Meran
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
( Μεῤῥαν ,Vulg. Me-Rrha ), a place mentioned along with Theman as famous for its merchants and its wise men ( Baruch 3:23). The association with the Hagarenes leads us to seek for Meran in Arabia. It may be Mohrah in Desert Arabia, or Marane , of which Pliny speaks ( ''N. H'' . 6:28,32). Strabo (xvi. 4, p. 776) and Diodor. Sic. (iii. 43) also mention the Μαρανῖται . The conjecture of Grotinus that it is the Mearah mentioned in Joshua 13:4, and that of Havernick ( De Librno Baruch , p. 5) that it is the Syrian town Maarah , are mere guesses (comp. Fritzsche, Exeqet. Hdb. Z. Apok . ad loc.).-Kitto. The suggestion of Hitzig ( Psalmen , ii 119) that Meran is merely a corruption of "Medan" or " Midian." owing to the ready mistake: by a translator of ד for ר , is more plausible, although there is little evidence of a Hebrew original for this portion of Baruch. Junins and Tremellius give Medancei , and their conjecture is supported by the appearance of the Midianites as nomade merchants in Genesis 37, Both Medan and Midian. are enumerated among the sons of Keturah in Genesis 25:21 and are closely connected with the Deaanim, whose " travelling companies," or caravans, are frequently alluded to ( Isaiah 21:13; Ezekiel 27:15).
