for מַר feminine; bitter; Mara, a symbolic name of Naomi; Mara.
Transliteration:Mârâʼ
Pronunciation:maw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma מָרָא (Mârâʼ, `{{H4755}}`) is presented as a feminine form derived from מַר (mar, `{{H4751}}`), which signifies "bitter." Its core meaning therefore revolves around the concept of bitterness, sorrow, or deep grief. As a proper noun, it functions as a symbolic name, explicitly adopted by Naomi in the Book of Ruth to articulate her profound state of affliction. The semantic range is tightly circumscribed by this singular, poignant usage, representing an individual's experience of intense suffering and perceived divine chastisement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primary and most significant occurrence of מָרָא (Mârâʼ, `{{H4755}}`) is found in the Book of Ruth. Upon her return to Bethlehem after a decade of profound loss—the death of her husband Elimelech and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, in Moab—Naomi is greeted by the women of her hometown. In a moment of raw lament, she instructs them: "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." [[Ruth 1:20]]. She reiterates this sentiment, stating, "I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?" [[Ruth 1:21]]. This declaration is critical for understanding the word. Naomi's self-renaming from "Naomi" (meaning "pleasantness" or "my delight," `{{H5281}}`) to "Mara" (bitter) profoundly communicates her shattered state. Her life, once full, is now perceived as utterly empty and marked by divine affliction. The context is one of deep personal tragedy and a theological wrestling with God's perceived hand in her suffering.
### Related Words & Concepts
The lemma מָרָא (Mârâʼ, `{{H4755}}`) is intrinsically linked to the broader semantic field of "bitterness" in Hebrew.
* **מַר (mar, `{{H4751}}`):** The root adjective meaning "bitter," used literally for taste (e.g., "bitter herbs" in [[Exodus 12:8]]) and metaphorically for sorrow or distress (e.g., "bitter cry" in [[Isaiah 22:4]]).
* **מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`):** The verb "to be bitter," "to be grieved," or "to make bitter." This verb form emphasizes the active experience or imposition of bitterness.
* **מְרִירוּת (merirut, `{{H4752}}`):** A noun meaning "bitterness" or "grief," often referring to a state of deep anguish.
* **נָעֳמִי (Noʻomi, `{{H5281}}`):** Naomi, meaning "pleasantness" or "my delight." This is the direct antonym to "Mara," creating a powerful literary and theological contrast that underscores the depth of Naomi's suffering and the transformative power of her experience.
Concepts related to מָרָא include suffering, lament, grief, affliction, divine sovereignty, and the human response to tragedy.
### Theological Significance
The adoption of the name מָרָא (Mârâʼ, `{{H4755}}`) by Naomi carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Sovereignty in Suffering:** Naomi explicitly attributes her plight to the Almighty (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai) and the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH). This demonstrates a deep-seated conviction in God's ultimate control over human circumstances, even calamitous ones. Her bitterness is not a denial of God's existence, but an honest, albeit painful, acknowledgement of His perceived hand in her affliction. This resonates with the wisdom literature's wrestling with divine justice and human suffering.
2. **The Legitimacy of Lament:** Naomi's self-renaming is an act of raw, public lament. It models an authentic expression of grief and despair before God and community, echoing the Psalms of lament where petitioners pour out their hearts in anguish to God. It underscores that spiritual maturity does not require feigned cheerfulness in the face of tragedy, but rather an honest articulation of pain.
3. **Identity Transformed by Experience:** The contrast between "Naomi" (pleasantness) and "Mara" (bitterness) highlights how life's trials can fundamentally reshape one's self-perception and identity. Her name becomes a living testimony to her altered state, a stark reminder of what was lost.
4. **A Starting Point, Not an End:** While מָרָא represents a nadir of despair, the Book of Ruth does not end there. Naomi's bitterness, though real, is ultimately overcome by God's redemptive work through Ruth's loyalty and Boaz's kinsman-redeemer actions. Her story moves from emptiness to fullness, from bitterness to blessing, demonstrating God's faithfulness even in the midst of profound human suffering.
### Summary
מָרָא (Mârâʼ, `{{H4755}}`) is a deeply evocative and symbolic name, meaning "bitter," adopted by Naomi in [[Ruth 1:20]] to express her profound grief and sense of divine affliction. Derived from the root מַר (mar, `{{H4751}}`), it encapsulates the emotional and existential state of one who has experienced overwhelming loss. The term highlights the biblical themes of divine sovereignty over suffering, the legitimacy of honest lament, and the transformative impact of adversity on identity. While signifying a moment of intense despair, the name "Mara" ultimately serves as a poignant marker within a larger narrative of divine redemption, where initial bitterness is ultimately transcended by God's faithfulness and the restoration of joy.
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