Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Meaning: The name "Mara" is derived from the Hebrew word "מָרָא" (marah), meaning "bitter." It is a name that appears in the Bible in the context of personal transformation and divine providence. Biblical Reference: The primary reference to Mara is found in the Book of Ruth. After experiencing severe personal loss, Naomi, whose name means "pleasant," chooses to call herself Mara. This change reflects her feelings of bitterness due to the hardships she has endured. The relevant passage is Ruth 1:20-21 : "Do not call me Naomi," she replied. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has dealt quite bitterly with me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me." Context and Background: Naomi's account unfolds during the time of the judges, a period characterized by social and spiritual upheaval in Israel. Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and their two sons leave Bethlehem due to a famine and settle in Moab. After the deaths of her husband and sons, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem with her Moabite daughter-in-law, Ruth. Upon her return, Naomi's self-identification as Mara signifies her grief and the perceived divine judgment she feels has been meted out upon her. Theological Significance: Naomi's choice to rename herself Mara highlights the human experience of suffering and the struggle to understand God's will in times of adversity. Her account is a testament to the reality of pain and loss in a fallen world. However, it also sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Ruth, who becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. This narrative underscores the belief in God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about restoration and blessing from situations of despair. Symbolism and Lessons: Mara symbolizes the bitterness that can accompany life's trials. Yet, the account of Naomi and Ruth illustrates that God remains faithful and can transform bitterness into joy. Naomi's journey from Mara back to Naomi, from bitterness to pleasantness, is emblematic of the hope and redemption available through faith in God's providence. Cultural and Historical Insights: In ancient Israelite culture, names held significant meaning and were often reflective of personal circumstances or divine encounters. Naomi's renaming to Mara is an example of this cultural practice, serving as a public declaration of her inner turmoil and the perceived change in her relationship with God. Related Themes and Topics: · Suffering and Divine Providence · Redemption and Restoration · The Role of Women in Biblical Narratives · The Lineage of David and Messianic Prophecy Cross-References: · Ruth 1:1-22: The broader narrative of Naomi and Ruth's return to Bethlehem. · Job 1:21: Similar themes of loss and divine sovereignty. · Psalm 34:18: "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." The account of Mara, as embodied in Naomi's life, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of faith amidst suffering and the ultimate hope found in God's redemptive plan. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary MaraSmith's Bible Dictionary Mara(sad, bitter), the name which Naomi adopted in the exclamation forced from her by the recognition of her fellow citizens at Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:20) Easton's Bible Dictionary Bitter; sad, a symbolical name which Naomi gave to herself because of her misfortunes (Ruth 1:20). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The principal or ruling evil spirit.2. (n.) A female demon who torments people in sleep by crouching on their chests or stomachs, or by causing terrifying visions. 3. (n.) The Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis Patagonicus). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MARAma'-ra, mar'-a (marah, "bitter"): The term which Naomi applies to herself on her return from Moab to her native country (Ruth 1:20). Changed beyond recognition, she creates astonishment among her former acquaintances, who ask, "Is this Naomi?" She replies, "Call me not Naomi" (i.e. "pleasant" or "sweet"), but "call me Mara" (i.e. "bitter"). In the light of her bitter experience, and her present pitiable plight, the old name has become peculiarly inappropriate. Strong's Hebrew 4755. Mara -- "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi... 4754, 4755. Mara. 4756 . "bitter," symbolic name of Naomi. Transliteration: Mara Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw') Short Definition: Mara. ... /hebrew/4755.htm - 6k 4754. mara -- perhaps to flap (the wings) 8112. Shimron Meron -- a Canaanite city conquered by Joshua 4471. Mamre -- a place in Palestine, also an ally of Abraham 4806. meri -- a fatling, fatlings 4756. mare -- lord Library A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion. The Return from the Sepulchre. The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus Ruth and Naomi. The Story of Ruth, the Gleaner How under Eli's Government of the Israelites Booz Married Ruth ... The Holy Family in Bethlehem after the Departure of the Kings. Ancestors of the Blessed virgin Apocryphal Traditions. Ruth the Gleaner. Thesaurus Mara (1 Occurrence)...MARA. ma'-ra, mar'-a (marah, "bitter"): The term which Naomi applies to herself on her return from Moab to her native country (Ruth 1:20). ...Mara (1 Occurrence). ... /m/mara.htm - 7k Marah (4 Occurrences) Mar (7 Occurrences) Na'omi (21 Occurrences) Bitterly (36 Occurrences) Naomi (25 Occurrences) Almighty (242 Occurrences) Fate (138 Occurrences) Dealt (130 Occurrences) Bitter (203 Occurrences) Resources Who/what is Marah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Naomi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why do some people in the Bible have more than one name? | GotQuestions.org Mara: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Mara (1 Occurrence)Ruth 1:20 Subtopics Related Terms |
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