מַמְרוֹר (mam.ror)
mam.ror
bitterness
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 mamror denotes a "bitter thing" or the quality of bitterness itself. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Job 9:18. In this context, Job uses it to describe his suffering as an experience that leaves him with no respite, suggesting that his pain is not just emotional but deeply pervasive and harsh.
While the word literally refers to something bitter, likely drawing on the sensory experience of taste to describe spiritual or physical anguish, its singular usage makes it a rare term in biblical Hebrew. Job’s choice here emphasizes the sharp, unpleasant nature of his affliction, framing his life not as a journey but as a continuous intake of hardship that offers no relief.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels heavy and unrelenting, it is easy to feel that your pain has no end. The word mamror, meaning bitterness, captures this overwhelming sense of hardship. In Job 9:18, the text describes a state where breath is short and bitterness fills every part of one’s being. This rare Hebrew term does not just describe a fleeting emotion; it paints a picture of deep, pervasive suffering that leaves no room for relief.
Yet, even in this stark description, there is a quiet invitation to bring your whole self to God. Job did not hide his anguish behind polite words. He spoke the truth of his pain, allowing his raw honesty to become a form of prayer. This reminds us that our faith does not require us to suppress our struggles or pretend everything is fine when it is not.
Your feelings of bitterness are seen and known. You do not have to carry this weight alone. In the silence of your own suffering, you can find comfort in knowing that your honest cries are heard. May you find peace in the presence of God, who walks with you through even the darkest valleys.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bitter things1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַמְּרֹרִֽים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Job 9:18
He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
This verse uniquely uses mamror to describe a state where suffering prevents breath and fills the person completely, highlighting the inescapable nature of Job's anguish.