formed like מִרְזַח; a cry, i.e. (of grief) a lamentation; mourning.
Transliteration:marzêach
Pronunciation:mar-zay'-akh
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach, `{{H4798}}`) is derived from a root suggesting a "cry" or "shout." Its base definition indicates a "cry of grief," leading to "lamentation" or "mourning." However, its usage in the biblical text reveals a broader semantic range, encompassing a "communal gathering" or "feast." The nature of this gathering — whether for solemn mourning or indulgent revelry — is determined by its specific context. The underlying commonality is a noisy or significant assembly, often involving food and drink, with strong emotional or ritualistic overtones.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, presenting distinct yet reconcilable meanings:
1. **[[Jeremiah 16:5]]**: "For thus says the LORD: 'Do not enter the house of mourning (מַרְזֵחַ), nor go to lament or bemoan them; for I have taken away My peace from this people,' declares the LORD, 'My steadfast love and mercy.'"
* Here, "marzêach" clearly refers to a "house of mourning," specifically a gathering or feast associated with funerary rites and lamentation for the deceased. The divine prohibition to participate in this customary social and religious practice underscores the severity of God's impending judgment upon Judah, symbolizing the disruption of normal life and the removal of divine peace and mercy.
2. **[[Amos 6:7]]**: "Therefore they shall now go into exile at the head of those who go into exile, and the revelry (מַרְזֵחַ) of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away."
* In Amos, "marzêach" is translated as "revelry" or "carousing." It describes the luxurious and self-indulgent feasts of the complacent elite in Israel, who live in opulence while ignoring God's justice and the plight of the poor. This usage highlights a gathering characterized by excessive pleasure and gluttony, contrasting sharply with the context in Jeremiah.
**Reconciliation of Meanings:** The apparent discrepancy between "mourning" and "revelry" can be understood by viewing "marzêach" as a general term for a "ritualistic feast" or "communal gathering." The specific character of the feast — whether solemn or indulgent — is determined by the occasion and the participants' intent. Ancient Near Eastern parallels, particularly the Ugaritic "marzeah," support this interpretation, referring to a socio-religious association or guild that held banquets, which could encompass both funerary rites and general feasting. Thus, "marzêach" signifies a significant communal assembly, the nature of which reflects the spiritual and social condition of those involved.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach, `{{H4798}}`) benefits from examining related semantic fields and extra-biblical parallels:
* **Mourning and Lamentation:** Concepts related to grief include `{{H5594}}` (sāphad, to lament), `{{H605}}` ('āval, to mourn), and `{{H4553}}` (maspēd, lamentation). These terms align with the "house of mourning" context in Jeremiah, emphasizing the sorrowful aspect of the "marzêach."
* **Feasting and Revelry:** Words such as `{{H4744}}` (mishteh, feast, banquet), `{{H2093}}` (zālāl, to be lavish, gluttonous), and `{{H8354}}` (shāthah, to drink) connect with the "revelry" aspect in Amos. These highlight the indulgent and often excessive nature of the gatherings.
* **Ancient Near Eastern Parallels:** The most significant parallel is the Ugaritic term "marzeah." This was a well-documented institution in the ancient world, referring to a guild or association that held banquets, often with cultic or social significance. These gatherings could involve religious rituals, libations, and even funerary meals. This broader understanding of "marzeah" as a "cultic feast" or "social assembly" provides crucial insight into its flexible application in the Hebrew Bible, explaining how it could denote both a solemn mourning feast and an indulgent revelry.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach, `{{H4798}}`) carries profound theological implications:
* **Divine Judgment and the Suspension of Rituals:** In [[Jeremiah 16:5]], the command to avoid the "house of marzêach" (mourning) symbolizes the severity of God's judgment. It signifies the disruption of fundamental human and religious practices, illustrating that even the most sacred social rituals can be suspended under divine wrath. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and the depth of His displeasure when His people persist in sin. The inability to mourn properly becomes a sign of the profound curse upon the land.
* **Condemnation of Indulgence and Spiritual Apathy:** In [[Amos 6:7]], the "marzêach" (revelry) of the complacent elite is a direct target of prophetic condemnation. This usage underscores God's righteous anger against those who prioritize self-indulgence and luxury over justice, righteousness, and obedience to His commands. Their excessive feasting is contrasted with their impending exile, serving as a stark warning that prosperity misused leads to divine judgment. It emphasizes that true worship and faithfulness are incompatible with self-serving revelry that ignores God's will and the suffering of others.
* **The Ambiguity of Human Gatherings:** The contrasting meanings of "marzêach" reveal the inherent ambiguity of human communal gatherings. Such assemblies can be legitimate expressions of grief, communal support, and cultural identity, or they can devolve into occasions for sin, self-indulgence, and spiritual blindness. The nature of the "marzêach" ultimately reflects the spiritual condition and moral choices of the participants. God's assessment of these gatherings is based not on their form, but on the heart and actions of those involved.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַרְזֵחַ (marzêach, `{{H4798}}`) is a rare but potent term, appearing in [[Jeremiah 16:5]] as a "house of mourning" and in [[Amos 6:7]] as "revelry." While seemingly contradictory, these usages can be reconciled by understanding "marzêach" as a "communal feast" or "gathering" whose specific character is determined by its context. Drawing upon Ancient Near Eastern parallels, particularly the Ugaritic "marzeah," it refers to a significant assembly, often with ritualistic overtones, which could encompass both solemn funerary rites and indulgent banquets. Theologically, "marzêach" serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment: in Jeremiah, it signifies the cessation of legitimate mourning rituals due to God's wrath, indicating a disruption of normal life; in Amos, it represents the condemned self-indulgence of the elite, highlighting God's rejection of their spiritual apathy and injustice. Ultimately, the word underscores that God's perspective on human gatherings is determined by the moral and spiritual state of those who participate.
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