### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H4615 (מַעֲמָק, *maʻămâq*) is derived from the verbal root עָמַק (ʻāmaq, `{{H6009}}`), which means "to be deep," "to be profound," or "to go deep." As a noun, maʻămâq signifies "a deep," "depth," or "the depths." Its core meaning relates to a profound physical dimension, often associated with water bodies like oceans, seas, or wells, indicating a place of significant vertical extension downwards.
Beyond its literal sense, maʻămâq extends metaphorically to denote concepts such as:
1. **Overwhelming Peril/Distress:** A situation of profound trouble or danger, akin to being submerged in deep, inescapable waters.
2. **Inscrutability/Profoundness:** The hidden, unfathomable, or unsearchable nature of thoughts, plans, or wisdom, whether human or divine.
3. **Hiddenness/Mystery:** That which is concealed or difficult to access or comprehend due to its profound nature.
The term often appears in the plural, מַעֲמַקִּים (*maʻămakkîm*), emphasizing the vastness or multiple aspects of "the depths."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term maʻămâq appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in poetic and wisdom literature, where its usage highlights both physical and metaphorical depths.
1. **Psalm 69:2**: "I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." Here, the plural מַעֲמַקִּים מַיִם (*maʻămakkîm mayim*, "deep waters") is a powerful metaphor for the psalmist's overwhelming distress and peril. It conveys a sense of being utterly submerged and drowning in trouble, with no solid ground or escape. The image evokes extreme vulnerability and a desperate cry for deliverance.
2. **Psalm 69:15**: "Let not the floodwaters engulf me, nor the deep swallow me up; let not the pit shut its mouth on me." In this verse, maʻămâq (here singular, but referring to the same concept as the plural in [[Psalm 69:2]]) continues the theme of overwhelming danger. "The deep" is personified as something that can "swallow up," suggesting a connection to death or the grave (the "pit"), emphasizing the existential threat faced by the psalmist.
3. **Proverbs 25:3**: "As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable." In this wisdom saying, maʻămakkîm ("depths") is used metaphorically to describe the profound and often inscrutable nature of a king's thoughts, motives, or plans. Just as the physical depths of the earth are difficult to plumb, so too are the intentions of a powerful ruler. This highlights the hidden, complex, and often unpredictable aspects of human wisdom and authority.
4. **Isaiah 51:10**: "Is it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over?" Here, maʻămakkê ("depths") refers to the literal depths of the Red Sea. The verse recalls the Exodus event, emphasizing God's miraculous power over the forces of nature. The "depths of the sea" were transformed into a path for salvation, underscoring God's ability to control and manipulate even the most formidable elements for the deliverance of His people.
Across these occurrences, maʻămâq consistently points to something profound, whether physically immense, existentially threatening, or intellectually unfathomable.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of maʻămâq is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
1. **Root Verb עָמַק (ʻāmaq, `{{H6009}}`):** This is the direct verbal root from which maʻămâq is derived. It signifies "to be deep," "to make deep," or "to go deep." Its usage often describes the profundity of God's thoughts ([[Psalm 92:5]]), the depth of human counsel ([[Isaiah 29:15]]), or the act of digging deep ([[Isaiah 7:11]]).
2. **תְּהוֹם (təhôm, `{{H8415}}`):** Meaning "deep," "abyss," or "primordial ocean." Təhôm is often used in a cosmic sense, referring to the deep waters of creation ([[Genesis 1:2]]) or the great deep that burst forth during the flood ([[Genesis 7:11]]). While maʻămâq can refer to physical depths, təhôm often carries a stronger connotation of primeval chaos or the vast, unformed waters. However, they are conceptually linked, as seen in [[Isaiah 51:10]] where maʻămakkê refers to the depths of the "great deep" (təhôm rabbah).
3. **מְצוּלָה (mᵉtsûlâh, `{{H4688}}`):** Also meaning "depth" or "deep," particularly of the sea or a pit. This term is often synonymous with maʻămâq in describing deep waters or abyssal places, such as the depths of the sea where Jonah was ([[Jonah 2:3]]).
4. **Concepts of Chaos and Order:** The "deep" often represents the forces of chaos or unformed creation, over which God asserts His divine order and control. God's mastery over the maʻămâq and təhôm signifies His ultimate sovereignty.
5. **Human Vulnerability and Divine Deliverance:** The imagery of sinking into the maʻămâq powerfully conveys human helplessness in the face of overwhelming adversity. This contrasts sharply with God's power to deliver from such depths, as exemplified by the parting of the Red Sea.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of maʻămâq is multifaceted, touching upon divine attributes, the human condition, and the nature of salvation.
1. **Divine Sovereignty and Power:** The most prominent theological implication is God's absolute control over the "deep." In [[Isaiah 51:10]], the drying up of the maʻămakkê of the sea for Israel's passage is a profound demonstration of Yahweh's power over the natural world, including the chaotic elements. This act of mastery over the deep is a testament to His omnipotence and His ability to create a way where there is none, ensuring the salvation of His people.
2. **The Human Experience of Distress and Dependence:** The psalmist's cry from the maʻămakkîm in [[Psalm 69:2]] and [[Psalm 69:15]] vividly portrays the depth of human suffering and despair. The "deep waters" symbolize overwhelming trials, spiritual anguish, or the very brink of death. This imagery highlights humanity's inherent vulnerability and utter dependence on God for rescue and deliverance from circumstances beyond human control. It underscores the biblical theme that true help comes from the Lord, who hears and saves from the deepest pits.
3. **The Inscrutability of Wisdom and Plans:** Maʻămâq in [[Proverbs 25:3]] points to the hidden and profound nature of wisdom and intentions. While applied to kings, this concept extends to the divine. God's wisdom and plans are often described as "deep" and unsearchable ([[Romans 11:33]]), far beyond human comprehension. This encourages humility and trust in God's sovereign, though often mysterious, ways.
4. **Salvation and Redemption:** The transformation of the threatening maʻămakkê into a path of deliverance in [[Isaiah 51:10]] is a powerful theological motif of salvation. God's ability to conquer the deep symbolizes His power to overcome all obstacles, including sin and death, to bring His people to safety. This serves as a foundational promise of redemption, assuring believers that no depth of trouble is too great for God to overcome.
### Summary
H4615 (מַעֲמָק, *maʻămâq*) denotes "deep" or "depth," stemming from the root עָמָק (`{{H6009}}`). It is used both literally for physical depths (e.g., of the sea or earth) and metaphorically for overwhelming distress, profound mystery, or inscrutable wisdom. Key biblical occurrences include the psalmist's cries from "deep waters" symbolizing extreme peril ([[Psalm 69:2]], [[Psalm 69:15]]), the "depths" of a king's unsearchable heart in Proverbs ([[Proverbs 25:3]]), and the "depths" of the Red Sea miraculously parted by God in Isaiah ([[Isaiah 51:10]]). Theologically, maʻămâq underscores God's supreme sovereignty over creation and chaos, the profound vulnerability of the human condition, and the often unsearchable nature of wisdom, both human and divine. Ultimately, it serves as a powerful testament to God's redemptive power, as He is the one who delivers His people even from the most overwhelming and formidable depths.
TRV