מַרְזֵחַ (mar.ze.ach)
mar.ze.ach
mourning
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 marzeach refers to a communal gathering characterized by loud noise, whether in mourning or celebration. It denotes a feast or banquet where participants express intense emotion through crying out, dancing, and eating together. This word captures the social ritual itself rather than just the internal feeling of grief or joy.
Its only occurrence in Scripture is Jeremiah 16:5, where God forbids visiting such gatherings during a time of national judgment. The context clarifies that this was likely a funeral feast or mourning cry, a common ancient Near Eastern practice to honor the dead and support the bereaved community through shared lament.
The term highlights how grief was historically expressed publicly and corporately. By prohibiting entry into these marzeach events, the prophecy emphasizes the severity of the coming disaster, which would silence even these customary outlets for communal sorrow and social bonding.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word marzeach describes a specific type of communal gathering in ancient Israel, often centered around mourning or celebration. It was not just private grief but a public event where people gathered to eat, drink, and express intense emotion together. In Jeremiah 16:5, God commands His people not to enter these houses of mourning during a time of severe judgment. This prohibition highlights how deep the coming disaster would be, removing even the customary social outlets for sorrow.
For us today, this word reminds us that grief is often shared within community. While modern life can sometimes isolate us in our pain, Scripture acknowledges the value of communal support. However, it also warns against rituals that become empty or disconnected from true reverence for God. We are invited to bring our honest sorrow to Him and to each other, finding comfort in His presence rather than relying solely on external displays.
When you face loss or hardship, remember that your feelings are valid and seen by God. You do not need to perform grief for others to validate your pain. Instead, rest in the knowledge that He is near to the brokenhearted. Let this truth bring you peace as you navigate difficult seasons, knowing that your sorrow is held in His loving hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- mourning1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַרְזֵ֔חַ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 16:5
For Yahweh says, “Don’t enter into the house of mourning. Don’t go to lament. Don’t bemoan them, for I have taken away my peace from this people,” says Yahweh, “even loving kindness and tender mercies.
This verse explicitly forbids entering the marzeach gatherings, showing that God's judgment was so severe it would suspend normal social and mourning customs.