from מָרַר; a bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) calamity; bitterness.
Transliteration:mamrôr
Pronunciation:mam-rore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַמְרֹר (mamrôr, `{{H4472}}`) is derived from the root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`), which fundamentally means "to be bitter," "to be strong," or "to be grievous." Mamrôr specifically denotes a "bitterness" in a literal sense, but more poignantly, it extends to a figurative meaning of "calamity" or "grievous affliction." This semantic range highlights that the experience of intense suffering or disaster is akin to a profound, overwhelming bitterness that permeates one's very being. It is not merely an unpleasant taste, but a deeply felt, consuming sorrow or distress, indicating an experience that is both severe and pervasive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַמְרֹר (mamrôr, `{{H4472}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly potent and significant. This singular instance is found in the book of Job:
* [[Job 9:18]]: "He will not let me get my breath, but fills me with bitterness." (יְמָרְרֵנִי בַמַּמְרֹרִים)
In this verse, Job is lamenting his desperate situation and the relentless nature of his suffering, which he perceives as coming directly from God. The phrase "fills me with bitterness" (יְמָרְרֵנִי בַמַּמְרֹרִים) uses the plural form of mamrôr (mamrorim), intensifying the sense of overwhelming and pervasive affliction. The verb "יְמָרְרֵנִי" (y'mar'rēni) is a Piel form of the root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`), meaning "He makes me bitter" or "He embitters me." Thus, Job is expressing that God is actively filling him with these bitter calamities, not allowing him even a moment of respite. The context is one of profound despair, where Job feels unjustly persecuted and utterly overwhelmed by his trials, which he describes as a flood of bitterness from the Almighty. This single occurrence underscores the extreme nature of Job's suffering and his perception of divine antagonism.
### Related Words & Concepts
The conceptual field surrounding מַמְרֹר (mamrôr, `{{H4472}}`) is rich with terms related to bitterness, sorrow, and affliction, all stemming from the same root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`):
* מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`): The verbal root meaning "to be bitter," "to be grieved," or "to show bitterness." It can describe literal taste (e.g., bitter herbs for Passover, [[Exodus 12:8]]) or figurative emotional states and experiences of hardship (e.g., [[Lamentations 3:15]], "He has filled me with bitterness").
* מַר (mar, `{{H4751}}`): An adjective meaning "bitter," "bitterly," or "unhappy." It is frequently used to describe the bitterness of water, the bitterness of death, or the bitterness of spirit due to grief or distress (e.g., [[Ruth 1:20]], Naomi's lament, "Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me").
* מְרֹרָה (merorāh, `{{H4845}}`): A noun meaning "bitterness," often referring to a bitter substance or a bitter thing (e.g., [[Job 13:26]], "You write bitter things against me").
* מָרָה (marah, `{{H4844}}`): A noun referring to "bitterness" or "rebellion," often associated with the place where the Israelites found bitter water ([[Exodus 15:23]]). This connection highlights how physical bitterness can symbolize spiritual distress or a turning away from God.
* Concepts of suffering (עֹנִי, oni, `{{H6040}}`), affliction (צָרָה, tsarah, `{{H6869}}`), grief (יָגוֹן, yagon, `{{H3015}}`), and calamity (רָעָה, ra'ah, `{{H7451}}`) are all closely related to the experience described by mamrôr, as they represent the various facets of the "bitterness" that overwhelms an individual.
### Theological Significance
The solitary appearance of מַמְרֹר (mamrôr, `{{H4472}}`) in [[Job 9:18]] carries profound theological weight. It encapsulates Job's perception of his suffering as a direct, overwhelming outpouring of divine bitterness. This word is not merely descriptive of his pain; it is accusatory, reflecting Job's struggle to reconcile his blamelessness with the severity of his affliction, which he attributes to God's active hand.
Theologically, mamrôr forces us to confront the raw, unvarnished reality of human suffering and the challenging questions it poses about divine justice and sovereignty. Job's use of this word articulates a deep theological crisis: if God is good and just, how can He "fill" His servant with such overwhelming, pervasive bitterness? This question lies at the heart of the book of Job and resonates with all who experience seemingly inexplicable suffering. The word highlights the *intensity* and *totality* of the suffering, portraying it as an all-consuming bitter draught. It speaks to the human experience of feeling utterly abandoned or even targeted by the divine, a theological tension that the biblical narrative does not shy away from but rather explores in depth. Ultimately, while Job's perception of God's direct "embittering" is part of his limited human understanding during his trial, the word powerfully conveys the depth of his anguish and the theological problem of suffering.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun מַמְרֹר (mamrôr, `{{H4472}}`), derived from the root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`), signifies a profound "bitterness" that extends figuratively to "calamity" or "grievous affliction." Its singular, impactful occurrence in [[Job 9:18]] reveals Job's desperate lament, where he perceives God as actively overwhelming him with an unbearable, pervasive bitterness, allowing him no respite. This rare but powerful word underscores the extreme nature of Job's suffering and his raw, accusatory questioning of divine justice. Mamrôr is deeply connected to other terms of bitterness and sorrow, enriching the biblical vocabulary for human anguish. Theologically, it compels reflection on the nature of suffering, divine sovereignty, and humanity's wrestling with the perceived actions of God during times of intense trial, encapsulating the deep theological crisis at the heart of Job's narrative.
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