Lexical Summary maq: Smite, strike, wound Original Word: מַק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance rottenness, stink From maqaq; properly, a melting, i.e. Putridity -- rottenness, stink. see HEBREW maqaq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom maqaq Definition decay, rottenness NASB Translation putrefaction (1), rot (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַק (with article מָק) noun masculine decay, rottenness; — תַּחַת בּשֹׁם מַק יִהְיֶה Isaiah 3:24 instead of perfume rottenness shall there be; figurative שָׁרְשָׁם כַּמָּק יִהְיֶה Isaiah 5:24 ("" וּפִרְחָם כָּאָבָק יַעַלֶה). מִקְרָא see I. קרא. מִקְרֶה, מִקָרֶה see קרה מְקֵרָה see קרר. I. מִקְשָׁה, מִקְישֶׁה see קשׁה II. מִקְשָׁה see [ קִשֻּׁאָה]. I. מַר, מֹר, מָרָא Ruth 1:20, see I. מרר. II. מַר see II. מרר. Topical Lexicon Meaning and imagery מַק portrays hidden decay that emerges as stench or crumbling rot. The term evokes wood eaten from within by worms, fabric reduced to powder, or flesh putrefying under a bandage. In prophetic poetry it functions as a visceral metaphor for moral and spiritual corruption that finally becomes visible and repulsive. Occurrences in Isaiah • Isaiah 3:24 contrasts the cultivated fragrance of Zion’s women with “stench” (מַק) when judgment overturns their vanity. Historical setting Both oracles arise in eighth-century Judah. Under Uzziah and his successors prosperity fostered luxury, oppression, and idolatry. Isaiah exposes a culture that looked impressive outwardly yet was rotting within; external affluence masked internal faithlessness. מַק captures that hidden decomposition as the inevitable consequence of despising “the word of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 5:24). Theological themes 1. Covenant curses: Deuteronomy 28 warns that disobedience will bring wasting diseases and corruption. Isaiah’s use of מַק shows those curses already at work. Prophetic contrast: fragrance or stench The Spirit-inspired antithesis mirrors New Testament teaching: believers are to be “the pleasing aroma of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:15), not a stench of death. Isaiah’s imagery invites self-examination lest hypocrisy replace holiness. Ministry application • Personal holiness: Hidden sin—resentment, lust, greed—decays character. Pastors and parents alike must address root issues, not merely symptoms. Echoes in later Scripture Jesus rebukes “whitewashed tombs” that “appear beautiful outwardly, but within are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27), an image parallel to מַק. James warns wealthy oppressors, “Your riches have rotted” (James 5:2). The consistent biblical witness presents rot as the destiny of unrepentant sin. Gospel hope While מַק signals judgment, it also highlights the need for regeneration. Christ’s atoning death stops the spread of corruption and His resurrection life brings incorruptibility (1 Corinthians 15:53-54). The Spirit continually renews believers “day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16), reversing the rot that sin produces. Summary מַק, though occurring only twice, supplies a vivid emblem of the inner decay inherent in covenant infidelity. Isaiah employs the term to strip away Judah’s cosmetic righteousness and to warn that what festers in secret will surface in ruin. For today’s reader the word summons earnest repentance, wholehearted obedience, and confident reliance on the cleansing, preserving grace of God in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations כַּמָּ֣ק כמק מַ֣ק מק kam·māq kamMak kammāq mak maqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Isaiah 3:24 HEB: תַ֨חַת בֹּ֜שֶׂם מַ֣ק יִֽהְיֶ֗ה וְתַ֨חַת NAS: of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; Instead KJV: And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle INT: instead of sweet will be putrefaction will come Instead Isaiah 5:24 2 Occurrences |
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