מְרַט
to pull off
Definition
The Hebrew verb מְרַט (mᵉraṭ) means 'to pull off' or 'to pluck out.' It specifically describes the forceful removal of something, such as hair or feathers, from a body. In its sole biblical occurrence in Daniel 7:4, it is used in a prophetic vision to describe the plucking of feathers from a lion-like beast, symbolizing a loss of power or dignity. As an Aramaic word used in the Hebrew Bible, its meaning aligns closely with its Hebrew counterpart.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in the Aramaic portion of the book of Daniel. It appears in Daniel 7:4 within the context of a symbolic vision. The usage describes the transformation of a beast, where its wings are 'plucked' off, indicating a sudden and violent deprivation of its ability to soar or rule.
Etymology
מְרַט (mᵉraṭ) is an Aramaic verb that corresponds directly to the Hebrew verb מָרַט (māraṭ, H4803), which also means 'to pull off' or 'to pluck.' Both share a common Semitic root conveying the action of tearing or stripping away. Its appearance in Daniel reflects the bilingual nature of the book, which contains sections written in Aramaic.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word carries significant theological weight in its context. In Daniel's vision (Daniel 7:4), the plucking of the beast's wings is a divine act, symbolizing God's sovereign control over kingdoms and empires. It illustrates the theme that human power is temporary and subject to God's judgment, enriching the reader's understanding of prophetic symbolism and God's ultimate authority in history.
In the ancient Near East, the plucking of feathers or hair could be a symbol of humiliation, defeat, or cleansing. For a bird or winged creature, losing its wings meant a complete loss of its defining attribute—flight and dominance. Daniel's original audience would have understood this vivid imagery as depicting the downfall and degradation of a ruling power.
מָרַט (māraṭ, H4803) — The direct Hebrew equivalent, also meaning 'to pull off' or 'pluck.' תָּלַשׁ (tālaš, H5428) — To pluck or draw out, often used for pulling up tent pegs or plants. קָטַף (qāṭap̄, H6998) — To pluck or gather, typically used for fruit or leaves.
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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