Original Word: מִרְזַח
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mirzach
Pronunciation: meer-zakh'
Phonetic Spelling: (meer-zakh')
KJV: banquet
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to scream]

1. a cry, i.e. (of job), a revel

banquet

From an unused root meaning to scream; a cry, i.e. (of job), a revel -- banquet.

Word Origin
the same as marzeach, q.v.

מַרְזֵחַ noun masculine^{Amos 6:7} cry (ᵑ7 מַרְזְחָא mourning- feast; Phoenician מרזח a rel. festival (> usually a month), compare Palmyrene, ClGann Littm, see GACooke^{Inscr. 95. 121 f. 303 and references}; Lzb^{Ephem. i. 47 f. 343 f.}); **Lzb^{Ephem. ii. 231} ברבנות מרזחותה די כמרי בל. —

1 mourning cry (or feast? Talmud מִרְזֵיחָא), absolute ׳בֵּית מ Jeremiah 16:5 i.e. house of mourning ("" ספד, נוד).

2 cry of revelry, construct מִרְזַח סְרוּחִים Amos 6:7.

רָזִי see רזה. above

Overview

Mirzach refers to an exuberant revelry marked by self-indulgent feasting and carefree merrymaking. The term occurs only once, but in that single appearance it captures the prophet Amos’s sharpest rebuke of the Northern Kingdom’s elite complacency.

Canonical Context

Amos’s oracle is directed at Zion and Samaria’s privileged classes who recline on ivory beds, enjoy choice meats, and “strum away on their harps” (Amos 6:1–6). Into that scene he inserts mirzach—an atmosphere of raucous banqueting that masks spiritual decay.

text: “Therefore, you will now go into exile as the first of the captives, and the revelry of the loungers will come to an end” (Amos 6:7).

Historical Background

Eighth-century Israel enjoyed a brief swell of prosperity under Jeroboam II. Archaeology affirms luxurious ivory inlays at Samaria and opulent homes at Hazor, corroborating Amos’s description. Public life blended political security, economic expansion, and religious syncretism. Mirzach crystallizes the moral danger of that era: Israel mistook material blessing for divine approval.

Thematic Insights

1. False Security: Mirzach illustrates how comfort can dull covenant responsibility (compare Deuteronomy 8:10–14).
2. Social Apathy: The revelers “drink wine by the bowlful” yet do “not grieve over the ruin of Joseph” (Amos 6:6). Luxury numbed compassion for the poor.
3. Inevitable Judgment: Exile will shatter the revelry; the first to indulge will be the first to march away. The reversal underscores God’s justice (Proverbs 11:4).

Connections within Scripture

• Isaiah 5:11–13 parallels mirzach’s indictment of early-morning drinkers whose banquets end in captivity.
• Luke 12:19–20 evokes the same spirit in the rich fool whose feast is cut short by death.
• Revelation 18:7–8 shows Babylon’s downfall after living “in luxury and self-indulgence,” echoing Amos’s warning that worldly revelry cannot withstand divine judgment.

Christological Reflection

Jesus participates in rightful feasts (John 2:1–11) yet calls sinners to repentance rather than reckless indulgence. The contrast between mirzach and the Messianic banquet (Matthew 22:2–10) highlights that true celebration flows from covenant fidelity, not self-centered excess.

Ministry and Homiletical Applications

• Call believers to examine comforts that may stifle compassion or dull urgency for the gospel.
• Warn against equating economic success with spiritual health; prosperity can be a test of stewardship.
• Encourage corporate lament and intercession for societal injustices—the antidote to careless revelry.
• Preach the hope that in Christ the end of sinful mirzach leads to the beginning of righteous joy: “Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).

מִרְזַ֥ח מרזח mir·zaḥ mirZach mirzaḥInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts