מָרַט
to polish; by implication, to make bald (the head), to gall (the shoulder); also, to sharpen
Definition
The Hebrew verb מָרַט (mâraṭ) carries a primary sense of 'to polish' or 'to make smooth,' as seen in its use for polishing bronze objects (1 Kings 7:45). By extension, it describes the action of 'making bald,' specifically referring to the plucking or loss of hair from the head or beard, often as a sign of extreme grief or ritual mourning (Leviticus 13:40-41, Ezra 9:3). In a figurative and violent sense, it means 'to scrape' or 'to gall,' describing the brutal treatment of a person's back (Isaiah 50:6) or the sharpening of a sword (Ezekiel 21:9-10).
Biblical Usage
This verb is used in diverse contexts across several Old Testament books. In ritual law, it describes a baldness that is natural, not a skin disease (Leviticus 13:40-41). It appears in historical narratives for acts of mourning (Ezra 9:3, Nehemiah 13:25) and in descriptions of temple craftsmanship (1 Kings 7:45). The prophets employ it powerfully: Isaiah 50:6 uses it for the Servant's mistreatment ('I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pluck [מָרַט] the beard'), and Ezekiel 21:9-10 uses it metaphorically for sharpening a sword of judgment.
Etymology
As a primitive root, מָרַט is not derived from another Hebrew word. Its core meaning relates to the action of scraping, rubbing, or making bare. Cognates in other Semitic languages support senses of 'polishing' and 'making smooth.' The semantic range developed from the physical act of polishing to include the removal of hair (making the skin smooth/bare) and the figurative sharpening of a blade.
Semantic Range
מָרַט is theologically significant as it vividly portrays human vulnerability, grief, and divine judgment. Its use in Isaiah 50:6 graphically depicts the suffering and humiliation willingly endured by the Servant of the Lord, enriching our understanding of substitutionary atonement. In Ezekiel, its use for sword-sharpening (Ezekiel 21:9-10) powerfully symbolizes God's prepared and polished instrument of judgment. Understanding this word deepens appreciation for the physical reality behind metaphors of mourning, violence, and purification.
In ancient Israelite culture, the deliberate plucking of hair (especially from the head or beard) was a profound, public sign of mourning, distress, or repentance (as seen in Ezra and Nehemiah). Such an act disfigured a person's appearance, which was closely tied to honor and social standing. The 'polishing' of bronze for the temple (1 Kings 7:45) reflected the high value placed on craftsmanship dedicated to God's dwelling place. The violent 'galling' of the shoulder (Isaiah 50:6) illustrates the brutality of corporal punishment.
גָּלַח (gālach, H1548) — specifically to shave or shear, often in a ritual context; קָרַח (qārach, H7139) — to make bald, often the head; לָטַשׁ (lāṭash, H3913) — to sharpen or hammer, a closer synonym for the 'sharpening' sense.
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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