a primitive root (perhaps rather the same as מָהַר through the idea of readiness in assent); to bargain (for a wife), i.e. to wed; endow, [idiom] surely.
Transliteration:mâhar
Pronunciation:maw-har'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H4117 (מָהַר, *mâhar*) is a primitive root primarily signifying the act of acquiring a wife through a formal agreement, specifically involving the payment of a bride-price. While the base definition hints at a possible etymological connection to the idea of "readiness in assent," its established semantic range in biblical usage is distinctly tied to marital customs. Its core meanings include "to bargain for a wife," "to wed," and "to endow" in the context of marriage. This "endowment" refers to the payment of the *mohar* (`{{H4119}}`), a sum of money or goods given by the prospective husband (or his family) to the bride's father or family as part of the marriage agreement. This payment served not as a purchase of the woman as property, but as compensation for the loss of her labor and offspring to her natal family, a demonstration of the groom's ability to provide, and a legal seal on the marital covenant. The suggested idiomatic meaning "surely" in the base definition is less evident in the verbal occurrences of H4117 related to marriage; its primary force is the establishment of a marital bond through a specific financial transaction.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of H4117 are limited but highly significant, appearing exclusively in legal contexts concerning marriage and sexual misconduct within the Pentateuch.
* **Exodus 22:16-17**: "If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he must surely pay a bride-price for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins." [[Exodus 22:16-17]] Here, H4117 (translated "pay a bride-price for her") underscores the legal obligation of a seducer to marry the woman he has dishonored. The repeated emphasis on "surely pay" (or "he shall pay money equal to the bride-price") highlights the mandatory nature of this compensation, which serves to rectify the wrong and provide for the woman's future. The verb is used transitively with the woman as the direct object, meaning "to take as wife by paying the bride-price."
* **Deuteronomy 22:28-29**: "If a man finds a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he has violated her; he may not divorce her all his days." [[Deuteronomy 22:28-29]] Similar to Exodus, this passage deals with the legal consequences of rape. The phrase "she shall be his wife because he has violated her" implies the forced marital union, and the fifty shekels of silver serve as the bride-price (`{{H4119}}`) or compensation. While the verb H4117 itself is not explicitly translated as "pay a bride-price" in this verse, the context of the required payment and subsequent marriage directly reflects the custom signified by H4117 and its related noun `{{H4119}}`. The man is compelled to "take as wife by means of the *mohar*."
In both instances, the verb H4117 is embedded in legal statutes designed to protect women and their families in ancient Israelite society. It underscores the transactional aspect of marriage, not as a purchase of a person, but as a formal agreement that secured the woman's status and provided economic security, especially in cases where her honor had been compromised.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H4117 is enriched by examining its relationship with other key terms and cultural practices:
* **`{{H4119}}` (מֹהַר - *mohar*):** This is the noun form directly derived from H4117, meaning "bride-price," "dowry," or "marriage present." It represents the actual payment or gift given by the groom to the bride's family. The verb H4117 describes the act of providing this `{{H4119}}`. The concept of `{{H4119}}` is crucial for understanding the economic and social underpinnings of marriage in ancient Israel.
* **Marriage Customs:** The practice of paying a bride-price was widespread in the ancient Near East. It served multiple functions: legitimizing the marriage, compensating the bride's family for the loss of her labor and lineage, demonstrating the groom's commitment and ability to provide, and securing the woman's position within her new family. It was distinct from purchasing a slave; rather, it was a fundamental component of establishing a covenantal relationship between two families.
* **Other Verbs of Taking a Wife:** While H4117 specifically denotes the acquisition of a wife via bride-price, other verbs are used more generally for marriage:
* `{{H3947}}` (לָקַח - *laqach*): "to take," very commonly used for taking a wife (e.g., [[Genesis 2:23]], [[Genesis 24:3]]). This verb signifies the act of taking, which could encompass the entire marriage process, including the H4117 transaction.
* `{{H376}}` (אִישׁ - *ish*): "man, husband" and `{{H802}}` (אִשָּׁה - *ishshah*): "woman, wife." These terms denote the parties involved in the marriage.
* `{{H3948}}` (לָקַח אִשָּׁה - *laqach ishshah*): "to take a wife," a common idiom for marriage.
### Theological Significance
The legal framework surrounding H4117 and the *mohar* (`{{H4119}}`) reflects several important theological principles within the Old Testament:
* **Justice and Protection of the Vulnerable:** The laws mandating the payment of a bride-price in cases of seduction or rape ([[Exodus 22:16-17]], [[Deuteronomy 22:28-29]]) highlight God's concern for justice and the protection of women, who were particularly vulnerable in ancient society. The *mohar* served as a form of restitution and ensured the woman's future security and status, preventing her from becoming an outcast. This demonstrates God's character as a righteous judge who upholds the rights of the wronged.
* **The Sanctity of Marriage and Family:** While the transaction of the *mohar* might seem purely economic, it underpinned the establishment of a legitimate and stable family unit. Marriage was viewed as a foundational institution within Israelite society, essential for the continuation of lineage and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The seriousness with which these marital agreements were treated, as evidenced by the legal requirements, underscores their importance in God's ordered creation.
* **Covenantal Relationship:** Marriage itself, in the biblical worldview, often serves as a metaphor for God's covenant relationship with Israel. Just as the *mohar* bound the man to the woman and her family in a formal agreement, so too God's covenant with His people is a binding, reciprocal commitment. The legal obligations associated with H4117 reflect the seriousness and binding nature of such covenants.
* **Value and Honor:** The bride-price, rather than devaluing the woman, actually affirmed her worth and the honor of her family. It was a public acknowledgment of the significance of the union and the new responsibilities undertaken by the groom. This contrasts sharply with modern Western notions of marriage, but within its cultural context, it was a mechanism for establishing respect and security.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H4117 (מָהַר, *mâhar*) is a specialized term in the Old Testament, primarily denoting the act of "acquiring a wife by paying a bride-price" or "to wed" in the context of this specific marital custom. Its limited but crucial occurrences in [[Exodus 22:16-17]] and [[Deuteronomy 22:28-29]] illuminate ancient Israelite legal and social structures surrounding marriage, particularly in cases of seduction or rape. The verb is intrinsically linked to its noun form, `{{H4119}}` (*mohar*), the "bride-price" itself, which served as a legal and social guarantee for the woman and her family. Theologically, H4117 underscores God's commitment to justice, the protection of the vulnerable, and the sanctity of the marital covenant within the community, highlighting the value and honor associated with the establishment of a legitimate family unit.
TRV