מֹחַ
fat, i.e. marrow
Definition
The Hebrew noun מֹחַ (môach) refers specifically to the marrow, the soft, fatty tissue found inside bones. In the biblical context, it is used metaphorically to represent the innermost, vital, and nourishing part of something. Its single biblical occurrence in Job 21:24 uses it as a symbol of robust health and prosperity, describing a person whose body is 'full of marrow' (or 'moist with marrow'), indicating a state of physical vigor and well-being. The word does not appear to have a separate meaning from this core sense of rich, internal fat.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in the book of Job. In Job 21:24, it appears in a description of the seemingly prosperous wicked: 'His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moist.' Here, 'marrow' is a poetic image for abundant health and physical vitality, contrasting with the suffering and wasting described elsewhere in the book. Its usage is entirely metaphorical within this wisdom literature context.
Etymology
The noun מֹחַ (môach) is derived from the same root as the related word מֵחַ (mêach, H4220), which also means 'marrow' or 'fat.' Both words share a common Semitic root conveying the concept of fat, grease, or the richest part. This etymological connection emphasizes the idea of something rich, oily, and internal, which developed into the specific anatomical reference for bone marrow.
Semantic Range
While used only once, מֹחַ contributes to the theological exploration of suffering and prosperity in the book of Job. It serves as a tangible symbol of the blessings and physical health that the friends of Job wrongly assume are always a sign of divine favor for the righteous. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job 21:24 by highlighting the stark, almost visceral contrast between the picture of a person 'full of marrow' and Job's own afflicted state, deepening the book's central questions about God's justice.
In ancient Israelite culture, fat and marrow were highly valued as the richest and most nourishing parts of an animal. Marrow was seen as the essence of strength and vitality stored within the bones. This cultural view makes its use in Job 21:24 a powerful metaphor for peak physical condition and prosperity, a concept readily understood by the original audience.
מֵחַ (mêach, H4220) — A virtually identical term for marrow or fat, used in parallel poetic constructions. חֵלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — The general term for fat, especially the suet or rich fat of sacrifices, whereas מֹחַ is specifically the marrow inside bones.
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.
Full methodology & sources →