Lexical Summary marats: To be sick, to be weak, to be grieved Original Word: מָרַץ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance embolden, be forcible, grievous, sore A primitive root; properly, to press, i.e. (figuratively) to be pungent or vehement; to irritate -- embolden, be forcible, grievous, sore. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be sick NASB Translation painful (2), plagues (1), violent (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָרַץ] verb be sick, only in derived species (Assyrian II. marâƒu DlHWB 426; Arabic ![]() ![]() Niph`al Perfect3plural נִמְרְצוּ Job 6:25 (but see below); Participle נִמְרָץ Micah 2:10; feminine נִמְרֶ֫צֶת 1 Kings 2:8; — חֶבֶל נִמְרָץ Micah 2:10 a sore, grievous destruction (literally made sick, compare מַכָּה נַחְלָה Jeremiah 14:17); נִמְרֶצֶת קְלָלָה 1 Kings 2:8 a grievous curse. — In Job 6:25 this meaning unsuitable, Bu are strong, effective [compare Assyrian I. marâƒu, be difficult, inaccessible DlHWB 425 f.; always of something repelling]. More probably נמרצו = נמלצו be sweet (compare Psalm 119:103) or read נמלצו (q. v.), CheJQ July, 1897 Du. Hiph`il Imperfect suffix מַהיַּֿמְרִיצְךָ Job 16:3 what sickens thee (what disturbs, vexes thee) that thou answerest ? [מְרֻצָה] see מְרוּצָה below רוץ. מַרְצֵעַ see רצע. מַרְצֶ֫פֶת see רצף. Topical Lexicon Overview מָרַץ (marats, Strong’s H4834) conveys an intense, forceful pressure that may be physical, emotional, or moral. In the Hebrew Scriptures it surfaces only four times, yet each context illustrates some form of grievous affliction that presses upon individuals or communities. Biblical Occurrences • 1 Kings 2:8 – David recalls how Shimei “cursed me with a grievous curse” during Absalom’s revolt. The term underscores the crushing weight of Shimei’s words, which struck the king at his lowest moment. Theological Themes 1. Oppressive Speech In three of the four passages the pressure comes through words. Shimei’s cursing, Job’s stinging honesty, and the endless rhetoric of Job’s friends all reveal speech as a vehicle of grievous affliction. Scripture repeatedly teaches that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Marats underlines that careless or malicious words may wound with crushing force. 2. Covenant Breakdown and Social Ruin Micah’s use of marats links personal affliction to societal collapse. Judah’s land, polluted by greed and violence, will experience a “grievous destruction.” The prophetic warning aligns with Deuteronomy’s covenant sanctions: persistent sin brings overwhelming pressure from God’s judgment, eventually forcing exile. 3. Suffering and Sanctification Job’s experience shows that even righteous believers may feel pressed beyond endurance. Yet the same pressure refines faith. Job’s raw honesty before God anticipates New Testament exhortations to “consider it pure joy…when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2). Historical Context • Shimei’s Curse (2 Samuel 16; 1 Kings 2) – A Benjamite’s bitter words against David reflect lingering tribal tensions after Saul’s dynasty fell. The memory of that curse remained “grievous” decades later, shaping Solomon’s early reign. • Job’s Dialogue – Likely set in the patriarchal age, Job’s conversations exemplify ancient Near Eastern wisdom debates. The verbal pressure exerted by friends who misapply theology highlights perennial pastoral dangers. • Micah’s Oracle – Eighth-century Judah faced Assyrian aggression and internal injustice. The prophet’s warning that the land would be ruined “with a grievous destruction” foretells the exile that struck a century later. Pastoral and Ministry Implications 1. Guarding the Tongue Marats reminds pastors, teachers, and all believers that words can either edify or crush. Faithful ministry must balance truthful rebuke with gentleness, lest the hearer be “overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:7). 2. Addressing Oppression Micah’s usage calls the church to expose and resist systems that place crushing burdens on the vulnerable. Gospel proclamation includes confronting economic and social injustices that defile a community. 3. Encouraging the Afflicted When saints feel pressed by trials or by harsh words, ministries of comfort should echo Paul: “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed” (2 Corinthians 4:8). The same God who allowed Job’s testing also “comforts us in all our affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Christological Perspective Jesus Christ experienced the ultimate marats. In Gethsemane He confessed, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38), and on the cross He bore the full weight of sin’s curse. By suffering the greatest pressure, He offers relief: “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Eschatological Hope Micah’s warning is not the final word. The same book foresees a future in which “nation will no longer take up the sword against nation” (Micah 4:3). Revelation completes the arc: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). The oppressive pressure signified by marats will be forever lifted in the new creation. Application for Believers • Examine speech: Do my words heal or press down? Marats thus serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin, the potency of words, and the redeeming grace that relieves every crushing weight in Christ. Forms and Transliterations יַּ֝מְרִֽיצְךָ֗ ימריצך נִּמְרְצ֥וּ נִמְרֶ֔צֶת נִמְרָֽץ׃ נמרץ׃ נמרצו נמרצת nim·rāṣ nim·re·ṣeṯ nim·rə·ṣū nimrāṣ nimRatz nimreṣeṯ nimrəṣū nimRetzet nimreTzu yam·rî·ṣə·ḵā yamrîṣəḵā yamritzechaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 2:8 HEB: קִֽלְלַ֙נִי֙ קְלָלָ֣ה נִמְרֶ֔צֶת בְּי֖וֹם לֶכְתִּ֣י NAS: now it was he who cursed me with a violent curse KJV: which cursed me with a grievous curse INT: cursed curse A violent the day went Job 6:25 Job 16:3 Micah 2:10 4 Occurrences |