his friends.” A military commander appeals to friendships he has honored. מֵרֵעַ frames political allegiance as personal fidelity; violating or questioning it provokes indignation.

Wisdom Literature Perspective (Proverbs 19:7)

“All the brothers of a poor man hate him—how much more do his friends avoid him!” The proverb exposes the fragile nature of friendship grounded in advantage. Poverty tests relationships, revealing whether companions love persons or benefits.

Covenantal and Social Dimensions

Throughout Scripture, friendship carries covenant overtones. Whether in peace treaties (Genesis), wedding contracts (Judges), or court politics (2 Samuel), מֵרֵעַ assumes obligations of kindness (hesed), truth, and loyalty. Its misuse brings social breakdown; its honor strengthens community.

Theological Implications

1. God values relational fidelity; unfaithful companions stand under implicit rebuke.
2. The faithful friend mirrors God’s steadfast love, while the fair-weather friend illustrates human fallenness.
3. Scripture’s storyline anticipates a perfect Friend who will never betray (cf. John 15:13-15).

Practical Ministry Applications

• Foster covenantal friendships within the church, emphasizing commitment over convenience.
• Counsel believers to weigh companions by character, not social capital.
• Comfort the abandoned poor with the assurance that the Lord “sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6) when human friends depart.

Christological and Ecclesiological Reflections

Jesus calls disciples “friends,” fulfilling the ideal glimpsed but never fully realized in מֵרֵעַ relationships. The church, united to Christ, embodies loyal companionship, extending the welcome of the true Friend to the world.

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