מָרָה (ma.rah)
ma.rah
Marah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Marah identifies a specific location in the wilderness narrative, named for its bitter waters. Situated three days’ journey from the Red Sea crossing, this site in the Sinaitic peninsula is where the Israelites first encountered a severe lack of drinkable water after their miraculous escape from Egypt.
The name itself derives from the Hebrew root meaning "bitter," reflecting the unpleasant taste of the spring’s water. This geographical detail serves as a pivotal moment in Exodus, marking the transition from physical deliverance to spiritual testing, where the community’s thirst leads them to grumble against their leaders and question God’s presence.
While the word appears only three times in Scripture, its significance extends beyond geography. The bitter water becomes a symbol of the harsh realities of the journey, contrasting sharply with the sweetness that follows when God shows Moses a piece of wood to throw into the waters. This event establishes Marah as a place where faith is refined through hardship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Marah means 'bitter,' a fitting label for the waters found three days into the wilderness journey after crossing the Red Sea. This location marks a sharp transition from the miracle of deliverance to the reality of survival. When the people arrived, they found only undrinkable water, leading to immediate frustration and conflict with Moses. It is a raw depiction of how quickly hope can turn to anger when circumstances do not match our expectations.
Yet this story offers more than just a record of complaint. God instructs Moses to throw a piece of wood into the bitter spring, transforming it into sweet, life-giving water. This act demonstrates that God does not abandon His people in the midst of their thirst or confusion. Instead, He provides a way forward through what seems impossible.
For your own faith, this narrative reminds you that difficult seasons are not signs of abandonment. Even when your current situation feels bitter and undrinkable, God is present to bring sweetness and restoration. You can trust that He is working even when the path ahead is unclear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Marah2×
- at/ Marah1×
- Marah/ towards1×
- Marah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/מָּרָ֔ה2×
- מָרָֽה\׃1×
- מָרָ֔תָ/ה1×
- בְּ/מָרָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:23
When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah.
This verse establishes the origin of the name Marah by directly linking the bitter taste of the water to the location's identity, highlighting the immediate crisis faced by the Israelites.
-
Numbers 33:8
They traveled from before Hahiroth, and crossed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah.
This entry records the specific journey timeline, confirming that Marah was reached after three days in the wilderness of Etham, emphasizing the duration of their initial struggle without water.
-
Numbers 33:9
They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there.
By noting their departure from Marah to Elim, this verse contrasts the bitterness of Marah with the abundance of Elim, showing God's provision following the test.