Lexical Summary morad: Descent, slope, decline Original Word: מוֹרָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance going down, steep place, thin work From yarad; a descent; as architecture, an ornamental appendage, perhaps a festoon -- going down, steep place, thin work. see HEBREW yarad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom yarad Definition a descent, slope NASB Translation descent (3), hanging (1), steep place (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מוֺרָד noun [masculine] descent, slope; absolute ׳מו Micah 1:4 2t.; construct מוֺרַד Joshua 10:11; Jeremiah 48:5; — 1 descent, slope, as designation of locality Joshua 7:5; Joshua 10:11 (׳בְּמ בֵּיתחֿוֺרֹן; both J E); חֹרוֺנַיִם ׳בְּמ Jeremiah 48:5; + חֹרֹנַיִם בַּמּוֺרָד insert in 2 Samuel 13:34 ᵐ5 We Dr; in General כְּמַיִם מֻגָּרִים בְּמוֺרָד Micah 1:4. 2 מַעֲשֵׂה מוֺרָ֑ד 1 Kings 7:29 work of descent, i.e. hanging-work (VB). Topical Lexicon Concept of the Downward Slopeמוֹרָד denotes a drop-off, steep decline, or sloping pass. Scripture employs it both literally—identifying physical terrain—and figuratively—portraying judgment, humiliation, or irresistible momentum. Occurrences in Narrative and Prophecy 1. Joshua 7:5 – After the defeat at Ai, “the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men and chased them from the gate as far as the descent”. The steep ravine outside the city became the scene of Israel’s shame, underscoring the depth of defeat that follows hidden sin (Joshua 7:11-12). 2. Joshua 10:11 – During the pursuit from Gibeon, “as they fled before Israel on the descent of Beth Horon, the LORD cast down large hailstones from heaven”. The pass of Beth Horon, a strategic slope from the Benjamin plateau toward the coastal plain, turned into a funnel of divine judgment. Military skill was secondary; victory depended on the Lord who controls both terrain and weather. 3. 1 Kings 7:29 – In Solomon’s temple furnishings, ornamental lions and oxen were arranged “below the panels” at the point of the downward contour of each stand. Even in artistry the idea of descent marks the transition from decorative top to stable base, reflecting order and symmetry in the house where God’s glory dwelt. 4. Jeremiah 48:5 – Concerning Moab: “On the ascent to Luhith they go up weeping; on the descent to Horonaim they hear cries of destruction”. The opposing images of ascent and descent frame the total collapse of a nation. What rises in pride will fall in ruin. 5. Micah 1:4 – In the prophet’s vision, valleys “split apart, like wax before the fire, like water cascading down a slope”. The downward rush pictures unstoppable divine visitation; nothing resists when the Judge comes down. Themes Drawn from the Descent • Human vulnerability – Steep passes expose retreating armies (Joshua 7:5; 10:11). The downward route leaves no cover, illustrating how sin strips defenses (Psalm 32:3-4). • Divine initiative – God turns natural gradients into instruments of deliverance or doom. Hailstones at Beth Horon and melting mountains in Micah confirm that creation serves its Maker’s purposes (Psalm 97:5). • Reversal of pride – Moab’s downfall (Jeremiah 48) and Micah’s melting hills testify that every lofty thing will be brought low (Isaiah 2:12-17). • Architectural order – Even temple craftsmanship reflects descent as part of a planned whole (1 Kings 7:29), reminding worshipers that beauty and humility can coexist. Practical and Ministry Insights 1. Hidden sin produces a rapid downturn. Israel’s warriors fell “at the descent,” dramatizing how quickly spiritual compromise becomes public defeat. Pastors and leaders must guard congregational integrity to avoid similar collapse. 2. Victory often follows the gradient of obedience. At Beth Horon, Israel’s pursuit aligned with God’s intervention. Ministry strategy should map onto God’s revealed will, not merely favorable geography. 3. Pride precipitates steep judgment. Jeremiah’s oracle against Moab and Micah’s broader warning counsel believers to stay low before the Lord (James 4:10), lest the descent become their own. 4. Creation imagery enhances proclamation. The vivid picture of water racing down a slope (Micah 1:4) offers preachers a dynamic metaphor for the gospel’s power—once released, it moves with unstoppable grace to the lowest places. Conclusion מוֹרָד, though a modest topographical term, carries rich layers of meaning. Whether marking a battlefield rout, the craftsmanship of the temple, or the torrent of prophetic judgment, each descent in Scripture points to the larger truth that God exalts the humble and brings down the proud, directing every rise and fall within His redemptive plan. Forms and Transliterations בְּמוֹרַ֣ד בְּמוֹרַ֤ד בְּמוֹרָֽד׃ בַּמּוֹרָ֑ד במורד במורד׃ מוֹרָֽד׃ מורד׃ bam·mō·w·rāḏ bammoRad bammōwrāḏ bə·mō·w·raḏ bə·mō·w·rāḏ bemoRad bəmōwraḏ bəmōwrāḏ mō·w·rāḏ moRad mōwrāḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 7:5 HEB: הַשְּׁבָרִ֔ים וַיַּכּ֖וּם בַּמּוֹרָ֑ד וַיִּמַּ֥ס לְבַב־ NAS: and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts KJV: and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts INT: Shebarim down the descent melted the hearts Joshua 10:11 1 Kings 7:29 Jeremiah 48:5 Micah 1:4 5 Occurrences |
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