lemma מָרָה missing dagesh, corrected to מׇרָּה; a form of מֹרָה; trouble; bitterness.
Transliteration:morrâh
Pronunciation:mor-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4787 (מׇרָּה, *morrâh*) carries the core meaning of "bitterness" or "trouble." It is identified as a form of מֹרָה (*morah*), which itself derives from the root מָרַר (*marar*, `{{H4753}}`). This root broadly signifies "to be bitter," "to be strong," or "to be rebellious." In the context of morrâh, the primary semantic range leans towards the experiential quality of bitterness, not merely as a taste, but as a profound internal state of sorrow, distress, or affliction. It describes a deep-seated unpleasantness or pain, often emotional rather than physical, that pervades one's inner being.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4787 (מׇרָּה, *morrâh*) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in the book of Proverbs:
* **[[Proverbs 14:10]]**: "The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy."
In this singular occurrence, morrâh describes an intrinsic, personal, and often hidden sorrow. The verse highlights the deeply subjective nature of human experience, particularly in matters of grief and joy. The "bitterness" (*morrâh*) is something that the "heart" (*lev*, `{{H3820}}`) intimately "knows" (*yada'*, `{{H3045}}`). This implies an internal, often incommunicable, suffering that is unique to the individual. A "stranger" (*zar*, `{{H2114}}`), or an outsider, cannot fully comprehend or participate in either this profound sorrow or the corresponding personal joy. The context of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, uses this term to underscore the complexity of human emotion and the private chambers of the soul.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of morrâh is significantly enriched by examining its linguistic relatives, especially those stemming from the root מָרַר (*marar*, `{{H4753}}`). This root is prolific in conveying various shades of bitterness and severity:
* `{{H4751}}` (מַר, *mar*): Bitter, bitterness. Used for literal taste ([[Exodus 15:23]]), and metaphorically for bitter experience or sorrow ([[Ruth 1:20]]).
* `{{H4753}}` (מָרַר, *marar*): To be bitter, to embitter. Often used to describe a difficult or painful life ([[Exodus 1:14]]) or a state of grief.
* `{{H4843}}` (מְרִירָה, *merirah*): Bitterness, gall. Found in contexts of intense sorrow or poison.
The concept of "bitterness" in the Old Testament is frequently associated with:
* **Affliction and Suffering**: As seen in Naomi's declaration, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me" ([[Ruth 1:20]]).
* **Grief and Mourning**: The experience of deep sorrow, often accompanied by weeping.
* **Internal Distress**: The hidden anguish that may not be outwardly visible but profoundly affects the individual.
This network of related words and concepts establishes morrâh within a broader biblical vocabulary that acknowledges and articulates the reality of human suffering and the profound emotional landscape of the heart.
### Theological Significance
The solitary yet poignant appearance of morrâh in [[Proverbs 14:10]] carries significant theological weight. It speaks to:
1. **The Privacy of the Human Heart**: The verse underscores that there are dimensions of human experience, particularly suffering and joy, that are deeply personal and inaccessible to others. This highlights the unique relationship each individual has with their own inner world.
2. **God's Omniscience**: While a "stranger" cannot share or fully comprehend this internal bitterness, God, as the knower of hearts ([[1 Samuel 16:7]], [[Psalm 139:1-4]]), is intimately aware of every hidden sorrow and joy. This offers profound comfort to those who bear private burdens.
3. **The Reality of Suffering**: The wisdom literature, exemplified by Proverbs, does not shy away from the harsh realities of life, including internal pain. Morrâh acknowledges that life involves profound, sometimes isolating, bitterness.
4. **Empathy and Humility**: The verse implicitly calls for humility in human interaction, recognizing the limits of our ability to fully understand another's inner state. It suggests a need for empathy, even when the full depth of another's experience remains a mystery.
5. **The Human Condition**: The verse describes a universal aspect of the human condition: the capacity for profound, solitary emotional experience that shapes one's perspective on life.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H4787 (מׇרָּה, *morrâh*) denotes a deep, internal "bitterness" or "trouble." Derived from the root מָרַר (`{{H4753}}`), which signifies bitterness and severity, morrâh describes an experiential state of profound sorrow or distress. Its single biblical occurrence in [[Proverbs 14:10]] is highly significant, asserting that "The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy." This verse powerfully highlights the deeply personal and often hidden nature of human suffering, emphasizing that certain emotional experiences are uniquely known to the individual. Theologically, morrâh underscores the privacy of the human heart, the comprehensive knowledge of God concerning our inner lives, and the universal reality of profound, sometimes isolating, internal anguish, inviting both empathy and reliance on divine understanding.
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