or מְרוֹר; from מָרַר; a bitter herb; bitter(-ness).
Transliteration:mᵉrôr
Pronunciation:mer-ore'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma מְרֹר (mᵉrôr, `{{H4844}}`) is derived from the verbal root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`), which fundamentally signifies "to be bitter," "to be strong," or "to be grievous." Consequently, מְרֹר primarily denotes "bitterness" or "a bitter thing." Its most specific and common usage is to refer to "bitter herbs," often in the plural form מְרֹרִים (mᵉrôrîm). The semantic range extends from the literal gustatory sensation to a metaphorical representation of deep distress, sorrow, or a grievous experience. It can describe both a tangible substance (like the bitter herbs eaten during Passover) and an abstract quality or state of being (such as the bitterness of affliction).
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of מְרֹר in the Hebrew Bible, though few, are highly significant, particularly within the foundational rituals of Israel.
* [[Exodus 12:8]] provides the initial and most prominent command concerning מְרֹר: "They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs [וּמְרֹרִים]." This verse establishes bitter herbs as an essential component of the Passover meal, directly linking them to the commemoration of Israel's bitter servitude in Egypt. The plural form emphasizes the collective nature or variety of these herbs.
* [[Numbers 9:11]] reiterates this instruction for those observing the Passover on the second month: "In the second month, on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs [וּמְרֹרִים]." The consistent pairing of bitter herbs with unleavened bread underscores their indispensable symbolic role in recounting the Exodus narrative.
* [[Lamentations 3:15]] employs מְרֹרִים metaphorically to describe profound personal and national suffering: "He has sated me with bitter herbs [מְרֹרִים]; he has made me drunk with wormwood." Here, the term transcends its literal culinary meaning to represent the overwhelming anguish and grievous affliction experienced by the prophet Jeremiah, symbolizing divine judgment and the consequences of sin.
The consistent usage of מְרֹר points to its function as a powerful symbol of hardship, whether the historical bondage of Israel or the intense personal anguish of a prophet.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`), from which מְרֹר is directly derived. This root encompasses a wider semantic field, including "to be bitter," "to be strong," "to be rebellious," or "to be grieved." Other lexical forms stemming from this root include:
* מַר (mar, `{{H4751}}`): An adjective meaning "bitter," "bitterness," or "fierce." Used to describe water ([[Exodus 15:23]]), a person's soul ([[1 Samuel 1:10]]), or a day ([[Amos 8:10]]).
* מֶרֶר (merer, `{{H4845}}`): A noun meaning "gall" or "poison," often associated with extreme bitterness or venom.
* מְרִירִי (meriri, `{{H4846}}`): An adjective meaning "bitter" or "fierce."
Beyond the מָרַר root family, other words conveying similar concepts of bitterness, sorrow, or distress include:
* לַעֲנָה (la'anah, `{{H3939}}`): "Wormwood," known for its extreme bitterness, often paired with "gall" (רֹאשׁ, rosh, `{{H7219}}`) to denote severe judgment or affliction ([[Deuteronomy 29:18]], [[Lamentations 3:19]]).
These related terms collectively paint a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted nature of "bitterness" in the biblical worldview, encompassing physical taste, emotional anguish, and divine judgment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מְרֹר is profound and multifaceted.
1. **Remembrance of Bondage and Deliverance:** Its most prominent role is in the Passover ritual, where the eating of מְרֹרִים serves as a tangible, sensory reminder of the bitter servitude and affliction endured by the Israelites in Egypt. This act of remembrance is not merely historical recall but a re-experiencing of the past, designed to foster gratitude for God's powerful redemptive work in bringing His people out of bondage. It grounds the celebration of liberation in the harsh realities from which God delivered them.
2. **Symbol of Divine Judgment and Suffering:** In [[Lamentations 3:15]], מְרֹר transcends its ritualistic context to symbolize the deep suffering and anguish that can result from divine judgment or the consequences of sin. Here, the bitter herbs represent the overwhelming nature of God's discipline, highlighting the depth of human sorrow when facing His righteous hand.
3. **Context for Grace and Salvation:** The juxtaposition of bitter herbs with the unleavened bread (symbolizing purity and haste) and the sacrificial lamb (symbolizing atonement and deliverance) in the Passover meal creates a powerful theological narrative. It teaches that true deliverance and salvation are often understood and appreciated most deeply when contrasted with prior suffering. The bitterness of the past makes the sweetness of liberation and God's grace all the more profound and meaningful.
4. **Empathy and Identity:** By ritually consuming מְרֹר, each generation of Israelites was invited to identify with the suffering of their ancestors, fostering empathy and a collective memory of their identity as a people delivered by God from a state of bitterness.
Ultimately, מְרֹר points to the reality of human suffering in a fallen world and God's active engagement with it—both as a consequence of sin and as a backdrop against which His grace, faithfulness, and salvation are powerfully revealed.
### Summary
מְרֹר (mᵉrôr, `{{H4844}}`) is a Hebrew noun primarily denoting "bitter herbs" or "bitterness," derived from the root מָרַר (marar, `{{H4843}}`). Its core meaning encompasses both a literal taste and a metaphorical representation of deep sorrow and affliction. The most significant biblical occurrences are found in the context of the Passover, where the eating of מְרֹרִים (bitter herbs) is commanded as a perpetual, sensory reminder of the Israelites' harsh bondage in Egypt, thus underscoring God's redemptive deliverance from suffering ([[Exodus 12:8]], [[Numbers 9:11]]). Beyond the ritual, מְרֹר is employed metaphorically in [[Lamentations 3:15]] to describe profound personal anguish and the experience of divine judgment. Theologically, מְרֹר highlights the reality of human suffering, the importance of remembering past hardships, and how God's salvation and grace are often understood and magnified against the backdrop of such bitter experiences. It serves as a powerful symbol of the affliction that precedes and intensifies the joy of liberation.
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