מַר
a drop
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַר (mar) primarily means 'a drop,' specifically a small, falling liquid droplet. In its single biblical occurrence in Isaiah 40:15, it is used metaphorically to describe nations as being like a 'drop from a bucket' in comparison to God's immense greatness. This emphasizes their utter insignificance and lack of weight or consequence before the Almighty. The word conveys the idea of a minute, measurable quantity of liquid, often used to illustrate something exceedingly small or negligible.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 40:15. It appears in a prophetic context where Isaiah contrasts the nations' perceived power with the supreme sovereignty of God. The usage is purely metaphorical, employing the image of a tiny, insignificant drop of water to diminish human pride and political power. There are no other literal or varied usages in the biblical text.
Etymology
מַר (mar) is derived from the root מָרַר (marar, H4843), which fundamentally means 'to be bitter' or 'to be strong.' In this specific derivation, it relates to the original sense of 'distillation' or 'trickling,' as in the dripping or falling of a bitter liquid. This connects the concept of a 'drop' to the action of a liquid separating and falling in small amounts.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, מַר (mar) is theologically significant for its role in highlighting God's transcendence and the doctrine of divine sovereignty. In Isaiah 40:15, it powerfully illustrates that all nations and human powers are utterly insignificant compared to the Creator. Understanding this Hebrew metaphor enriches reading by vividly conveying the scale of God's majesty and the proper perspective for human ambition, grounding a theology of humility before an all-powerful God.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, a 'drop' from a water jar or bucket was a universally understood image of something minimal and worthless. Water was carried daily, and the loss of a single drop was inconsequential. This cultural touchstone makes Isaiah's metaphor immediately accessible, contrasting the fleeting, measurable works of humanity with the immeasurable, sustaining power of Yahweh.
טָפַח (taphach, H2957) — a drop or globule, often of dew or rain; more literal. נֶטֶף (netheph, H5197) — a dropping or dripping, often referring to honey or liquid from a comb; implies a continuous flow.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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