מַהֵר (ma.her)
ma.her
quick; quickly
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word maḥēr conveys immediate action, meaning to hurry or move with speed. It functions as both an adjective describing a person who is swift and an adverb indicating that something happens quickly. This term captures the urgency of a moment where delay is not an option, reflecting a physical or situational need for rapid response.
In Scripture, it appears in contexts demanding promptness, such as when Joshua sends spies to Jericho (Joshua 2:16) or when the Israelites are urged to act without hesitation. The word emphasizes the tempo of events, often highlighting the contrast between urgent divine commands and human procrastination. Its presence in books like Deuteronomy and Judges underscores themes of decisive leadership and immediate obedience.
Translators typically render maḥēr as "quickly" or "swiftly," preserving the sense of unhesitating motion. The word does not imply recklessness but rather a focused readiness to act. Its usage in prophetic literature, such as Zephaniah, often accompanies messages of impending judgment, reinforcing the idea that divine timing requires immediate attention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maḥēr captures a sense of urgent readiness, appearing in Scripture where delay is not an option. It describes actions that happen swiftly, whether in the heat of battle or the immediacy of divine instruction. This term reminds us that some moments require a focused response, stripping away hesitation to meet a pressing need.
In our own lives, this concept invites us to consider where God might be calling for prompt obedience. It is not about reckless haste, but rather a heart aligned with the timing of God's purposes. When we sense a call to act, maḥēr encourages us to move with clarity and purpose, trusting that our speed is grounded in faithfulness rather than fear.
Reflecting on this word helps us appreciate the balance between thoughtful preparation and decisive action. It challenges us to be attentive to the moments that demand our immediate attention, ensuring that we do not let procrastination hinder what God has placed before us. This readiness becomes a quiet strength in our daily walk.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- quickly13×
- and/ hurrying1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַהֵ֔ר4×
- מַהֵ֗ר3×
- מַהֵר֙1×
- מַהֵר֒1×
- מַהֵֽר\׃1×
- מַהֵ֛ר1×
- מַהֵ֑ר1×
- מַ֫הֵ֥ר1×
- וּ/מַהֵ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 32:8
They have turned away quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.’”
This verse highlights how quickly the Israelites abandoned God's command, showing that maḥēr can describe rapid spiritual decline as well as physical movement.
-
Deuteronomy 9:12
Yahweh said to me, “Arise, get down quickly from here; for your people whom you have brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned away from the way which I commanded them. They have made a molten image for themselves!”
Here God commands Moses to descend quickly, emphasizing the urgency of addressing immediate sin and the need for prompt intervention in crisis.
-
Joshua 2:5
About the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, the men went out. Where the men went, I don’t know. Pursue them quickly. You may catch up with them.”
The spies are told to pursue quickly, illustrating how maḥēr applies to strategic actions where timing is critical to success.
-
Zephaniah 1:14
The great day of Yahweh is near. It is near and hurries greatly, the voice of the day of Yahweh. The mighty man cries there bitterly.
This passage uses the word to describe the day of the Lord hurrying greatly, reinforcing that divine judgment arrives with unavoidable speed.