Original Word: מוֹתָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mowthar
Pronunciation: mo-thar'
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-thar')
Definition: Abundance, excess, advantage, profit
Meaning: gain, superiority

plenteousness, preeminence, profit

From yathar; literally, gain; figuratively, superiority -- plenteousness, preeminence, profit.

see HEBREW yathar

Word Origin
from yathar
Definition
abundance, preeminence
NASB Translation
advantage (2), profit (1).

Word Origin: Derived from the root יָתַר (yatar), which means "to remain" or "to be left over."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence between Hebrew and Greek terms, the concept of gain or advantage in the New Testament can be related to Greek words such as κέρδος (kerdos, Strong's Greek 2771), which means "gain" or "profit," and ὑπεροχή (hyperochē, Strong's Greek 5242), which means "superiority" or "excellence." These Greek terms capture similar ideas of advantage or surplus as expressed by the Hebrew מוֹתָר.

Usage: The word מוֹתָר appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe a surplus or advantage, often in the context of what remains or is left over after a process or event. It is used to express the concept of gain or superiority in various contexts.

Context: The Hebrew term מוֹתָר (motar) is used in the Old Testament to signify gain or superiority, often in the context of what is left over or remains. This word is found in Ecclesiastes, where it is used to explore the themes of human endeavor and the pursuit of advantage. For example, in Ecclesiastes 3:19, the term is used to question the superiority of humans over animals, highlighting the shared fate of both: "For the fate of both the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile." (BSB)

The use of מוֹתָר in Ecclesiastes reflects the philosophical inquiry into the value and purpose of human life, questioning the ultimate gain or superiority that one might achieve. This aligns with the broader themes of Ecclesiastes, which often challenge the reader to consider the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the true source of meaning and fulfillment.

וּמוֹתַ֨ר ומותר לְמוֹתָ֑ר למותר מוֹתָ֑ר מותר lə·mō·w·ṯār lemoTar ləmōwṯār mō·w·ṯār moTar mōwṯār ū·mō·w·ṯar umoTar ūmōwṯarInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts