from מוּת; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin; (be) dead(-ly), death, die(-d).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word mâveth (`{{H4194}}`) is a noun derived from the verb mûth (`{{H4191}}`), meaning "to die" or "to kill." Its core meaning denotes the cessation of life, encompassing both natural and violent forms of death. Beyond this literal sense, mâveth possesses a rich semantic range:
1. **Physical Death:** The most common usage, referring to the end of biological existence for humans and animals.
2. **Concrete Reference:** It can refer concretely to "the dead" (e.g., a collection of deceased individuals) or their state/place (e.g., implicitly Sheol/Hades, the realm of the dead).
3. **Figurative Meanings:**
* **Pestilence/Plague:** Often used to denote a deadly disease or epidemic, a cause of widespread death.
* **Ruin/Destruction:** Metaphorically, it can describe a state of utter desolation, destruction, or impending doom for individuals, nations, or systems.
4. **Adjectival/Adverbial Nuances:** Through various grammatical constructions, it can convey the idea of being "deadly" or the act of "dying."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Mâveth appears extensively throughout the Old Testament, illuminating its multifaceted significance.
* **The Introduction of Death:** Its first significant appearance is in the divine warning to Adam in [[Genesis 2:17]]: "for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die" (מות תמות - *môt tāmût*), a powerful cognate accusative emphasizing the certainty of death as a consequence of disobedience. This foundational text establishes death as an intruder, not part of God's original creation, but a result of sin.
* **Physical Mortality:** It frequently describes the natural end of life, as seen in the genealogies of Genesis (e.g., [[Genesis 5:5]]: "and then he died"). It also denotes violent death, such as execution ([[Exodus 21:12]]) or death in battle ([[1 Samuel 17:51]]).
* **Divine Judgment:** Mâveth is a recurring element in prophetic pronouncements of judgment, often appearing alongside "sword" and "famine" as instruments of divine wrath against sin (e.g., [[Jeremiah 14:12]]: "I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence [מָוֶת]"). Here, mâveth signifies pestilence, a direct cause of death.
* **The Realm of the Dead:** While mâveth itself is "death," it often implies the descent into Sheol (`{{H7585}}`), the common grave or underworld (e.g., [[Psalm 6:5]]: "For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?").
* **Personification:** Occasionally, mâveth is personified as a powerful, almost sentient entity or adversary (e.g., [[Job 28:22]]: "Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.'"). This personification underscores its formidable and pervasive nature.
* **Figurative Ruin:** In some contexts, mâveth can denote a state of utter destruction or ruin, especially concerning nations or individuals facing complete desolation (e.g., [[Jeremiah 18:21]], where pestilence leads to ruin).
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of mâveth is enriched by its relationship to other key biblical terms:
* **Mûth (`{{H4191}}`):** The verbal root "to die" or "to kill." Mâveth is the nominal form, representing the state, event, or consequence of the action. The two are intrinsically linked.
* **Shĕ'ôl (`{{H7585}}`):** Sheol, the underworld or realm of the dead. While mâveth is the state of being dead, Sheol is the place where the dead reside. The two concepts are deeply intertwined in the Old Testament understanding of the afterlife.
* **Tsalmâveth (`{{H6662}}`):** "Shadow of death." This compound word intensifies the concept of mâveth, conveying deep darkness, gloom, and extreme peril, often used metaphorically for a place of great danger or distress (e.g., [[Psalm 23:4]]).
* **Chayyim (`{{H2416}}`):** "Life." This is the direct antithesis of mâveth. The Bible frequently presents a stark dichotomy between life and death, often linking life to obedience to God's covenant and death to disobedience (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 30:19]]: "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life").
* **Chaṭṭāʾt (`{{H2403}}`):** "Sin." Theologically, sin is presented as the ultimate cause of mâveth. The wages of sin is death, a concept firmly established in the Old Testament narrative and later expounded in the New Testament (e.g., [[Romans 6:23]]).
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of mâveth are profound and foundational to biblical theology:
* **The Consequence of Sin:** Mâveth is not an inherent part of God's original, good creation. It entered the world as a direct result of humanity's sin and rebellion against God's command ([[Genesis 2:17]], [[Romans 5:12]]). It serves as a tangible manifestation of the broken relationship between God and humanity.
* **Divine Justice and Judgment:** Death is a just consequence for sin, demonstrating God's holiness and righteousness. It underscores that rebellion against the Creator carries severe and ultimate penalties.
* **An Enemy to Be Conquered:** The Scriptures often portray mâveth as a powerful, destructive enemy that holds humanity in bondage. This portrayal highlights the need for a divine deliverer who can overcome this ultimate adversary. The Old Testament contains anticipations of a future time when mâveth will be swallowed up and utterly defeated (e.g., [[Isaiah 25:8]]).
* **Human Frailty and Dependence:** The inevitability of mâveth for all humanity underscores human weakness, transience, and the ultimate inability to escape mortality through one's own power. It points to the necessity of divine intervention for true and lasting life.
* **Hope Beyond the Grave:** Despite the grim reality of mâveth, the Old Testament also offers glimpses of hope beyond physical death. This includes the concept of resurrection for the righteous ([[Daniel 12:2]]) and the ultimate triumph of God over death, anticipating the New Testament's revelation of Christ's victory over the grave.
### Summary
Mâveth (`{{H4194}}`) is the foundational Hebrew term for "death," encompassing both the physical cessation of life and broader concepts of ruin and the realm of the departed. Its introduction in Genesis establishes it as the direct and devastating consequence of human sin, a reality that profoundly shapes the biblical narrative. Throughout the Old Testament, mâveth serves as a stark reminder of divine judgment, human frailty, and the pervasive nature of an enemy that holds humanity captive. Yet, even amidst its grim reality, the Scriptures hold out the promise of a future where mâveth will ultimately be vanquished by God, setting the stage for the New Testament's ultimate revelation of life and immortality through the Messiah.
TRV