English · KJV
H4834

מָרַץ

mârats /maw-rats'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningproperly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate
KJV usageembolden, be forcible, grievous, sore.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mârats — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mârats, represented by H4834, is a primitive root that properly means to press. Figuratively, it conveys being pungent or vehement, and is used to describe something that irritates, emboldens, or is forcible, grievous, or sore. It appears 4 times across 4 unique verses in the Bible, indicating a specific but impactful usage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical occurrences, H4834 consistently adds a layer of intensity or severity to a noun or action. It is used to describe the "sore" destruction that will come upon a polluted people Micah 2:10. In the context of speech, it highlights the power of language, as when Job exclaims how "forcible" right words are Job 6:25. Conversely, it is also used when Job is asked what "emboldeneth" him to answer with vain words Job 16:3. The term also describes the "grievous" nature of the curse Shimei pronounced against David 1 Kings 2:8.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words are directly qualified by H4834, revealing the scope of its meaning:

  • H2256 chebel (destruction): From a root meaning to wind tightly, this word can mean a rope, ruin, or pain. In Micah 2:10, it is paired with H4834 to describe a "sore destruction."
  • H561 'êmer (words): This term for something said, such as a speech or saying, is described as "forcible" in Job 6:25, emphasizing the potent impact of righteous communication.
  • H7045 qᵉlâlâh (curse): Meaning vilification, this word is modified by H4834 in 1 Kings 2:8 to define Shimei's outburst as a "grievous curse," underscoring its severity.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4834 is found in its ability to underscore the gravity of spiritual and moral states.

  • Severity of Judgment: The term highlights the intense nature of divine consequences. In Micah 2:10, the "sore destruction" is a direct result of the land being polluted, linking severe judgment to defilement.
  • The Force of Words: H4834 is used to frame the power of speech in both positive and negative lights. It affirms that "right words" are "forcible" and effective Job 6:25, but it also characterizes the provocative nature of speech that "emboldeneth" a person to respond with empty arguments Job 16:3.
  • Weight of Curses: By describing a curse as "grievous," the word emphasizes the serious and damaging nature of such pronouncements, especially when directed at figures of authority like a king 1 Kings 2:8.

Summary

In summary, H4834 is a focused term used to express vehemence and severity. While appearing only four times, it powerfully modifies concepts of destruction, speech, and curses to convey their pungent and forceful impact. Whether describing the sore consequence of sin, the forcible nature of truth, or the grievous weight of a curse, mârats serves as a biblical amplifier, illustrating that certain actions and words carry an exceptional and deeply felt intensity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 4 occurrences, inflected in 4 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יַּמְרִיצְ
  • נִמְרֶצֶת
  • נִמְרָץ
  • נִּמְרְצוּ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2256 חֶבֶל or חֵבֶל; from חָבַל; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as me H561 אֵמֶר from אָמַר; something said; answer, [idiom] appointed unto him, saying, speech, word. H7045 קְלָלָה from קָלַל; vilification; (ac-) curse(-d, -ing).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 4 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job (2 verses); never once in the other 36.

1
1 Kings
2
Job
1
Micah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.