from מָרַק; properly, rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with perfumery); purification.
Transliteration:mârûwq
Pronunciation:maw-rook'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun mârûwq (`{{H4795}}`) is derived from the verbal root mâraq (`{{H4838}}`), which fundamentally means "to rub," "to scour," "to polish," or "to cleanse." As a noun, mârûwq therefore refers to the *act* or *process* of rubbing, specifically with an intention towards purification or beautification. The base definition provided highlights its dual nature: "properly, rubbed" (denoting the physical action) and "a rubbing (with perfumery)" (indicating the substances used during the process), ultimately leading to "purification" (the desired outcome). Its semantic range thus extends from a literal, physical action of cleansing or polishing to the more abstract concept of a preparatory purification, often involving cosmetic or hygienic applications.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mârûwq (`{{H4795}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole context particularly significant for understanding its meaning. This unique occurrence is found in the book of Esther:
* [[Esther 2:12]]: "Now when the turn of every maiden was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)"
In this verse, mârûwq specifically refers to the elaborate and lengthy twelve-month purification process that the virgins underwent before being presented to King Ahasuerus. This regimen was not a simple bath but a comprehensive program involving specific substances: six months with oil of myrrh and six months with "sweet odours" (or spices) and other unspecified "things for the purifying of the women." The term mârûwq here encapsulates the entire, meticulous preparatory period, underscoring the thoroughness required to make the women aesthetically pleasing and ritually acceptable for the king's presence. It highlights a process of intense refinement and beautification, essential for their potential selection.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root mâraq (`{{H4838}}`), from which mârûwq is derived. This root verb is used in contexts such as polishing metal (e.g., [[Leviticus 6:28]]) or cleansing vessels, always conveying the idea of making something clean, smooth, or bright through rubbing or scouring.
Concepts related to mârûwq include:
* **Cleansing and Purification:** While mârûwq in Esther is primarily cosmetic, it touches on the broader biblical theme of purification (tahorah - `{{H2891}}`), which can be ritual, moral, or physical.
* **Anointing and Perfumery:** The mention of "oil of myrrh" and "sweet odours" links mârûwq to the biblical practices of anointing (mishchah - `{{H4886}}`) and the use of perfumes (roqach - `{{H7545}}`). These substances were often used for beautification, but also for consecration, healing, or expressing honor.
* **Preparation and Consecration:** The extended period of mârûwq signifies a process of preparation, making someone fit for a particular role or presence. This resonates with the concept of setting apart or consecration, making something or someone holy or dedicated for a specific purpose.
### Theological Significance
While mârûwq appears in a seemingly secular context describing the preparation for an earthly king, it carries implicit theological resonance. The meticulous and lengthy process described in [[Esther 2:12]] provides an earthly parallel to spiritual preparation and sanctification. Just as the virgins underwent extensive mârûwq to be made beautiful and acceptable for an earthly monarch, so too are believers called to a process of spiritual purification and refinement to be presented before the King of Kings.
This concept subtly underscores the importance of discipline, dedication, and transformation in the spiritual life. The "purification" is not superficial but deep and prolonged, suggesting that true spiritual readiness is not instantaneous but a sustained process. The use of precious oils and perfumes, while for physical beautification, can also evoke the idea of being adorned with virtues and the "fragrance of Christ" (cf. [[2 Corinthians 2:15]]). The narrative, though not explicitly theological, uses mârûwq to highlight the profound effort involved in becoming truly ready for an encounter with royalty, a principle that can be extrapolated to the believer's journey towards divine fellowship and service.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mârûwq (`{{H4795}}`), derived from the root mâraq (`{{H4838}}`), signifies a process of "rubbing (with perfumery)" leading to "purification" or beautification. Its singular biblical occurrence in [[Esther 2:12]] vividly describes the twelve-month regimen of cosmetic and hygienic treatments undergone by the virgins preparing to meet King Ahasuerus, involving oils of myrrh and sweet odors. This unique usage highlights a meticulous, prolonged, and dedicated process of refinement. While contextualized in an earthly royal court, mârûwq implicitly points to broader biblical themes of thorough preparation, purification, and beautification—concepts that find spiritual resonance in the believer's journey of sanctification and readiness for divine presence.
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