מֹרָה
bitterness, i.e. (figuratively) trouble
Definition
The Hebrew noun מֹרָה (môrâh) literally means 'bitterness' but is used figuratively to describe deep emotional distress, grief, or trouble. It denotes a state of profound sorrow or vexation, often stemming from interpersonal conflict or difficult circumstances. Its sole biblical occurrence is in Genesis 26:35, where it describes the grief Rebekah and Isaac experienced due to their son Esau's choice of Hittite wives. This usage shows the word moving beyond a physical taste to represent a relational and emotional bitterness that brings trouble to a family.
Biblical Usage
מֹרָה is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 26:35. It appears in a narrative context describing family strife. The word is employed to summarize the emotional impact of Esau's actions, characterizing his marriages as a source of ongoing bitterness and grief for his parents. This singular usage shows the word functioning as a compact description of deep, relational trouble.
Etymology
מֹרָה (môrâh) is a feminine noun derived from the root מרר (m-r-r, H4843), which means 'to be bitter.' This root is the source for several Hebrew words related to bitterness, such as מַר (mar, H4751) meaning 'bitter' and מְרִירוּת (mĕrîyrûth, H4787) meaning 'bitterness.' The development from the physical sensation of bitterness to an emotional state is common in biblical Hebrew, seen also in the story of Naomi in Ruth 1:20, where she asks to be called מָרָא (Mara), meaning 'bitter.'
Semantic Range
Though used only once, מֹרָה contributes to the Bible's thematic exploration of the consequences of disobedience and unwise choices. Esau's actions, which 'were a grief of mind' (KJV) to his parents, reflect the broader biblical principle that personal decisions can cause deep spiritual and relational bitterness for others. It underscores the theme that sin and covenant unfaithfulness (marrying outside the covenant community) produce not just personal consequences but familial grief, connecting to the importance of godly wisdom in relationships.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, marriage was a crucial familial and covenant act, not merely a personal choice. Esau taking Hittite wives was a direct rejection of his family's covenant identity with Yahweh and an embrace of the surrounding Canaanite culture. The 'bitterness' (מֹרָה) this caused Isaac and Rebekah was therefore a profound cultural and religious grief, threatening the family lineage and their distinct calling as the bearers of God's promise. The emotional distress carried significant social and spiritual weight.
מַר (mar, H4751) — A more common adjective for 'bitter,' often describing literal taste (Exodus 15:23) or figurative distress. מֹרָה is a specific noun form for the resulting state of grief. מְרִירוּת (mĕrîyrûth, H4787) — Another noun for 'bitterness,' used in Job 13:26 to describe the bitter suffering of life.
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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