מֹחַ (mo.ach)
mo.ach
marrow
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun moach refers to the soft, fatty substance found inside bones. In the Bible, it appears only once, in Job 21:24, where it serves as a vivid metaphor for physical well-being and prosperity. The text describes a person whose body is "full of its juices," using the image of marrow to represent deep, internal vitality and health.
Because this word is so rare, its meaning is anchored entirely in that single poetic context. It does not carry legal or ritual significance like other body parts; instead, it highlights the tangible, physical evidence of a blessed life. The contrast in Job’s argument shows how deeply rooted this sense of wholeness was in ancient understanding of fortune.
Translators typically render moach simply as "marrow," preserving the concrete nature of the image. This choice keeps the focus on the bodily reality rather than abstract concepts, reminding readers that biblical language often grounds spiritual truths in physical experience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In a world that often measures success by external achievements, this rare word reminds us of the quiet, internal vitality that sustains life. Found only once in Scripture, it paints a picture of deep physical health and wholeness. When Job describes his opponents as having bones moistened with marrow, he is pointing to a state of complete well-being that goes beyond surface-level prosperity.
This image invites us to consider what truly nourishes our inner being. Just as marrow supports the structure of the bone, spiritual depth supports our faith through difficult seasons. It suggests that true blessing isn't just about outward appearance but involves a rich, sustaining strength within. We can trust that God cares about the whole person, including the hidden places where our resilience is built.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ [the] marrow of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מֹ֖חַ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 21:24
His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.
This verse uses the word to describe the deep physical vitality and moistened strength of a prosperous individual, anchoring the metaphor in tangible bodily health.