MEROZ, in Ancient Geography, a place in the
neighbourhood of the brook Kithon, whole inhabitants
refusing to come to the assistance of their brethren when
they fought with Sifera, were put under an anathema
(Judges v. 23.) "Curse ye Meroz, says the angel of
the Lord; curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof: be-
cause," &c. Some have thought that Meroz is the same
as Merus or Merom; and this F. Calmet thinks the most
probable opinion in this matter. Others will have it,
that Meroz was a mighty man, who dwelt near the
Kithon, and not caring to come to the assistance of Ba-
rak and Deborah, was excommunicated by the angel of
the Lord by the sound of 400 trumpets. The angel
of the Lord, according to some, was Barak, the gen-
eral of the Lord's army; but according to others he
was the high priest for the time being, or a prophet.