מָחָה (ma.chah)
ma.chah
to wipe; to strike; be marrow
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb machah primarily means to wipe or wipe away, often carrying the force of obliteration. In the Qal stem, it describes the physical act of wiping something off a surface, but frequently extends to metaphorical removal, such as blotting out a name or memory. This usage appears in contexts where total erasure is intended, whether referring to the destruction of enemies or the cancellation of a record.
A notable theological application occurs when God promises to blot out transgressions. In Isaiah 43:25, the language suggests a divine act of removing sin from memory entirely, rather than merely covering it. This sense of complete removal is also seen in historical narratives, such as the command to wipe out the Amalekites in I Samuel 15:3, where the verb underscores the finality of the judgment.
The word has a rare secondary meaning derived from its Pual participle form. In Isaiah 25:6, machah describes "fat pieces full of marrow," likely referring to rich, tender meat prepared for a feast. This specific usage highlights the word’s connection to richness and sustenance, standing in contrast to its more common associations with destruction and erasure.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word machah carries the weight of total removal. When God says He will blot out transgressions, it is not a gentle fading but a decisive act of erasure. In Isaiah 43:25, this promise offers relief from the burden of guilt. The imagery suggests that sin is removed so completely that it no longer stands as a barrier between you and the divine. This is not about covering up mistakes but about making them irrelevant through grace.
Yet this same verb also appears in contexts of judgment, such as the command to wipe out the memory of Amalek. The duality of the word reminds us that what God removes from His people He judges in their enemies. For the believer, this means freedom from past failures is real and final. You do not have to carry the shame of yesterday into today.
In Isaiah 25:8, we see another side of this action. The Lord wipes away tears from all faces. Here, the wiping is an act of comfort rather than destruction. It points to a future where sorrow is no more. This blend of judgment and mercy shows that God’s actions are always purposeful. Whether removing sin or ending grief, His work brings restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you wipe out2×
- it will be wiped out2×
- you will wipe out1×
- wipe out/ me1×
- to/ wiping out1×
- to/ wipe out1×
- someone wipes clean1×
- may it be wiped out1×
- it will be wiped away1×
- it be wiped out1×
- he wipes [it] clean1×
- full of marrow1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִמָּחֶ֥ה2×
- תֶּ֣מַח1×
- תֶּ֑מְחִי1×
- תִּמָּֽח\׃1×
- תִּמְחֶה֙1×
- תִמָּחֶֽה\׃1×
- מֹחֶ֥ה1×
- מָחֹ֤ה1×
- מָחָ֔ה1×
- מָחִ֤יתִי1×
- מְמֻ֣חָיִ֔ם1×
- מְחֵ֣/נִי1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
This verse defines the theological core of the word for believers, showing God’s initiative in removing transgressions not because of human merit but for His own sake.
-
Exodus 32:32
Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.”
Moses uses this verb to express his willingness to be erased from God’s book if it meant the people’s forgiveness, highlighting the depth of intercessory love.
-
Isaiah 25:8
He has swallowed up death forever! The Lord Yahweh will wipe away tears from off all faces. He will take the reproach of his people away from off all the earth, for Yahweh has spoken it.
Here the wiping action is applied to tears, shifting the focus from judgment on sin to comfort for the grieving, promising an end to sorrow.
-
Genesis 6:7
Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.”
God uses this verb to describe His regret and decision to destroy humanity from the earth, illustrating the word’s severe connotation of obliteration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does machah mean in Isaiah 43:25?
Is machah only used for negative judgment?
How is this word different from other words for forgiveness?
Every Occurrence (25 verses across 11 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping…
Genesis 7:4In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing…
Genesis 7:23Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and…