מָרָק
soup (as if a rinsing)
Definition
The Hebrew noun מָרָק (mârâq) refers specifically to a broth or soup, likely a thin, liquid dish. It appears only in the context of Gideon's offering to the angel of the Lord in Judges 6:19-20. The word's derivation from the root מָרַק (mâraq, H4838), meaning 'to scour, polish, or rinse,' suggests the broth was perceived as a clear, strained liquid, perhaps like a consommé. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the contents of a pot that Gideon brings out, alongside unleavened cakes and meat, to present as a sacrificial meal.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the narrative of Judges 6:19-20, describing the 'broth' that Gideon prepares. The context is a theophanic meal offering, where Gideon is instructed to place the meat and unleavened cakes on a rock and pour the מָרָק over them. This act precedes the angel of the Lord causing fire to consume the offering. The usage is singular and tied to this specific ritual act within a divine encounter.
Etymology
מָרָק is a noun derived from the verbal root מָרַק (H4838), which means 'to scour, rub, polish, or rinse.' This etymological connection implies the broth was a clear, strained liquid, as if 'rinsed' or purified of solid particles. The semantic development moved from the action of cleansing or polishing to the product—a refined liquid food.
Semantic Range
While the word itself simply means 'broth,' its theological significance arises from its unique context in Judges 6. The pouring out of the broth as part of Gideon's offering (Judges 6:20) symbolizes the complete presentation of the meal to God. The subsequent divine fire that consumes the wet offering—meat, cakes, and broth—powerfully confirms God's presence and acceptance, marking Gideon's call and the inauguration of his deliverance of Israel. Understanding this detail enriches the narrative's depiction of a total, liquid-inclusive sacrifice.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, broth or soup was a common dietary staple, often made by boiling meat, grains, and vegetables. In a ritual context, as seen here, pouring out a liquid like broth could signify libation or the completion of a food offering. The act distinguishes this from a dry sacrifice, emphasizing the totality of the gift being presented to the divine visitor.
נָזִיד (nâzîyd, H5138) — a general term for a stew or boiled dish, often thicker (e.g., Genesis 25:29).
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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