Original Word: מָהַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: mahar
Pronunciation: mah-har'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-har')
KJV: endow, X surely
NASB: bartered, pay a dowry
Word Origin: [a primitive root (perhaps rather the same as H4116 (מָהַר - quickly) through the idea of readiness in assent)]

1. to bargain (for a wife), i.e. to wed

endow, surely

A primitive root (perhaps rather the same as mahar through the idea of readiness in assent); to bargain (for a wife), i.e. To wed -- endow, X surely.

see HEBREW mahar

Word Origin
denominative verb from mohar
Definition
to acquire by paying a purchase price
NASB Translation
bartered (1), pay a dowry (1).

III. [מָהַר]

verb denominative acquire by paying purchase-price (Arabic give a dowry, marry for a ; compare Gerber^{Verb. denominative 12} Buhl SS); —

Qal Perfect3plural מָהָ֑רוּ Psalm 16:4 usually obtain another in exchange (or, by paying a price, compare Che), but text dubious; Imperfect3masculine singular suffix+ Infinitive absolute מָהֹר יִמְהָרֶנָּה לוֺ לְאִשָּׁה Exodus 22:15 (E).

ַ˜מהֲתַלּוֺת see תלל.

I. מו a paragogic syllable, attached to בְּ, כְּ, לְ (q. v.), so as to form with them independent words, בְּמוֺ, כְּמוֺ, לְמוֺ (q. v.) These forms, except sometimes כְּמוֺ, are exclusively poetical. In origin מוֺ is identical with מָה what, Arabic , which is used similarly, pleonastically, with certain prefixes, e.g. , , . See Qor 3:153; 71:25; Fl^{Kl. Schr. i. 473f., 479, 558}; W^{AG ii. § 70, Rem. f; SG 126f.}; Kö^{ii. 250 f.}; and compare Ethiopic , Syriac , Sabean בנמו = , DHM^{ZDMG 1883, 396 f.}, Hom^{Chrest. § 18}.

Overview

The verb מָהַר (Strong’s 4117) portrays the decisive act of giving a bride-price—an obligation placed upon a man when he desired to take a woman as his wife. It communicates not mere payment, but covenantal commitment: a public, tangible pledge that the woman would be honored, provided for, and joined to him in lawful union.

Occurrences and Immediate Setting

Exodus 22:16 (Hebrew v.15) is the sole narrative setting for the verb, yet it is repeated in the parallel verse divisions:

“If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and has relations with her, he must pay the bride-price for her and make her his wife.”

Here מָהַר appears twice—“paying he must pay” (מָהֹר יִמְהָרֶנָּה)—emphasizing the absolute necessity of restitution and honorable marriage after illicit intimacy.

Ancient Israelite Marriage Customs

1. Bride-price (mōhar) contrasted with dowry. In surrounding cultures, a dowry was money transferred from the bride’s family to the groom; the mōhar moved in the opposite direction, elevating the daughter’s value and securing her future (compare Genesis 34:12; 1 Samuel 18:25).
2. Community accountability. The transaction was witnessed by family and elders, rooting the marriage in covenant rather than private sentiment (Deuteronomy 22:13-19).
3. Protection of the vulnerable. A virgin without betrothal had limited legal standing. By requiring מָהַר, God upheld her dignity and deterred predatory behavior.

Moral and Judicial Implications

The law guards sexual purity and social stability. Seduction outside betrothal threatened lineage, inheritance, and personal honor. The mandated bride-price:
• Compelled the man to assume lifelong responsibility, countering any temptation to treat intimacy casually.
• Offered economic security to the woman and her future children.
• Signaled to the community that covenant loyalty overrides passion.

Failure to comply invited judicial intervention (Exodus 22:17), preserving the father’s authority and the family’s welfare.

Covenant and Redemption Context

The action of מָהַר foreshadows God’s own redemptive pattern: a costly pledge securing a beloved people. Just as a groom paid substantially to claim his bride, so the Lord “redeemed you from the house of slavery” (Deuteronomy 7:8). The Old Testament repeatedly frames redemption in betrothal language (Hosea 2:19-20), preparing the way for the New Covenant revelation.

Christological Fulfillment

The bride-price reaches ultimate expression in the sacrifice of Christ.
• “You were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
• “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
• “You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The incarnate Son paid infinitely more than silver or gold, binding the church to Himself with an irrevocable covenant. The Mosaic principle of מָהַר thus becomes a gospel illustration: voluntary, sacrificial love that honors and protects.

Practical Ministry Observations

1. Marriage counseling. The verb invites husbands to view financial and emotional provision not as optional, but as integral to covenant love.
2. Sexual ethics. Scripture equates intimacy with responsibility; modern discipleship must echo the same standard, affirming the sanctity of marriage and the worth of every woman.
3. Worship. Reflecting on the heavenly Bridegroom’s payment fuels gratitude and purity in the church.
4. Social justice. The command upholds God’s concern for those wronged by exploitation, reminding believers to defend the vulnerable in contemporary contexts (James 1:27).

Key Cross References

Genesis 34:12; 1 Samuel 18:25; Deuteronomy 22:28-29; Hosea 2:19-20; Psalm 45:10-11; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Ephesians 5:25-32; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 19:7-9.

In every epoch, מָהַר underscores that covenant love is costly and concrete—a truth fulfilled perfectly in the Bridegroom who “loved us and gave Himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2).

יִמְהָרֶ֥נָּה ימהרנה מָהֹ֛ר מהר mā·hōr maHor māhōr yim·hā·ren·nāh yimhaRennah yimhārennāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts