מֻרְדָּף (mur.daph)
mur.daph
persecution
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 mûrdāph denotes a state of being pursued or oppressed, appearing in Scripture exclusively within Isaiah 14:6. In this specific context, it describes the violent actions of a tyrant who strikes down peoples with relentless cruelty. The term captures the active force of persecution, highlighting the suffering inflicted upon others by an aggressive power.
Its rarity underscores the severity of the scenario. By using this word only once, the biblical author emphasizes the unique brutality of the Babylonian king’s reign. The focus remains on the external act of oppression rather than internal emotional responses, providing a stark description of political and military violence in the ancient Near East.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mûrdāph appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Isaiah 14:6. It describes the relentless pursuit and oppression carried out by a tyrant against nations. This rare term highlights the severity of political violence and the suffering inflicted by those in power who act without restraint.
For believers today, this passage offers comfort in the face of injustice. It reminds us that oppressive forces are temporary and subject to God’s ultimate judgment. When you witness cruelty or feel overwhelmed by unfair systems, remember that God sees the persecution and remains sovereign over history.
This single occurrence underscores the gravity of unchecked power. It invites reflection on how we respond to those who suffer under oppression, encouraging compassion and trust in divine justice rather than retaliation.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- persecution1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֻרְדָּ֖ף1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 14:6
who struck the peoples in wrath with a continual stroke, who ruled the nations in anger, with a persecution that no one restrained.
This verse uniquely uses mûrdāph to describe the unrestrained persecution enacted by the Babylonian king, emphasizing the severity of his tyrannical rule.