### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מַעֲרָצָה (maʻărâtsâh), transliterated as *maʻărâtsâh* (Strong's `{{H4637}}`), is derived from the root עָרַץ (ʻārats), meaning "to dread," "to fear," "to cause terror," or "to oppress." The base definition of *maʻărâtsâh* encompasses "violence" and "terror." This word encapsulates both the active sense of causing dread or oppression and the passive state of experiencing terror or being subjected to violence. As a noun, it describes either the quality of being terrifying or a place characterized by such terror. Its connection to the root `{{H6206}}` emphasizes a profound sense of awe, dread, or overwhelming fear, often associated with powerful, even destructive, forces.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *maʻărâtsâh* is a hapax legomenon, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[Job 30:6]]. The verse reads: "They dwell in the terrifying ravines, in holes of the earth and of the rocks" (ESV). Other translations render it as "terror of the wilderness" (KJV) or "terrifying wadis" (NASB).
In the context of Job 30, Job is lamenting his fallen state and contrasting it with the contempt shown to him by those who are themselves reduced to the most abject and desolate existence. These individuals, whom Job describes as utterly degraded, are forced to inhabit the most desolate and dreadful places. The word *maʻărâtsâh* here likely refers to the "terrifying ravines" or "horrors of the wadis" – places so desolate and dangerous that they inspire dread. It describes not just a physical location but a place imbued with an atmosphere of terror and desolation, reflective of the dire circumstances of those who dwell there. The Septuagint (LXX) translates this phrase in Job 30:6 with terms like "πέτρας" (rocks) or "κρημνοὺς" (cliffs), suggesting a physical landscape that evokes fear and desolation. This single occurrence powerfully conveys the extreme degradation and marginalization experienced by those who have been utterly cast out from society.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relationship of *maʻărâtsâh* is with its root verb, עָרַץ (ʻārats) `{{H6206}}`. This root is found throughout the Old Testament and carries various nuances of dread, fear, and oppression. For instance, it is used to describe the "dread" or "terror" that falls upon nations before Israel ([[Deuteronomy 2:25]], [[Deuteronomy 11:25]]) or the "terror" associated with the Lord Himself ([[Isaiah 2:19]]). The root can also imply "to be broken" or "to be crushed," further linking to the concept of violence or overwhelming force.
Other related Hebrew terms that convey similar concepts of fear, dread, or violence include:
* פַּחַד (pachad) `{{H6343}}`: "dread," "terror," as seen in [[Genesis 9:2]] or [[Psalm 91:5]].
* אֵימָה (eimah) `{{H367}}`: "terror," "dread," often associated with divine judgment or overwhelming power, as in [[Genesis 15:12]].
* חָמָס (hamas) `{{H2555}}`: "violence," "wrong," or "cruelty," frequently used to describe human wickedness, e.g., [[Genesis 6:11]].
*Maʻărâtsâh* stands out by specifically denoting the *effect* or *character* of terror/violence, particularly as it pertains to a desolate or dangerous environment.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, *maʻărâtsâh* in [[Job 30:6]] carries significant theological weight within the book of Job. It vividly portrays the depths of human suffering and degradation. The "terrifying ravines" are not merely physical locations but symbolic representations of utter desolation, vulnerability, and the absence of any form of protection or comfort.
Theologically, this word highlights:
1. **The Extremity of Suffering:** It underscores the profound misery and marginalization faced by those at the very bottom of society, forced into environments that are inherently terrifying and devoid of life-sustaining resources.
2. **Societal Rejection:** In Job's lament, the description of these outcasts dwelling in *maʻărâtsâh* speaks to the severe consequences of being rejected and cast out by the community, leading to a life of perpetual dread.
3. **The Nature of Desolation:** It paints a picture of a world where God's protective hand seems absent, and humanity is exposed to the harshest realities of existence, a stark contrast to the ordered and blessed creation often depicted elsewhere.
This word, therefore, serves as a powerful descriptor of the human experience of absolute deprivation and terror, a theme central to Job's struggle with the problem of suffering.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַעֲרָצָה (maʻărâtsâh) `{{H4637}}` signifies "violence" or "terror," deriving from the root `{{H6206}}` (ʻārats), meaning "to dread" or "to cause terror." Its sole appearance in [[Job 30:6]] describes the "terrifying ravines" or "horrors of the wadis" where the most marginalized individuals are forced to dwell. This unique usage powerfully conveys a place characterized by extreme desolation and dread, reflecting the dire circumstances of those utterly cast out. Theologically, *maʻărâtsâh* serves as a poignant term to illustrate the depths of human suffering, societal rejection, and the experience of absolute vulnerability in the face of overwhelming desolation.
TRV