' a primitive root; to melt; figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish; consume away, be corrupt, dissolve, pine away.
Transliteration:mâqaq
Pronunciation:maw-kak'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb `{{H4743}}` (מָקַק, *mâqaq*) is a primitive root carrying the fundamental sense of "to melt" or "to dissolve." From this concrete physical action, its semantic range expands significantly to encompass various forms of deterioration, decay, and diminishment. Figuratively, it describes a process of wasting away, dwindling, or vanishing. This can manifest as physical decay, such as the festering of a wound or the consumption of flesh by disease. Beyond the physical, `{{H4743}}` is powerfully employed to denote spiritual or moral corruption, the erosion of strength, or the "pining away" of individuals or nations due to iniquity and divine judgment. The core idea is a loss of substance, integrity, or vitality, leading to ultimate dissolution or ruin.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of `{{H4743}}` in the Hebrew Bible consistently underscore its meaning of decay and dissolution, often in contexts of divine judgment or the consequences of sin.
In [[Leviticus 26:39]], the term is used to describe the fate of the Israelites if they persist in disobedience: "And those of you who are left shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; also in the iniquities of their fathers they shall pine away with them." Here, "pine away" (וְנִמַּקּוּ, *wənimmaqqû*) conveys a slow, agonizing consumption due to the burden of sin, leading to a loss of national vitality and identity in exile.
[[Psalm 38:5]] employs `{{H4743}}` to depict the physical and emotional distress of the psalmist: "My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness." The verb (נָמַקּוּ, *nâmaqqû*) vividly portrays the decaying, putrefying nature of the wounds, symbolizing the internal spiritual and physical corruption brought on by sin.
Prophetic literature frequently utilizes `{{H4743}}` to describe the devastating effects of God's judgment. In [[Isaiah 34:4]], depicting an eschatological judgment upon the nations, it states: "All the host of heaven shall melt away, and the heavens shall roll up like a scroll." Here, "melt away" (וְנָמַקּוּ, *wənamâqqû*) suggests a complete dissolution of the cosmic order, emphasizing the absolute power of God to unmake creation.
[[Zechariah 14:12]] provides a particularly graphic illustration of divine plague: "And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the peoples who have fought against Jerusalem: their flesh shall consume away while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall consume away in their sockets, and their tongues shall consume away in their mouths." The repeated use of "consume away" (תִּמַּק, *timmaq*) highlights the rapid and horrific decay inflicted directly by divine hand.
These passages collectively demonstrate that `{{H4743}}` is not merely descriptive of physical decay but is deeply intertwined with moral failure, divine retribution, and the ultimate fragility of all things apart from God's sustaining power.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H4743}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms that describe various forms of decay, corruption, or destruction.
* `{{H7532}}` (רָקַב, *râqab*): "to rot," often referring to the decay of bones or wood, emphasizing internal putrefaction. While *mâqaq* can imply a more general wasting, *râqab* is specifically about rotting.
* `{{H5352}}` (נָמַל, *nâmal*): "to wither," typically used for plants, implying a loss of life and vitality leading to dryness and decay. *Mâqaq* can describe a similar process but often with a more active, even aggressive, sense of consumption.
* `{{H622}}` (אָבַד, *'âbad*): "to perish," "to be lost," or "to destroy." This is a broader term for utter ruin or cessation of existence, whereas *mâqaq* describes the *process* of perishing through decay.
* `{{H2040}}` (הָרַס, *hâras*): "to tear down," "to destroy," often referring to structures or systems. While *mâqaq* describes an internal dissolution, *hâras* is an external act of demolition.
Conceptually, `{{H4743}}` is related to the consequences of sin, the fragility of human existence, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the contrast between the transient nature of creation and the eternal steadfastness of God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4743}}` lies primarily in its portrayal of the destructive power of sin and the just consequences of divine judgment. When individuals or nations "pine away" (`{{H4743}}`), it is often a direct result of their iniquity, illustrating the inherent self-destructive nature of rebellion against God. Sin is not merely a transgression but a corrosive force that eats away at life, health, and societal fabric, leading to a state of spiritual and physical dissolution.
Furthermore, the use of `{{H4743}}` in contexts of divine judgment (e.g., [[Zechariah 14:12]], [[Isaiah 34:4]]) underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His capacity to bring about utter decay and dissolution upon those who oppose Him. This serves as a stark reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of His wrath. The "melting away" of the heavens in Isaiah points to an eschatological truth: even the seemingly immutable elements of creation are subject to God's power and can be dissolved at His command, highlighting the temporary nature of all created things in comparison to the eternal Creator.
In a broader sense, `{{H4743}}` contrasts sharply with the life-giving, sustaining power of God. While sin leads to decay and death, God offers life, healing, and preservation. The word thus indirectly emphasizes the preciousness of life lived in covenant with God, which stands in stark contrast to the decay described by *mâqaq*.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb `{{H4743}}` (*mâqaq*) fundamentally means "to melt" but extends powerfully to describe a process of decay, dissolution, and pining away. It is employed in the biblical text to depict both physical deterioration (e.g., festering wounds, consuming diseases) and, more profoundly, the spiritual and national decay resulting from sin and divine judgment. Occurrences in passages like [[Leviticus 26:39]], [[Psalm 38:5]], [[Isaiah 34:4]], and [[Zechariah 14:12]] illustrate its use in conveying the dire consequences of iniquity and the devastating impact of God's righteous wrath. Theologically, `{{H4743}}` serves as a potent reminder of the corrosive nature of sin, the certainty of divine retribution, and the ultimate transience of all creation in the face of God's eternal power. It underscores the fragility of life and systems apart from the sustaining hand of the Holy One.
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