מוֹתָר
literally gain; figuratively, superiority
Definition
The Hebrew noun מוֹתָר (môwthâr) carries the core idea of 'that which remains' or 'abundance.' Literally, it refers to gain or profit from labor, as seen in Proverbs 14:23, where 'all labor produces profit.' Figuratively, it extends to mean superiority, preeminence, or an advantage. In Proverbs 21:5, diligent planning leads to 'plenteousness' or sure advantage, while in Ecclesiastes 3:19, it highlights a grim 'advantage' humans have over animals in the context of mortality—ultimately concluding there is none, emphasizing life's vanity.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, exclusively in the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs and Ecclesiastes). It is used to contrast outcomes: the tangible profit from diligent work (Proverbs 14:23), the strategic advantage from careful planning (Proverbs 21:5), and the philosophical comparison of human and animal mortality (Ecclesiastes 3:19). Its usage consistently involves evaluating the result or surplus of an action or condition.
Etymology
Derived from the root יָתַר (yāṯar, H3498), meaning 'to remain over, to excel, or to leave a remnant.' מוֹתָר is a noun form indicating 'that which remains'—be it material surplus, superior quality, or an abstract advantage. This connection to 'remnant' or 'excess' underpins its meanings of gain and preeminence.
Semantic Range
Though not a central theological term, מוֹתָר enriches the biblical theme of wisdom's practical and existential outcomes. In Proverbs, it affirms God's design where diligence yields blessing. In Ecclesiastes, its use in questioning humanity's 'advantage' confronts readers with the limits of human achievement apart from God, pointing to the need for a perspective grounded in divine sovereignty and meaning.
In an ancient agrarian and trade-based society, the concept of 'gain' or 'surplus' was directly tied to survival and social standing. A 'profit' meant security and provision, while 'superiority' could relate to social or strategic advantage. The word's use in Wisdom Literature reflects a culture that valued practical outcomes and pondered life's comparative worth.
יִתְרוֹן (yithrôn, H3504) — Similar meaning of 'advantage' or 'profit,' used more frequently in Ecclesiastes (e.g., Ecclesiastes 1:3). רֶוַח (rewaḥ, H7305) — Broad term for 'space, relief, or gain,' often in contexts of deliverance or ease (e.g., Proverbs 14:23 LXX parallels).
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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