מִרְשַׁעַת

a female wicked doer

Definition

The Hebrew noun מִרְשַׁעַת (mirshaʻath) specifically denotes a female wicked doer, a woman characterized by moral evil, injustice, or active wrongdoing. It is the feminine form derived from the root רָשַׁע (rāshaʻ), which broadly means 'to be wicked' or 'to act wickedly.' This term emphasizes the personal agency and moral culpability of the woman in question, describing her not merely as unfortunate but as actively engaged in evil conduct. Its sole biblical occurrence in 2 Chronicles 24:7 refers to Athaliah, the queen who usurped the throne and destroyed the royal family, perfectly illustrating the term's sense of a woman committing grievous, destructive acts.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 24:7. It is applied in a historical narrative context to Queen Athaliah, who is labeled 'that wicked woman' after her murderous coup against the royal line of Judah. The usage is highly specific and descriptive, serving as a stark moral indictment of her character and actions within the chronicler's theological history of Judah's kings.

Etymology

מִרְשַׁעַת is a feminine noun derived from the root רָשַׁע (rāshaʻ, H7561), meaning 'to be wicked, to act wickedly.' The root conveys the idea of disturbance, wrongness, or violation of a standard. The noun form with the מִ- prefix typically indicates one who performs the action of the root. Thus, מִרְשַׁעַת literally means 'a female doer of wickedness,' directly linking her identity to her evil actions.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the biblical understanding that wickedness is not an abstract force but a personal moral choice, applicable to both men and women. Its application to Athaliah underscores the severe consequences of covenant-breaking leadership and the corruption of God's ordained order, particularly in the line of David. Understanding this specific Hebrew term enriches the reading of 2 Chronicles by emphasizing the gravity of her sin—it was not just political ambition but active, culpable evil that threatened God's promises.

In its ancient Near Eastern context, labeling a queen or royal woman as a 'wicked woman' was a powerful polemic. It served to delegitimize her rule entirely, framing her actions not just as a political threat but as a fundamental violation of social and religious order. This stands in contrast to modern, more secular assessments of historical figures, which might separate political maneuvering from moral or religious condemnation.

רָשָׁע (rāshāʻ, H7563) — the common masculine form for a wicked person. אִשָּׁה זוֹנָה (ʼishshāh zônāh, H802 H2181) — 'harlot' or 'adulterous woman'; focuses on sexual immorality or idolatry, not the broad moral evil of מִרְשַׁעַת.

Word Details

Scripture References