a primitive root; to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter, i.e. be painful; fretting, picking.
Transliteration:mâʼar
Pronunciation:maw-ar'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H3992}}` (מָאַר, *mâʼar*) is a primitive root, conveying a fundamental sense of discomfort or irritation. Its primary meaning is "to be bitter," extending to a causative sense, "to embitter," or "to make painful." This core concept expands to encompass states of internal distress, such as "fretting," implying a persistent, gnawing anxiety or irritation. Furthermore, the definition includes "picking," which can denote a meticulous, perhaps forceful, removal or separation. Thus, the semantic range of `{{H3992}}` touches upon physical or emotional pain, unpleasant sensations, and the act of removing or wearing away something, often in a persistent or uncomfortable manner.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H3992}}` is remarkably rare in the Masoretic Text, appearing only once, in a highly specific context within the Levitical laws concerning ritual purity.
* **[[Leviticus 14:41]]**: "And he shall scrape the house within round about, and they shall cast away the dust that they scrape out, into an unclean place outside the city."
* Here, the word appears as וּמָאַר (u-mâʼar), a Hiphil imperfect form, which is translated as "he shall scrape" or "he shall make smooth/bare." This instruction is part of the purification ritual for a house afflicted with "leprous disease" (צָרַעַת, *tsara'at*). The priest commands the removal of the affected plaster and stones.
* The connection between the base definition of "bitter/painful/fretting" and the action of "scraping" requires careful consideration. One interpretation is that the "fretting" aspect of the root refers to the insidious, decaying nature of the disease itself, which "eats away" or "fretted" the house. The act of "scraping" then becomes the necessary, perhaps unpleasant, process of "picking away" or forcibly removing the source of the defilement. The Hiphil stem emphasizes the causative action of making the house bare or smooth by removal. The process is thorough and reflects the severity of the impurity, akin to a painful but necessary excision. This single occurrence highlights the meticulousness required in dealing with defilement under the Mosaic Covenant.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H3992}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms:
* **Words related to bitterness and pain:**
* `{{H4751}}` (מַר, *mar*): The adjective "bitter," frequently used to describe taste, experience, or emotion (e.g., [[Exodus 15:23]], [[Ruth 1:20]]).
* `{{H4843}}` (מָרַר, *marar*): A verb meaning "to be bitter," "to show bitterness," or "to provoke" (e.g., [[Exodus 1:14]], [[Job 27:2]]). This root is closely related and shares a core semantic range.
* `{{H4844}}` (מְרוֹרָה, *merorah*): "Gall" or "bitterness," often referring to a bitter substance or a state of extreme bitterness (e.g., [[Job 13:26]]).
* `{{H3510}}` (כָּאַב, *kaʼav*): "To be in pain," "to suffer," indicating physical or emotional distress (e.g., [[Job 14:22]]).
* **Words related to scraping or cleansing:**
* `{{H1494}}` (גָּרַד, *gared*): "To scrape," used in the context of removing something from a surface, particularly in relation to skin diseases or cleansing rituals (e.g., [[Leviticus 14:40]], immediately preceding `{{H3992}}`). The proximity of these two terms in the Leviticus passage suggests a shared conceptual space regarding thorough removal.
While `{{H3992}}` shares its root concept of "bitterness" with a broader family of words, its unique application in [[Leviticus 14:41]] highlights a specialized usage that bridges the idea of something "fretting" (like disease) and the act of "picking away" or "scraping" to remove it.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological significance of `{{H3992}}` in [[Leviticus 14:41]] is profound. It underscores several key aspects of biblical theology:
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The meticulous command to "scrape" the house emphasizes God's absolute demand for holiness, extending even to inanimate objects that become defiled. The presence of disease or impurity is not to be tolerated but must be thoroughly removed.
2. **The Insidious Nature of Sin/Defilement:** If the "fretting" aspect of the root is applied to the disease in the house, it symbolizes how defilement can subtly and persistently "eat away" at creation, requiring drastic measures for its eradication. This mirrors the pervasive and destructive nature of sin.
3. **Divine Authority and Meticulousness:** The precise instructions, including the use of this rare but specific verb, demonstrate the divine authorship of the Law and its comprehensive nature. God's concern for order and purity is not superficial but extends to the deepest layers of defilement, demanding a complete and painful removal.
4. **The Necessity of Radical Cleansing:** The act of "scraping" signifies a radical, perhaps unpleasant, but absolutely necessary process of purification. It suggests that dealing with impurity or sin often requires a thorough, uncompromising removal, leaving no residue.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H3992}}` (מָאַר, *mâʼar*) fundamentally conveys the concepts of "to be bitter," "to embitter," "to be painful," and by extension, "fretting" and "picking." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Leviticus 14:41]] is highly significant, where it describes the act of "scraping" a house afflicted with leprous disease. This unique usage bridges the idea of something "fretting" or "eating away" (the disease) with the forceful, thorough act of "picking away" or removing the defilement. Theologically, `{{H3992}}` powerfully illustrates God's unwavering demand for holiness, the insidious nature of defilement, and the necessity of radical, meticulous cleansing to restore purity in accordance with divine law.
TRV