מַר (mar)
mar
drop
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 mar refers to a single drop or the act of flowing down. It is an exceedingly rare word in Scripture, appearing only once in the entire Old Testament. This solitary occurrence is found in Isaiah 40:15, where the prophet describes the overwhelming greatness of God.
In this context, the word illustrates the insignificance of nations compared to the Creator. The text states that God weighs mountains and measures hills, yet He holds the waters of the sea in the hollow of His hand. Here, mar emphasizes how a vast ocean can be contained as if it were merely a few drops of water.
This usage highlights a common biblical theme: divine power transcends human scale. By reducing the mighty seas to mere drops, the passage underscores that nothing is too large or complex for God to manage. The word serves as a vivid metaphor for absolute sovereignty and control over creation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Isaiah 40:15 uses the word mar to describe how nations appear to God—like a single drop in a vast bucket. This image is not meant to diminish the value of people, but to reveal the scale of divine power. When we feel overwhelmed by the size of our problems or the weight of global events, this verse reminds us that nothing is too large for God to hold.
The same hand that contains the oceans also holds your life. There is a quiet comfort in knowing that what seems immense to us is manageable for the Creator. You do not need to carry burdens that exceed His capacity. Trusting in this sovereignty allows you to rest, knowing that the One who measures the seas also knows your name.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ a drop1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/מַ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 40:15
Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance. Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
This verse uses mar to contrast the insignificance of nations before God, illustrating His absolute control over creation.