English · KJV
H4134

מוּךְ

mûwk /mook/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto become thin, i.e. (figuratively) be impoverished
KJV usagebe (waxen) poor(-er).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mûwk — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mûwk, represented by H4134, is a primitive root used to describe the process of becoming thin or, figuratively, being impoverished. It appears 5 times in 5 unique verses, where it specifically denotes the state of being or becoming poor. The term is central to laws concerning economic hardship and social responsibility within ancient Israel.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

All occurrences of H4134 are found within the book of Leviticus, establishing a legal framework for addressing poverty. It describes the condition of a "brother" who has "waxen poor" Leviticus 25:35, a state which may lead to dire consequences such as selling one's possessions Leviticus 25:25 or even oneself into service (Leviticus 25:39, Leviticus 25:47). The term is also used to assess an individual's financial standing in relation to a religious vow, where being "poorer" than a standard estimation required the priest to value them according to their ability Leviticus 27:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller picture of the context surrounding impoverishment:

  • H251 ʼâch (a brother): This word appears alongside H4134 in nearly every instance, highlighting that these laws primarily concern the responsibility of Israelites toward their kinsmen who have become poor Leviticus 25:35.
  • H4131 môwṭ (to waver; be fallen in decay): This term is used to describe the physical or economic instability that accompanies being "waxen poor," indicating a state of collapse or decay Leviticus 25:35.
  • H4376 mâkar (to sell): This word denotes the desperate measure an impoverished person might take, such as when a brother who has become poor "hath sold away some of his possession" Leviticus 25:25.
  • H2388 châzaq (to strengthen, help, relieve): This is the prescribed response to a brother who has become poor. The law commands one to "relieve" him, showing a clear mandate for support and aid Leviticus 25:35.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H4134 is rooted in the covenant laws of Israel.

  • Communal Responsibility: The constant pairing of becoming poor with one's "brother" H251 establishes a divine expectation for mutual support within the community. The command to "relieve" the poor is not a suggestion but a legal and moral obligation Leviticus 25:35.
  • Economic Justice: The laws triggered by a person becoming H4134 poor are designed to prevent permanent destitution. Provisions for redeeming land Leviticus 25:25 and prohibitions against treating an impoverished brother like a bondservant Leviticus 25:39 reflect a divine framework for justice and restoration.
  • Compassionate Valuation: In the context of religious vows, being H4134 "poorer" is met with compassion. The priest is to adjust the valuation "according to his ability," demonstrating that God's law accounts for human vulnerability and financial hardship Leviticus 27:8.

Summary

In summary, H4134 is a highly specific term for impoverishment found exclusively in the legal codes of Leviticus. It signifies more than a simple lack of wealth; it describes a state of vulnerability that could lead to the loss of property and personal freedom. The use of mûwk forms the basis for a theology of care, establishing laws of redemption and communal responsibility designed to protect the most vulnerable members of the covenant community.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יָמוּךְ
  • מָךְ
  • מָךְ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H251 אָח a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance ( H4131 מוֹט a primitive root; to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall; be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay H4376 מָכַר a primitive root; to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrend H2388 חָזַק a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, he

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

5 verses, all in Leviticus — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.