dual of מַר feminine; double bitterness; Merathajim, an epithet of Babylon; Merathaim.
Transliteration:Mᵉrâthayim
Pronunciation:mer-aw-thah'-yim
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4850 (מְרָתַיִם, *Mᵉrâthayim*) is a fascinating and potent word, derived from the root מַר (mar), meaning "bitter" or "bitterness." The form מְרָתַיִם incorporates the dual ending -ayim, which denotes a "double" or "twofold" quantity. Thus, the literal and primary meaning of Mᵉrâthayim is "double bitterness" or "bitterness of two kinds." This is not a common noun but rather a proper noun, serving as a symbolic epithet. Its very structure suggests an intensified state of sorrow, affliction, or a severe punitive measure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4850 (מְרָתַיִם, *Mᵉrâthayim*) appears uniquely in the Hebrew Bible in [[Jeremiah 50:21]]. In this singular occurrence, it functions as a symbolic name or epithet for Babylon: "Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the inhabitants of Pekod. Lay waste and utterly destroy them," declares the LORD, "and do all that I have commanded you." The context is a powerful prophetic oracle against Babylon, detailing its impending destruction at the hands of the Medes and other nations. The use of "Merathaim" alongside "Pekod" (meaning "punishment" or "visitation") is highly significant. "Merathaim" here underscores the severe and comprehensive nature of the judgment awaiting Babylon. It may refer to the double measure of bitterness Babylon inflicted upon others (especially Judah) and will now receive in kind, or it could signify the intense, twofold bitterness of the judgment itself, experienced both by the land and its inhabitants. The divine command to "lay waste and utterly destroy them" further amplifies the sense of complete and bitter desolation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical root for H4850 is מַר (mar), which carries a broad semantic range including physical bitterness (e.g., [[Exodus 15:23]]), emotional bitterness (e.g., [[Ruth 1:20]]), and the bitterness of affliction or distress (e.g., [[Lamentations 3:15]]). The dual ending is common in Hebrew for things that come in pairs (e.g., eyes, hands) or for places with two distinct parts. The concept of "double" often appears in prophetic literature to denote an intensified degree, whether of blessing or curse (e.g., a "double portion" of the Spirit in [[2 Kings 2:9]], or "double for all her sins" in [[Isaiah 40:2]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Divine Judgment:** The broader theme of God's righteous judgment against nations, particularly those who oppress His people.
* **Retribution (*Lex Talionis*):** The principle of divine recompense, where the punishment fits the crime, often with an amplified measure (e.g., [[Revelation 18:6]] speaks of Babylon receiving "double for her sins").
* **Babylon's Identity:** The various descriptive names and epithets given to Babylon throughout prophetic literature, highlighting its role as an oppressor and an object of divine wrath.
### Theological Significance
The designation of Babylon as "Merathaim" carries profound theological weight.
1. **Divine Justice and Sovereignty:** It powerfully asserts God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. Babylon, the seemingly invincible empire, is identified by God with its ultimate destiny: a place of "double bitterness." This underscores that no power, however mighty, can escape divine reckoning.
2. **Retributive Justice:** The "double bitterness" signifies a just and severe recompense for Babylon's actions. Having inflicted immense suffering and bitterness upon Judah and other nations, Babylon will now experience a commensurate, if not amplified, measure of divine wrath. This aligns with the biblical principle that those who sow injustice will reap destruction.
3. **Symbolic Language:** "Merathaim" is not merely a geographical designation but a symbolic descriptor of Babylon's nature and fate. It encapsulates the essence of its oppressive character and the severity of its impending judgment. This symbolic naming is consistent with prophetic discourse that often uses evocative language to convey spiritual truths.
4. **Foreboding for Spiritual Babylon:** In Christian theology, the judgment of ancient Babylon often serves as a type or foreshadowing of the ultimate judgment upon "Babylon the Great" in the Book of Revelation (e.g., [[Revelation 17:5]], [[Revelation 18:2]]). The "double bitterness" of Merathaim thus resonates with the "double" judgment promised to the eschatological Babylon, a symbol of all ungodly systems and opposition to God.
### Summary
H4850 (מְרָתַיִם, *Mᵉrâthayim*) literally means "double bitterness" and is used as a unique epithet for Babylon in [[Jeremiah 50:21]]. This singular occurrence within a prophecy of judgment against Babylon powerfully conveys the intense and comprehensive nature of the divine retribution awaiting the oppressive empire. "Merathaim" functions as a symbolic name, highlighting both the severe affliction Babylon inflicted upon others and the magnified bitterness of the judgment it would receive. Theologically, it underscores God's righteous justice, His sovereignty over nations, and the principle of divine recompense, serving as a potent reminder that wickedness will ultimately face a bitter, twofold reckoning.
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