from מָקַק; properly, a melting, i.e. putridity; rottenness, stink.
Transliteration:maq
Pronunciation:mak
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H4716 (מַק, *maq*) is derived from the verbal root H4743 (מָקַק, *māqaq*), which means "to melt," "to decay," "to rot," or "to dissolve." Consequently, maq fundamentally describes a state of advanced decomposition or deterioration. Its semantic range encompasses:
* **Rottenness:** A physical condition of organic matter undergoing putrefaction.
* **Putridity:** The state of being foul and decaying, often implying a wet or slimy disintegration.
* **Stink/Foul Odor:** The offensive smell that emanates from decaying substances, an inherent characteristic of putridity.
The etymological link to "melting" suggests a process of breaking down, losing form, and becoming utterly corrupted, implying a complete and irreversible disintegration rather than mere damage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4716 (מַק, *maq*) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both within the prophetic book of Isaiah, and both occurrences are situated in contexts of divine judgment and the consequences of sin.
* **[[Isaiah 3:24]]:** "And instead of sweet smell there will be rottenness [מַק], and instead of belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and brand instead of beauty."
* Here, *maq* is used to describe the physical and social degradation that will befall the proud women of Jerusalem. It stands in stark contrast to "sweet smell" (בֹּשֶׂם, *bōśem*), emphasizing a reversal of their former luxurious and fragrant state into one of repulsive putridity. This verse powerfully illustrates the stripping away of outward beauty and status, revealing an underlying corruption and the severity of God's judgment against their arrogance and worldliness. The literal decay serves as a visible sign of spiritual decay.
* **[[Isaiah 5:24]]:** "Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be rottenness [מַק], and their blossom go up like dust; because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel."
* In this passage, *maq* is employed metaphorically to describe the spiritual and moral decay of the nation of Israel. The phrase "their root will be rottenness" signifies a fundamental, internal corruption that leads to complete destruction. Just as a diseased root causes a plant to wither and die, the nation's rejection of God's law and despising His word results in an inevitable and total downfall. The imagery of the root rotting and the blossom turning to dust vividly conveys the complete and irreversible nature of their ruin due to their spiritual unfaithfulness.
In both instances, *maq* is a potent and vivid descriptor of the severe and often repulsive consequences that arise from sin and rebellion against the divine will, manifesting as both physical degradation and spiritual ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **H4743 (מָקַק, *māqaq*):** The verbal root of *maq*, meaning "to rot," "to decay," "to melt away." This root emphasizes the active process of deterioration and is used in contexts of festering wounds ([[Psalm 38:5]]) or flesh decaying ([[Zechariah 14:12]]). The noun *maq* represents the *result* or *state* of this process.
* **H7553 (רָקָב, *raqab*):** Also translated as "rottenness" or "decay," often referring to the decay of wood or bones (e.g., [[Proverbs 12:4]], [[Proverbs 14:30]], [[Habakkuk 3:16]]). While similar in meaning, *raqab* often implies a dry rot, whereas *maq* (from *māqaq*) carries a stronger connotation of a wet, melting, or putrid decay, often associated with a foul odor.
* **H887 (בָּאשׁ, *ba'ash*):** "To stink," "to be offensive." This verb and its derivatives describe the foul odor associated with decay and putrefaction (e.g., [[Exodus 7:18]] regarding the Nile, [[Exodus 16:20]] regarding the manna). The definition of *maq* explicitly includes "stink," thereby linking it closely to this concept of offensive odor.
* **Moral Corruption:** Beyond its literal application to physical decay, *maq* strongly evokes the concept of internal moral and spiritual corruption. Prophetic literature frequently employs imagery of disease, defilement, and decay to describe the state of a people or individual separated from God (e.g., the "deceitful and desperately sick" heart in [[Jeremiah 17:9]]).
### Theological Significance
* **Consequence of Sin and Rebellion:** The most profound theological implication of *maq* is its clear portrayal as an inevitable and severe consequence of sin and rebellion against God. In Isaiah, it serves as a stark warning: turning away from God's law and despising His word leads not merely to punishment, but to a fundamental disintegration of life, both on an individual and national scale.
* **Divine Judgment:** *Maq* functions as a vivid manifestation of divine judgment. God allows or brings about this state of decay as a just response to human pride, unfaithfulness, and disobedience. It signifies the removal of divine blessing, protection, and order, leading to vulnerability, corruption, and eventual ruin.
* **Reversal of Blessing:** The sharp contrast in [[Isaiah 3:24]] between "sweet smell" and "rottenness" highlights a critical theological principle: God's blessings—including beauty, prosperity, and pleasantness—are contingent upon faithfulness. When faithfulness is abandoned, these blessings are reversed into curses, transforming what was once desirable into something repulsive and corrupt.
* **Internal Decay and Depravity:** Especially in [[Isaiah 5:24]], the "root" becoming *maq* emphasizes that sin is not merely an external act but a deep-seated, internal, and foundational corruption. This points to the pervasive nature of human depravity and the radical need for spiritual transformation. The decay originates from within, leading to outward manifestations of ruin and destruction.
* **Holiness and Purity of God:** The presence of *maq* underscores God's absolute holiness and purity. Decay, putrefaction, and corruption are antithetical to the divine nature of life and order. Where God's presence, law, and covenant are rejected, the natural outcome is a descent into a state of spiritual and physical decomposition, reflecting the inherent opposition between sin and God's character.
### Summary
H4716 (מַק, *maq*) is a powerful Hebrew term signifying "rottenness," "putridity," and "stink," directly derived from the root H4743 (מָקַק, "to melt, decay"). Its rare but impactful appearances in Isaiah reveal it as a vivid descriptor of the dire consequences of sin. In [[Isaiah 3:24]], it illustrates the physical degradation and loss of beauty due to divine judgment on the proud. In [[Isaiah 5:24]], it metaphorically depicts the fundamental, internal spiritual decay of a nation that has rejected God's law, leading to inevitable destruction. Theologically, *maq* serves as a potent symbol of divine judgment, demonstrating how sin leads to the reversal of blessings and a profound, internal disintegration. It underscores the destructive nature of rebellion against the Divine and the inherent opposition between human unfaithfulness and God's absolute holiness.
TRV