the same as מַר feminine; bitter; Marah, a place in the Desert; Marah.
Transliteration:Mârâh
Pronunciation:maw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4785}}` (Mârâh) primarily functions as a proper noun, designating a specific geographical location in the wilderness journey of the Israelites. Its etymology, however, is deeply rooted in the concept of "bitterness." The base definition explicitly links it to `{{H4751}}` (mar), meaning "bitter." Thus, the name "Marah" itself signifies a place characterized by bitterness, specifically in the context of its water source. This core meaning extends semantically to encompass notions of difficulty, hardship, and the unpleasantness associated with a challenging experience.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole significant occurrence of `{{H4785}}` as a place name is found in the book of Exodus. Following their miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea, the Israelites journeyed into the wilderness of Shur for three days without finding water. When they finally arrived at Marah, the water they found was undrinkable due to its bitterness: "And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah" [[Exodus 15:23]]. This immediate transition from the exhilaration of salvation to the harsh reality of the desert wilderness presented a severe test of faith. The people's response was to complain against Moses, prompting Moses to cry out to the Lord. In a demonstration of divine provision, the Lord showed Moses a tree, which, when cast into the waters, miraculously made them sweet and potable [[Exodus 15:25]]. This event at Marah was not merely a physical trial but also a spiritual one, serving as a moment where God "made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he tested them" [[Exodus 15:25]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Marah is directly derived from or closely related to several key Hebrew terms conveying the idea of bitterness:
* `{{H4751}}` (mar): The adjective "bitter," which describes the quality of the water at Marah.
* `{{H4843}}` (marar): The verbal root meaning "to be bitter," "to make bitter," or "to show bitterness." This root underlies the noun and adjective forms.
* `{{H4752}}` (mor): Myrrh, a bitter gum, further illustrating the semantic field.
The experience at Marah is conceptually linked to themes of divine testing, wilderness trials, human complaint, God's miraculous provision, and the establishment of covenantal principles. It stands in stark contrast to the sweetness of the manna later provided, representing a fundamental lesson in reliance upon God amidst hardship.
### Theological Significance
Marah holds profound theological significance within the narrative of the Exodus and beyond. It represents a crucible of faith, where God allowed His newly liberated people to encounter immediate hardship, not to destroy them, but to refine them and reveal His character.
1. **Divine Testing and Revelation:** Marah was a place of testing, where God sought to ascertain the Israelites' trust and obedience after their initial deliverance. It was here that God began to lay down His statutes, emphasizing that obedience would lead to health and freedom from the "diseases of Egypt" [[Exodus 15:26]].
2. **God's Transforming Power:** The miraculous sweetening of the bitter waters powerfully illustrates God's ability to transform dire circumstances into sources of life and blessing. This act prefigures the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms the bitterness of sin and death into the sweetness of salvation and eternal life.
3. **Covenantal Faithfulness:** The event at Marah underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people falter in their faith. He consistently provides for their needs, demonstrating His compassion and sovereignty.
4. **A Pattern for Spiritual Life:** Marah serves as an enduring metaphor for the trials and tribulations encountered in the spiritual journey. It teaches that even after great triumphs, periods of bitterness may arise, but God remains the ultimate source of provision and transformation.
### Summary
`{{H4785}}` (Mârâh) is a proper noun denoting a specific location in the wilderness, named for the bitter quality of its water. This site, documented in [[Exodus 15:23]], marks a pivotal moment in Israel's journey from slavery to the Promised Land. It served as a divine test, highlighting the Israelites' propensity for complaint and, more importantly, God's immediate and miraculous provision. The transformation of Marah's bitter waters into sweet water profoundly symbolizes God's power to redeem and transform challenging circumstances, laying foundational principles for His people's faith and obedience throughout their wilderness sojourn.
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