The Hebrew word mâchâr, represented by H4279, is a word that points to a future time, typically tomorrow. It appears 52 times across 52 unique verses in the Bible. Its definition of "deferred" suggests a time that is not the present. It is used adverbially as tomorrow, but can also refer indefinitely to the hereafter or a time to come.
While H4279 fundamentally denotes the day after the present, its usage reveals a spectrum of temporal specificity. Often, it functions as a precise marker for an imminent event, sometimes further qualified by phrases such as "about this time," as seen in God's promise to send Saul to Samuel 1 Samuel 9:16 or Elisha's prophecy of economic relief 2 Kings 7:1. This precise usage underscores the immediate proximity of divine or human action. However, H4279 can also extend its semantic reach to a more indefinite "time to come," particularly in didactic contexts concerning the instruction of future generations, where the specific day is less important than the principle of continuity across time Deuteronomy 6:20. This duality highlights its flexibility, adapting from a literal next day to a broader, unspecified future period.
In the biblical narrative, H4279 is used in several key contexts. It is frequently employed by God to specify the timing of His divine intervention, whether for deliverance or judgment. For instance, the LORD promises to deliver Israel tomorrow Judges 20:28 and to do wonders among the people tomorrow Joshua 3:5. It is also used to set the time for plagues against Egypt, as in the warning, "to morrow will I bring the locusts" Exodus 10:4. The word is also used to instruct future generations, describing a time when children will ask about the meaning of past events, as seen in the phrase "when thy son asketh thee in time to come" Exodus 13:14.
Beyond divine declarations, H4279 frequently marks human intentions, plans, and even threats, underscoring the immediate future as a sphere of human agency and consequence. For instance, Queen Jezebel uses H4279 to issue a dire threat against Elijah, specifying her intent to take his life "by to morrow about this time" 1 Kings 19:2. Similarly, Ben-hadad, king of Syria, threatens to ransack Ahab's palace "to morrow about this time" 1 Kings 20:6. The word also features in strategic planning, such as David's arrangements with Jonathan concerning the new moon festival, where the timing of "to morrow" is crucial for their covert communication 1 Samuel 20:5, 1 Samuel 20:18. In more mundane contexts, it simply signifies the next day for travel, as when the Levite in Gibeah is encouraged to "to morrow get you early on your way" Judges 19:9, or for the continuation of a celebration, as Esther schedules her second banquet for "to morrow" Esther 5:12. These instances demonstrate H4279's pervasive role in framing both the momentous and the routine aspects of biblical life, often with a sense of urgency or impending consequence.
Several related words help define the concept of time relative to mâchâr.
- H4283 mochŏrâth (the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow): This feminine form is used interchangeably with H4279. In the account of David and Uriah, David tells him he can depart "to morrow" H4279, and the text records that Uriah stayed that day and "the morrow" H4283 2 Samuel 11:12.
- H3117 yôwm (a day): This word for "day" is often used in direct contrast to mâchâr to distinguish the present from the immediate future. This is seen in instructions like sanctifying the people "to day and to morrow" Exodus 19:10 and in the proverb that warns against boasting of "to morrow" because you do not know what a day may bring forth Proverbs 27:1.
- H4284 machăshâbâh (thought, device, purpose): This word, denoting human intention or design, often stands in implicit relation to H4279 as individuals plan or scheme for what the next day will bring. The future, particularly the immediate future of "tomorrow," is frequently the object of human deliberation and purpose, whether for good or ill.
The theological weight of H4279 centers on the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
- Divine Appointment: God frequently uses mâchâr to declare His appointed times for salvation or judgment, demonstrating His control over events. He specifies "to morrow about this time" for key events, such as sending Saul to be anointed 1 Samuel 9:16 or delivering a prophecy of economic relief to Samaria 2 Kings 7:1.
- A Call to Preparation: The promise of God's action tomorrow consistently requires an immediate response from His people. Before the LORD performs wonders, Joshua commands the people, "Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you" Joshua 3:5. This links future divine acts to present human holiness.
- Warning Against Presumption: The word is used to caution against human arrogance regarding the future. Proverbs warns directly, "Boast not thyself of to morrow" Proverbs 27:1, while also condemning the act of delaying charity by saying "to morrow I will give" when the means are available now Proverbs 3:28.
- Human Contingency and Urgency: While God's plans are certain, the immediacy of H4279 frequently highlights the contingent nature of human life and the call for urgent response. When Saul sought to kill David, Michal warned her husband, "If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain" 1 Samuel 19:11, demanding immediate action. Similarly, the people of Jabesh-gilead, under siege, agree to surrender "To morrow" 1 Samuel 11:10, a decision born of dire circumstances. These instances underscore that the arrival of "tomorrow" can bring critical turns, necessitating prompt human decision and action.
- Intergenerational Transmission of Faith: The indefinite usage of H4279 as "time to come" serves as a theological anchor for the continuity of covenant and instruction across generations. It anticipates a future when children will inquire about the significance of God's deeds and laws, prompting parents to recount divine history and reinforce covenant obligations. This is repeatedly emphasized in the context of the Passover Exodus 13:14 and the memorial stones at Jordan Joshua 4:6, ensuring that God's acts and commands are passed down, preventing future generations from losing their connection to the LORD Joshua 22:24. This usage transforms H4279 into a key term for the perpetuation of faith and identity.
The Hebrew word H4279 mâchâr serves as a multi-faceted temporal marker, primarily signifying "tomorrow" but extending its semantic range to an indefinite "time to come" or "hereafter." Appearing 52 times in the Old Testament, its usage spans a spectrum from precise, imminent timing—often qualified by phrases like "about this time" for divine appointments or human threats 1 Kings 19:2, 1 Samuel 9:16—to a more generalized future that emphasizes continuity and memory. This flexibility makes H4279 a crucial term for understanding both the immediate unfolding of events and the long-term trajectory of God's covenant with humanity.
The biblical narrative reveals H4279 in diverse contexts, from God's declarations of imminent plagues and wonders Exodus 10:4, Joshua 3:5 to human strategic planning, threats, and daily practicalities 1 Samuel 20:5, Judges 19:9. Its relationship to other temporal terms, such as H4283 mochŏrâth (the morrow) and H3117 yôwm (a day), highlights its specific focus on the subsequent day, often in contrast to the present. The conceptual link to H4284 machăshâbâh (thought, purpose) further illustrates how H4279 frequently frames the sphere of human intention and deliberation concerning what the future holds.
Theologically, H4279 illuminates the dynamic interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It underscores God's absolute control over time and events, as He declares specific times for salvation or judgment, demanding present holiness and obedience from His people Joshua 3:5. Concurrently, it serves as a potent warning against human presumption about the future, cautioning against boasting of "tomorrow" or delaying charity Proverbs 27:1, Proverbs 3:28. Furthermore, H4279 points to the contingent nature of human existence, necessitating urgent action and faith in the face of uncertainty 1 Samuel 19:11.
Finally, the usage of H4279 as "time to come" is central to the intergenerational transmission of faith. It anticipates a future where children will seek understanding of God's testimonies, compelling each generation to recount divine acts and perpetuate covenant identity. Thus, mâchâr is not merely a chronological marker; it is a profound theological concept that shapes understanding of divine action, human accountability, and the enduring legacy of faith across time.
TRV