from רוּד in the sense of maltreatment; an outcast; (abstractly) destitution; cast out, misery.
Transliteration:mârûwd
Pronunciation:maw-rood'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4788}}` (mârûwd), transliterated as *mârûwd*, is derived from the root `{{H7322}}` (רוּד - rûwd), which primarily signifies wandering, roaming, or being restless. However, `{{H4788}}` takes on a passive or resultant sense, indicating a state of being *caused* to wander or be in destitution due to maltreatment or adverse circumstances. Its core meaning encompasses the state of being an "outcast," "cast out," or experiencing "misery" and "destitution." This implies not merely a physical wandering, but a profound state of social and economic deprivation, often accompanied by suffering and abandonment. The word powerfully conveys the vulnerability of one who has been dispossessed or marginalized to the point of utter need.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4788}}` appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but its occurrences are highly impactful, appearing in Lamentations 1:7 and Isaiah 58:7.
In [[Lamentations 1:7]], the word describes the dire state of Jerusalem after its destruction and the exile of its people: "Jerusalem remembers in the days of her affliction and her mârûwd all the pleasant things that she had in the days of old." Here, mârûwd is paralleled with "affliction" (עֳנִי - `{{H6040}}`), depicting the city's utter desolation, the forced wandering of its inhabitants, and the profound misery resulting from divine judgment and enemy conquest. It speaks to a collective experience of profound loss, displacement, and abject destitution.
In [[Isaiah 58:7]], `{{H4788}}` is used in a different, yet related, context, addressing the proper practice of fasting and righteousness: "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the mârûwd poor into your house?" Here, mârûwd describes a specific type of impoverished person – one who is not merely poor but is an "outcast," "destitute," or "homeless wanderer." The prophet calls for tangible acts of compassion, specifically to provide shelter and care for those in the most extreme state of vulnerability and social marginalization. This usage highlights the individual plight of the mârûwd and God's expectation for His people to respond with practical love and justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary etymological link for `{{H4788}}` is its root, `{{H7322}}` (רוּד - rûwd), meaning "to wander" or "to roam." While `{{H7322}}` can describe a general movement, `{{H4788}}` specifically denotes a state of being *forced* into wandering or destitution, often due to maltreatment or severe hardship.
The semantic field of `{{H4788}}` overlaps with several other Hebrew terms describing states of suffering, poverty, and displacement:
* **Affliction and Suffering:** `{{H6040}}` (עֳנִי - 'oni, affliction, poverty, misery) and `{{H6031}}` (עָנָה - 'anah, to be afflicted, humbled) capture the experience of hardship inherent in mârûwd.
* **Poverty and Need:** Terms like `{{H7326}}` (רָשׁ - rash, poor) and `{{H34}}` (אֶבְיוֹן - evyon, needy, poor) describe the economic aspect of destitution, which is a key component of the mârûwd condition in Isaiah.
* **Exile and Displacement:** Words such as `{{H1540}}` (גָּלָה - galah, to go into exile) and `{{H5074}}` (נָדַד - nadad, to flee, wander) describe the physical reality of being cast out, which is central to the mârûwd experience in Lamentations.
* **The Vulnerable Stranger:** The concept of the `{{H1616}}` (גֵּר - ger, sojourner, stranger) often intersects with the mârûwd, as both represent individuals lacking societal ties and stable homes, dependent on the hospitality and justice of others.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4788}}` is profound, shedding light on both divine judgment and divine compassion.
Firstly, in [[Lamentations 1:7]], mârûwd serves as a stark descriptor of the consequences of disobedience. Jerusalem's state of utter destitution and forced wandering is presented as the direct outcome of God's righteous judgment against the nation's sin. This highlights the severity of God's discipline and the tangible suffering that can result from a breach of covenant.
Secondly, in [[Isaiah 58:7]], mârûwd underscores God's deep concern for the most vulnerable in society. The command to bring the "outcast poor" into one's house reveals that true worship and righteousness are not merely ritualistic but are inextricably linked to practical acts of justice, mercy, and hospitality towards those in extreme need. This aligns with a pervasive biblical theme that God identifies with the oppressed and expects His people to be agents of His compassion in the world. The mârûwd represents the pinnacle of human vulnerability, evoking a strong call to empathy and active intervention.
Together, these occurrences demonstrate that mârûwd speaks to the dual realities of human suffering – both as a consequence of sin and as a condition that elicits God's profound compassion and calls His people to radical love.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H4788}}` (mârûwd) powerfully conveys a state of profound destitution, being an outcast, or experiencing deep misery, often resulting from maltreatment or divine judgment. Derived from the root `{{H7322}}` (to wander), it describes not just physical roaming but a severe condition of social and economic deprivation. In [[Lamentations 1:7]], it characterizes the national suffering and exile of Jerusalem, a consequence of sin. In [[Isaiah 58:7]], it describes the individual plight of the homeless and utterly destitute poor, serving as a catalyst for God's command for compassionate action. Thus, mârûwd highlights both the severe consequences of disobedience and God's unwavering call for His people to extend justice and mercy to the most vulnerable members of society. It is a term that evokes deep empathy and demands a righteous response to human suffering.
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