Original Word: מַמְזֵר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mamzer
Pronunciation: mam-ZAYR
Phonetic Spelling: (mam-zare')
Definition: Bastard, illegitimate child
Meaning: a mongrel, born of a, Jewish father and a, heathen mother

bastard

From an unused root meaning to alienate; a mongrel, i.e. Born of a Jewish father and a heathen mother -- bastard.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a bastard, child of incest
NASB Translation
illegitimate birth (1), mongrel race (1), one of illegitimate birth (1).

מַמְזֵר noun masculine bastard, specifically child of incest (Late Hebrew id. (see Levy), מַמְזֵרוּת incest; Aramaic (loan-word) מַמְזֵרָא bastard): —

1 literally bastard, Deuteronomy 23:3 (see Dr).

2 perhaps figurative collective, of mixed population Zechariah 9:6 ᵐ5 ἀλλογενεῖς (compare also Gei^{Urschrift 52f.})

II. מזר (√ of following, si vera lectio; possibly = spread out; Aramaic stretch oneself, compare Arabic aequaliter distendit utrem).

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to alienate.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G241 (ἄλλογενής, allogenēs): This Greek term means "of another race" or "foreign," and while not a direct equivalent, it shares the theme of mixed or foreign lineage.
• G4204 (πόρνη, pornē): This term means "harlot" or "prostitute" and, while not directly related to "mamzer," it is associated with illegitimacy and moral impurity in a broader sense.

The concept of "mamzer" in the Hebrew Bible reflects the ancient Israelite emphasis on purity, lineage, and the integrity of the covenant community, with implications for both social and religious life.

Usage: The term "mamzer" appears in the Hebrew Bible to describe individuals of mixed or illegitimate parentage. It is used in contexts that discuss the purity of the community and the implications of mixed lineage.

Context: • The term "mamzer" is found in the Hebrew Bible in Deuteronomy 23:2, which states, "No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD." This verse highlights the exclusion of individuals of mixed or illegitimate birth from the religious community, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the purity of the Israelite assembly.
• In a broader cultural and historical context, the term "mamzer" reflects the ancient Israelite concern with lineage and the integrity of the community. The restrictions placed on mamzerim (plural of mamzer) underscore the significance of legitimate parentage in maintaining the covenantal relationship with God.
• The rabbinic interpretation of "mamzer" extends beyond mere mixed parentage to include those born from certain prohibited relationships, such as incest or adultery. This interpretation further emphasizes the moral and legal dimensions of the term within Jewish law and tradition.
• The concept of "mamzer" also serves as a metaphor for spiritual impurity or defilement, illustrating the broader theological themes of holiness and separation that are prevalent throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

מַמְזֵ֖ר ממזר mam·zêr mamZer mamzêrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts