Original Word: מוּר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: muwr
Pronunciation: moor
Phonetic Spelling: (moor)
KJV: X at all, (ex-)change, remove
NASB: change, changed, exchange, does exchange, exchanged, exchanges
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to alter
2. (by implication) to barter, to dispose of

exchange, remove

A primitive root; to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of -- X at all, (ex-)change, remove.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to change
NASB Translation
change (3), changed (3), does exchange (2), exchange (3), exchanged (1), exchanges (1).

[מוּר] verb change (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il; Arabic (medial ו) is move to and fro (intransitive); (medial י) procure food, Aramaic buy or import food, Nö^{ZMG xi. 1886, 154}); —

Niph`al Perfect נָמָ֑ר (as if from מרר) be changed, Jeremiah 48:11 subject רֵיחוֺ (of wine, figurative of Moab);

Hiph`il Perfect הֵמִיר Jeremiah 2:11; on הַהֵימִיר ib., see K?:i. 457; Imperfect יָמִיר Psalm 15:4 3t.; jussive יָמֵר Ezekiel 48:14; suffix יְמִירֶנּוּ Leviticus 27:33 (twice in verse); אָמִיר Hosea 4:7; וַיָּמִ֫ירוּ Psalm 106:20; Infinitive construct הָמִיר Psalm 46:3; absolute הָמֵר Leviticus 27:10,33; —

1 change, alter, Micah 2:4 (object חֵלֶק עַמִּי; but ᵐ5 יִמַּד בַּחֶבֶל, so Sta^{ZAW 1886, 122 f.}); Psalm 15:4 (no object expressed); Hiph`il declar. Psalm 46:3 (ארץ subject, Hup Che Bae and others, Ges^{§ 115}, 2, R. 2) when the earth shews change; Krochm Gr proposes הִמּוֺג (compare מוג Psalm 46:7b "" מוט), but needless.

2 exchange (followed by accusative of object relinquished, + בְּ before object acquired) Leviticus 27:10 (4 t. in verse) (2t. as Infinitive absolute); Hosea 4:7; Psalm 106:20; compare with one object Leviticus 27:33 (3 t. in verse) (once as Infinitive absolute); Jeremiah 21:11 (twice in verse) (compare above); without object Ezekiel 48:14 (but Ew Co יוּמַר, Hoph`al).

Hoph`al Imperfect יוּמַר Ezekiel 48:14 Ew Co, compare Berthol.

Summary of Theme

The term conveys the idea of alteration, substitution, or exchange. In its fifteen appearances the concept is consistently negative when directed toward God or His holy things, but positive when highlighting human steadfastness in contrast to changeability.

Covenant Vows and Holy Things (Leviticus 27)

Threefold repetition in Leviticus 27:10 and 27:33 ties the verb to vows of animals and the tithe of the herd and flock. The worshiper is strictly forbidden to “replace it or exchange it” (Leviticus 27:10). Any attempt to substitute makes both animals holy, preventing manipulation of the vow. The law guards God-ward commitments from being cheapened by human caprice and upholds the principle that what is consecrated remains inviolably His. Ministry implication: promises made to the Lord must be fulfilled without alteration; attempts to improve on them only deepen one’s obligation.

Integrity and Personal Character (Psalm 15:4)

The psalm’s description of the righteous includes one “who does not change his oath even when it hurts.” Covenant fidelity between people mirrors the fidelity expected toward God in Leviticus. The believer’s word stands firm despite personal cost, embodying God’s own unchanging faithfulness.

Cosmic Stability Versus Earthly Upheaval (Psalm 46:2)

“Though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas,” the psalmist declares fearless trust. Here the term depicts cataclysmic change in creation, contrasting with the unshakable refuge found in God (Psalm 46:1). Believers view political or natural convulsions as transient compared to the permanence of divine security.

The Perils of Idolatrous Exchange (Psalm 106:20; Jeremiah 2:11; Hosea 4:7)

Israel’s most grievous sin is to trade the incomparable Glory for idols. Psalm 106:20 records that “They exchanged their glory for the image of an ox that eats grass.” Jeremiah laments, “My people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols” (Jeremiah 2:11). Hosea exposes priests who, multiplying in number, “exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace” (Hosea 4:7). The verb underlines the folly of swopping the living God for dead substitutes, a theme Paul echoes in Romans 1:23. Pastoral application: any shift of trust from God to created things reenacts Israel’s disastrous barter.

Prophetic Warnings and National Judgment (Micah 2:4; Jeremiah 48:11; Ezekiel 48:14)

Micah pronounces that the Lord “changes the allotment of my people,” stripping land from the unjust (Micah 2:4). Jeremiah’s oracle against Moab notes that his complacency leaves his “aroma unchanged” until judgment finally overturns him (Jeremiah 48:11). Ezekiel 48:14 commands priests not to “sell or exchange” their sacred portion, preserving its holiness. The verb reminds nations and leaders that land, status, and security are contingent gifts subject to divine re-allotment.

Historical Echoes in Later Scripture

The Septuagint frequently renders the word with allassō or metallassō, setting the stage for New Testament usage. Romans 1:23-26 deliberately echoes Psalm 106:20 and Jeremiah 2:11, showing that idolatrous exchange is a perennial human sin requiring the gospel’s remedy.

Ministry Application

• Guard vows and ministry resources from self-serving alteration.
• Teach believers to honor their word, reflecting God’s immutability.
• Expose modern idolatries—materialism, nationalism, self-worship—as fatal exchanges of glory.
• Encourage stable trust in God amid societal upheaval.
• Warn that complacency, like Moab’s, leaves sin unchallenged until sudden judgment.

אָמִֽיר׃ אמיר׃ בְּהָמִ֣יר בהמיר הֵמִ֥יר הַהֵימִ֥יר הָמֵ֣ר הָמֵ֨ר ההימיר המיר המר וַיָּמִ֥ירוּ וימירו יְמִירֶ֑נּוּ יְמִירֶ֔נּוּ יָמִ֑יר יָמִ֤יר יָמִ֥יר יָמִֽר׃ יָמֵ֛ר ימיר ימירנו ימר ימר׃ נָמָֽר׃ נמר׃ ’ā·mîr ’āmîr aMir bə·hā·mîr behaMir bəhāmîr ha·hê·mîr hā·mêr haheiMir hahêmîr haMer hāmêr hê·mîr heMir hêmîr nā·mār naMar nāmār vaiyaMiru way·yā·mî·rū wayyāmîrū yā·mêr yā·mir yā·mîr yaMer yāmêr yaMir yāmir yāmîr yə·mî·ren·nū yemiRennu yəmîrennūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts