The Hebrew word mâhar, represented by H4117, refers to the act of bargaining for a wife, specifically to endow or wed her. It appears 2 times across 1 unique verse in the Bible. The word's root suggests an idea of readiness in assent, which translates into the legal and financial commitment of an endowment, and is also used idiomatically to mean surely.
The sole use of H4117 is found in a specific legal context within the book of Exodus. The law dictates that if a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, "he shall surely endow her to be his wife" Exodus 22:16. The double usage in this verse emphasizes both the certainty of the obligation (surely) and the required action (endow), highlighting its role as a binding legal remedy to establish a marriage.
Several related words clarify the context in which H4117 is used:
- H376 ʼîysh (a man as an individual or a male person): This word identifies the person legally obligated to provide the endowment. The law holds the man accountable for his actions, requiring him to formalize a marriage Exodus 22:16, a principle rooted in the idea that a man is to cleave to his wife Genesis 2:24.
- H6601 pâthâh (to... entice): This describes the initial action that triggers the law of endowment. It is the act of persuasion or delusion Exodus 22:16 that leads to the required marital arrangement. The term can also describe being deceived or persuaded in other contexts Jeremiah 20:7.
- H1330 bᵉthûwlâh (a virgin... maid): This term identifies the person who is to be endowed. The law provides protection and provision for the maid by ensuring she is given the security of a marriage endowment Exodus 22:16.
- H781 ʼâras (to engage for matrimony; betroth, espouse): This word is critical as it defines the woman's status. The law of endowment applies specifically because the maid is "not betrothed" Exodus 22:16, making the man's action a violation that must be rectified through marriage.
The legal weight of H4117 carries significant theological implications regarding justice and covenant.
- Social Justice and Provision: The requirement to endow serves as a mechanism for justice. It ensures that a woman is not abandoned but is provided for and her status secured within the community through a formal marriage bond Exodus 22:16.
- Personal Responsibility: The law assigns direct accountability to the man (H376) for his actions. The endowment is not optional but a mandatory act that formalizes the union he initiated, obligating him to take her as his wife (H802) Exodus 22:16.
- Foundation of Marriage: Though arising from a transgression, the required endowment reinforces that marriage is a binding, legal institution. It demonstrates how a formal, covenantal action is required to establish the marital relationship.
In summary, H4117 is more than a simple word for a transaction. It is a specific legal term that defines the act of establishing a marriage through an endowment, particularly as a means of restitution. It reveals a biblical emphasis on personal responsibility, social justice for the vulnerable, and the binding nature of the marriage covenant. The single instance of this word illustrates how a precise legal instruction can reflect broader theological principles of order and righteousness.
TRV