Lexical Summary maar: To bare, to empty, to pour out Original Word: מָאַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fretting, picking A primitive root; to be bitter or (causatively) to embitter, i.e. Be painful -- fretting, picking. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to prick, to pain NASB Translation malignancy (2), malignant (1), prickling (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָאַר] verb (compare Arabic  excite hostility, irritate,  break open, of a wound); — Hiph`il prick, pain Participle מַמְאִיר Ezekiel 28:24 מַמְאֶ֫רֶת Leviticus 13:51 2t.; — of thorn ׳סִלּוֺן מ Ezekiel 28:24 (figurative of oppressors of Israel,); "" קוֺץ מַכְאִב); elsewhere of leprosy (צָרַעַת) = malignant ? Leviticus 13:51,52; Leviticus 14:44 (all P; but ⅏ in all these has מרראת, √ מרא = מרה be obstinate, compare Thes816b Di). מַאֲרָב see ארב. מְאֵרָה see ארר. [מִבְדָּלָה], מִבְדָּלוֺת see בדל. מָבוֺא see בוא. מְבוּכָה see בוך. Topical Lexicon Overview מָאַר (Strong’s Hebrew 3992) is a rare verb, appearing only four times in the Old Testament. It depicts the effect of a destructive infestation—whether a spreading fungus in cloth and buildings or the painful irritation caused by hostile nations. Each context portrays something that corrodes, inflames, or renders unfit for holy use. Occurrences in Scripture • Leviticus 13:51; 13:52 – describes a fabric, weave, knit, or leather article that has become “a destructive fungus”. Ceremonial and Practical Significance in Leviticus 1. Preservation of holiness. Leviticus devotes extended attention to identifying and eliminating sources of uncleanness. By labeling the mildew מָאַר, Scripture stresses its aggressive, corrupting nature. The Israelite camp, set apart for the presence of the LORD, could not tolerate even subtle forms of decay. Prophetic Insight in Ezekiel Ezekiel 28:24 broadens the term’s reach. Hostile nations, once an irritating “brier,” will no longer afflict Israel when the LORD brings final restoration. The same word used for destructive mildew becomes a picture of geopolitical oppression. God promises to excise that irritation just as a priest once burned an unclean garment. Theological Implications • Sin corrodes. מָאַר graphically portrays how evil—whether fungal spores, idolatry, or hostile powers—eats away at what should be dedicated to God. Practical Ministry Applications • Discernment in counseling and church discipline: take early, decisive action against spreading moral or doctrinal decay. Typological Connections The burning of a mold-ridden garment anticipates the believer’s call to “put off” the old self (Ephesians 4:22). The promised removal of briers in Ezekiel foreshadows the New Jerusalem where “nothing unclean will ever enter it” (Revelation 21:27). Summary מָאַר is a vivid reminder that corruption—whether biological, moral, or societal—must be exposed and eliminated under God’s righteous care. Its four occurrences trace a consistent biblical theme: the LORD identifies what spreads ruin, provides means for purification, and promises a future free from every defiling irritant. Forms and Transliterations מַמְאִיר֙ מַמְאֶ֙רֶת֙ מַמְאֶ֛רֶת מַמְאֶ֥רֶת ממאיר ממארת mam’ereṯ mam’îr mam·’e·reṯ mam·’îr mamEret mamIrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Leviticus 13:51 HEB: לִמְלָאכָ֑ה צָרַ֧עַת מַמְאֶ֛רֶת הַנֶּ֖גַע טָמֵ֥א NAS: is a leprous malignancy, it is unclean. KJV: the plague [is] a fretting leprosy; INT: the purpose leprous malignancy the mark is unclean Leviticus 13:52 Leviticus 14:44 Ezekiel 28:24 4 Occurrences |
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