Word Study for H4178 (מוֹרָט)

môwrâṭ /mo-rawt'/ Ask about this word

Meaningobstinate, i.e. independent

KJV usagepeeled.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of môwrâṭ — 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 môwrâṭ, represented by H4178, is derived from the root יָרַט and is defined as peeled, with related meanings of obstinate or independent. It appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible. While its base definition relates to being stripped, its application in scripture extends to describe objects that are polished to a shine, such as a weapon or metalwork.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H4178 carries a dual sense of being stripped down or polished to a shine. In the prophecies of Isaiah, it describes a "nation scattered and peeled" Isaiah 18:2, a people whose land the rivers have "spoiled" Isaiah 18:7. Conversely, in Ezekiel, the same word describes a sword that is furbished to make it glitter, prepared for slaughter Ezekiel 21:10. This sense of being polished is also seen in 1 Kings, where the vessels made for the house of the LORD are described as being made of bright brass 1 Kings 7:45.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H4178:

H4803 mâraṭ: As a primitive root meaning "to polish... furbish, peeled," this verb is the source of H4178. Its usage ranges from a shoulder being "peeled" from hard labor Ezekiel 29:18 to plucking off hair as a sign of grief Ezra 9:3 and furbishing a sword for battle Ezekiel 21:9.
H2300 châdad: Meaning "to sharpen," this word is paired directly with H4178 in Ezekiel's prophecy of the sword that is "sharpened, and it is furbished" Ezekiel 21:11.
H1300 bârâq: This term for "lightning" or "a gleam" describes the outcome of the action of H4178. The sword in Ezekiel is furbished so that it may "glitter" Ezekiel 21:10.
H4900 mâshak: Translated as "scattered," this word describes the state of the nation that is also called "peeled" H4178, providing a broader context for their condition Isaiah 18:2.
H5178 nᵉchôsheth: Meaning "brass" or "copper," this word is used to identify the material of the "bright" H4178 vessels in the temple 1 Kings 7:45.

Theological Significance

The varied applications of H4178 carry significant weight, illustrating themes of divine purpose, judgment, and holiness.

Polished for Judgment: In Ezekiel, a "furbished" sword represents judgment that is deliberate and prepared. The sword is sharpened H2300 and polished H4178 to be given "into the hand of the slayer," signifying a divine sentence that is both severe and ready to be executed Ezekiel 21:11.
Sanctity in Service: When used for the temple vessels, the word highlights the concept of sanctification. The "bright brass" 1 Kings 7:45 suggests that items dedicated to the LORD are to be perfected and shining, reflecting the holiness of their use in His house.
A People Made Ready: The description of a nation as "peeled" in Isaiah presents a dual image. It depicts a people who have been stripped and whose land is "spoiled" Isaiah 18:2. However, these same people are ultimately brought as a "present unto the LORD" Isaiah 18:7, suggesting that the process of being "peeled" may also be a form of refinement that prepares them for a divine purpose.

Summary

In summary, H4178 môwrâṭ is a multifaceted term that moves beyond a simple definition of "peeled." It encompasses the ideas of being furbished, polished, and bright. Whether describing a nation stripped of its power, a sword prepared for judgment, or sacred vessels shining in the temple, the word consistently points to a state of being acted upon for a specific end. It illustrates how a single term can convey the harshness of being laid bare and the brilliance of being perfected for a divine purpose.

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 2 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.

מוֹרָט
מֹרָטָּה

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

Appears in 5 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Isaiah and Ezekiel (2 verses each); never once in the other 36.

1 Kings

Isaiah

Ezekiel

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.