Original Word: מָרַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: maraq
Pronunciation: mah-RAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rak')
KJV: bright, furbish, scour
NASB: polish, polished, scour, scoured
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to polish
2. (by implication) to sharpen
3. (also) to rinse

bright, furbish, scour

A primitive root; to polish; by implication, to sharpen; also to rinse -- bright, furbish, scour.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to scour, polish
NASB Translation
polish (1), polished (1), scour (1), scoured (1).

I. [מָרַק] verb scour, polish (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic מְרַק; compare Arabic scrape off wool from a skin); —

Qal Imperative מִרְקוּ הָֽרְמָחִים Jeremiah 46:4 polish the lances! Passive participle מָרוּק2Chronicles 4:16 polished, of bronze utensils of temple (= מְמוֺרָט 1 Kings 7:45).

Hiph`il Imperfect3feminine singular חַמְרִיק only Proverbs 20:30 Kt, figurative, in clause בְּרָ֑ע ׳חַבֻּרוֺת מֶּצַע ת blows that cut in, cleanse away evil (compare De Now Wild VB); Qr תַּמְרוּק i.e. (are) a cleaning. (ᵐ5 συναντᾷ κακοῖς, whence Gr תַּקְדִּים, Frankenb. תִּקְרֶינָה, but improbable).

Pu`al Perfect וּמֹרַק consecutive Leviticus 6:21 be well scoured, of bronze vessel ("" וְשֻׁטַּף בַּמָּ֑יִם).

Core Concept

With only four appearances in Scripture, מָרַק unites vigorous rubbing, scrubbing, or polishing with the removal of impurity. Whether applied to cookware, bronze furnishings, human character, or military equipment, the verb always points to thorough purification that makes the object ready for holy or purposeful use.

Cultic Cleansing: Leviticus 6:28

“Now the clay pot in which the sin offering is boiled must be broken, but if it has been boiled in a bronze pot, it must be scoured and rinsed with water.”

The priest ensures that no remainder of the sin offering adheres to the vessel. Scouring protects Israel from residual defilement and illustrates that atonement leaves nothing half-cleansed. Holiness requires the complete elimination of sin’s stain—an anticipation of the once-for-all cleansing accomplished by Christ.

Temple Excellence: 2 Chronicles 4:16

“Huram-abib made of polished bronze for King Solomon for the house of the LORD.”

Huram’s workshop did not merely cast utensils; it polished them until they gleamed. Temple service demanded utensils that reflected God’s glory rather than absorbing grime. The verse challenges modern craftsmanship and ministry to aim for the same meticulous devotion, reminding believers that beauty and utility meet in sanctified service.

Moral Refinement: Proverbs 20:30

“Lashes and wounds scour evil, and beatings cleanse the inmost parts.”

The proverb moves מָרַק from metal to motive. Discipline—though painful—penetrates the heart’s recesses and removes entrenched folly. The image counters superficial approaches to sin, underscoring that genuine correction seeks internal purity, not mere outward compliance (see Hebrews 12:10-11).

Battle Readiness: Jeremiah 46:4

“Harness the horses; mount the steeds; take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears and put on armor!”

Egypt’s troops cannot enter combat with tarnished weapons. Polishing the spears symbolizes urgency and preparedness. Yet Jeremiah’s context reveals the futility of military sheen without submission to the sovereign Lord. For believers, spiritual warfare likewise requires cleansed instruments and reliance on divine strength, not mere human polish (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Theological Threads

1. Total Purging: Whether pot, utensil, soul, or spear, everything destined for God’s purposes must be rid of corruption.
2. Consecration Follows Cleansing: A scoured vessel is immediately set apart for use; sanctification always precedes service.
3. Inner Over Outer: The move from vessels to heart (Proverbs) and from weapons to divine judgment (Jeremiah) shows that God’s concern progresses from external surfaces to the deepest interior.
4. Christ’s Fulfillment: Every image of scouring reaches its zenith in the One who “loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26).

Ministry Applications

• Personal Holiness: Invite the Spirit to expose and scrub lingering sin—private stains that dull spiritual usefulness.
• Discipleship and Discipline: Firm, loving correction remains a biblical agent for purging evil and building character.
• Excellence in Service: In preaching, music, counseling, or administration, polish the craft until it reflects God’s worth.
• Spiritual Warfare: Keep weapons clean—faith, prayer, Scripture—so they function effectively in the day of battle.

Summary

מָרַק is an everyday verb elevated to sacred significance. By connecting the scrubbing of pots, the burnishing of bronze, the chastening of hearts, and the shining of weapons, Scripture proclaims a single truth: God desires thoroughly cleansed instruments—people and things—prepared for His glory and victory.

וּמֹרַ֥ק ומרק מִרְקוּ֙ מָרֽוּק׃ מרוק׃ מרקו תַּמְר֣וּק תמרוק mā·rūq maRuk mārūq mir·qū mirKu mirqū tam·rūq tamRuk tamrūq ū·mō·raq umoRak ūmōraqInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts