Lexical Summary
merchaq: Distance, far place, remote place
Original Word:מֶרְחָק
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:merchaq
Pronunciation:mer-khawk'
Phonetic Spelling:(mer-khawk')
KJV: (a-, dwell in, very) far (country, off) See also H1023
NASB:afar, distant, far, afar off, far away, far countries, far-distant
1. remoteness
2. (concretely) a distant place
3. (adverbially, often) from afar
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
very far country, afar
Fromrachaq; remoteness, i.e. (concretely) a distant place; often (adverbially) from afar -- (a-, dwell in, very) far (country, off). See alsoBeyth ham-Merchaq.
see HEBREWrachaq
see HEBREWBeyth ham-Merchaq
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
rachaqDefinitiondistant place, distance
NASB Translationafar (5), afar off (1), distant (3), far (3), far away (1), far countries (1), far-distant (1), last (1), remote place (1), remote places (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute
Isaiah 10:3 +,
Psalm 138:6; plural
Zechariah 10:9,
Isaiah 33:17;
Jeremiah 8:19, construct
Isaiah 8:9; —
distant place, far countryIsaiah 8:9;
Zechariah 10:9; often with :
land of distance, distant land
Isaiah 13:5;
Isaiah 46:11;
Jeremiah 4:16;
Jeremiah 6:20;
Proverbs 25:25, so with plural
Jeremiah 8:19,
land of distances, i.e. of wide extent,
Isaiah 33:17;
from farIsaiah 10:3;
Isaiah 30:27;
Jeremiah 5:15;
Ezekiel 23:40;
Proverbs 31:14; figurative
Psalm 138:6;
at a distanceJeremiah 31:10,
to a distanceIsaiah 17:13. — .
Topical Lexicon
Overviewמֶרְחָק (merchāq) expresses literal and figurative “distance.” Scripture employs the term to describe far-flung places, invading armies, trade routes, and—most pointedly—the moral and relational gap between God and humanity. Across its occurrences the Spirit weaves a tapestry in which physical remoteness becomes a stage for both judgment and grace.
Geographical Horizons and Commerce
Distance is first a matter of geography. The valiant wife “is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar” (Proverbs 31:14), and cold water “from a distant land” refreshes a weary soul (Proverbs 25:25). Long trade routes enlarge Israel’s table and imagination; they also hint at the global scope of God’s providence. Ezekiel later pictures Judah courting foreign lovers: “They even sent messengers for men who came from afar” (Ezekiel 23:40). The same seas that carry provisions can carry temptation, underscoring the need for discernment amid expanding cultural exchange.
Military Threats and Instruments of Judgment
Prophets repeatedly warn of destructive forces rising from distant frontiers:
• “What will you do on the day of reckoning, when destruction comes from afar?” (Isaiah 10:3).
• “Behold, I am bringing against you a nation from afar” (Jeremiah 5:15).
• “They are coming from a far land… the LORD and the weapons of His wrath” (Isaiah 13:5).
Distance here magnifies dread. The empire that has not yet appeared on the horizon is already summoned by God’s decree. Merchāq therefore highlights divine sovereignty: the Lord rules the farthest territories and may enlist them to chastise His covenant people when they spurn His word.
Divine Transcendence and Nearness
Psalm 138:6 sets an essential counterpoint: “Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.” The same term that measures miles also measures humility. Pride lengthens the relational gap; contrition shortens it. Similarly, Isaiah assures that “the name of the LORD comes from afar” (Isaiah 30:27). God is never hindered by distance—spatial or spiritual—in rendering salvation or judgment.
Prophetic Vision of a Spreading Kingdom
Merchāq also frames eschatological hope. Isaiah’s audience is promised they will “behold a land that stretches afar” (Isaiah 33:17), expanding the inheritance beyond their present borders. Jeremiah proclaims to the Gentile world: “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘The One who scattered Israel will gather them’” (Jeremiah 31:10). Zechariah echoes: “Yet in distant lands they will remember Me… they and their children will live and return” (Zechariah 10:9). Geographic dispersion will not thwart covenant fidelity; God gathers from the outermost merchāq to form one flock under one Shepherd.
Wisdom on News, Worship, and the Human Heart
Good news traversing distance exhilarates (Proverbs 25:25), but perfunctory worship—even when incense comes “from a distant land” (Jeremiah 6:20)—grieves God. External expense cannot compensate for internal estrangement. True devotion bridges the gap that offerings alone cannot cross.
Pastoral and Missional Applications
1. Assurance of God’s reach. No believer is beyond the grasp of grace; the Lord “comes from afar” to redeem.
2. Warning against pride. Haughty hearts may be left “afar” even while lips draw near.
3. Motivation for missions. The prophetic inclusion of distant coastlands validates global evangelism.
4. Discernment in cultural exchange. Commerce and communication from afar can bless or corrupt; the wise test every arrival by God’s truth.
5. Hope amid exile. The scattered can be confident: distance neither annuls identity nor nullifies promise.
Summary
מֶרְחָק portrays more than mileage. It is the canvas upon which Scripture paints God’s supremacy over space, His readiness to discipline, and His unrelenting purpose to gather a people for His glory from every far-off corner of the earth.
Forms and Transliterations
הַמֶּרְחָ֑ק המרחק וּבַמֶּרְחַקִּ֖ים ובמרחקים מִ֝מֶּרְחָ֗ק מִמֶּרְחָ֑ק מִמֶּרְחָ֔ק מִמֶּרְחָ֛ק מִמֶּרְחָ֣ק מִמֶּרְחָ֥ק מֶרְחַקֵּי־ מֶרְחָ֑ק מֶרְחָ֖ק מֶרְחָֽק׃ מַרְחַקִּ֔ים מַרְחַקִּֽים׃ ממרחק מרחק מרחק׃ מרחקי־ מרחקים מרחקים׃ ham·mer·ḥāq hammerChak hammerḥāq mar·ḥaq·qîm marchakKim marḥaqqîm mer·ḥāq mer·ḥaq·qê- merChak merchakkei merḥāq merḥaqqê- mim·mer·ḥāq mimerChak mimmerḥāq ū·ḇam·mer·ḥaq·qîm ūḇammerḥaqqîm uvammerchakKim
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