Lexical Summary Mara: Mara Original Word: מָרָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mara For mar feminine; bitter; Mara, a symbolic name of Naomi -- Mara. see HEBREW mar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom marar Definition "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi NASB Translation Mara (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מָרָא Ruth 1:20, see I. מַר above Topical Lexicon OverviewMara appears once in Scripture, when Naomi returns to Bethlehem and declares that she should no longer be called “Naomi” (“pleasant”) but “Mara” (“bitter”). Biblical Context Ruth 1:20: “Do not call me Naomi,” she replied. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” Having lost husband and sons in Moab, Naomi interprets her circumstances as bitter evidence of divine affliction. The name encapsulates the crisis at the heart of the narrative and sets the stage for the redemptive arc that follows. Historical Setting The events occur during the era of the Judges, a period marked by social instability (Judges 21:25). A widow devoid of male heirs faced economic ruin and extinction of her family line. Naomi’s self-designation reflects that precarious reality and exposes a common Old Testament theme: perceived divine severity preceding unexpected deliverance. Theology of Name Changes Scripture records several divinely initiated name changes (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel), but Mara is self-applied. While Naomi voices honest lament, the narrative subtly resists the permanence of the label—she is consistently called Naomi by others (Ruth 2:6; Ruth 4:3). The contrast highlights God’s prerogative to define identity and destiny, not temporary affliction. Bitterness and Divine Providence Naomi’s words echo earlier biblical imagery: at Marah the Israelites encountered bitter water that the LORD made sweet (Exodus 15:23-25). Both accounts feature complaint transformed by grace. In Ruth, bitterness yields to restoration as Boaz assumes the role of kinsman-redeemer, leading to the birth of Obed (Ruth 4:13-17). The pattern underscores that perceived calamity can become the conduit of covenant blessing. Christological Significance Obed’s genealogy culminates in David and ultimately Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5-16). Naomi’s bitterness is thus woven into the lineage of the Messiah, illustrating Romans 8:28 in narrative form: “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.” The episode foreshadows Christ, the greater Redeemer, who transforms sorrow into joy (John 16:20). Ministry Application 1. Authentic lament honors God; believers may voice anguish without faithlessness (Psalm 62:8; 1 Peter 5:7). Related Texts Exodus 15:23-25; Hebrews 12:15; James 5:11; Revelation 21:4. Summary Mara captures a moment when personal anguish seems final, yet the narrative quickly reveals that God’s purposes exceed human appraisal. Naomi’s self-imposed name is overshadowed by God’s redemptive action, demonstrating that bitterness, honestly confessed, can become the soil from which immeasurable blessing and even messianic hope spring forth. Forms and Transliterations מָרָ֔א מרא mā·rā maRa mārāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |