מָאוֹס
𐤌𐤀𐤅𐤎
mâʼôwç
H3973 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
That which is rejected, considered worthless, or cast aside; specifically, waste material, dross, or something viewed as detestable and of no further use. The term often conveys strong connotations of disdain and is used for physical refuse or for people regarded as outcasts in metaphorical language.
Semantic Range
refuse, waste material, dross, that which is abhorred, something cast aside, metaphorical outcast
Root / Etymology
From the root מָאַס (mʾs), meaning 'to reject' or 'to despise.' The noun form מָאוֹס takes the abstract sense of 'that which is rejected,' becoming a concrete noun for refuse or rejected matter. The semantic movement is from the action of despising/rejecting to the state/result of that action (the thing rejected).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, מָאוֹס is relatively rare and most often appears in wisdom literature or poetry, denoting objects, materials, or persons considered to be abhorred or unfit. The word is formed as an abstract noun but is often concretized in context, paralleling other Hebrew terms for refuse such as פֶּסֶל (pesel, 'carved image' often as an object of disdain) or סְלָעִים (səlaʽim, 'filth, refuse'). English translations usually opt for 'refuse,' 'waste,' or 'dross,' but these do not fully capture the connotations of contempt and purposeful rejection found in the Hebrew text. The term encapsulates both physical waste and the broader cultural or social idea of something or someone being cast off as undesired. Its use is not limited to material refuse and can be applied metaphorically to people or ideas, especially in prophetic or wisdom settings, underscoring feelings of abhorrence or disposability. There is no evidence that the later English term 'Jew' is relevant to this root or its usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָאַס; refuse; refuse.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מאַס (m-ʾ-s) — reject, despise, spurn
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3973-01 |
וּ/מָא֛וֹס | umaos | HC/Ncmsa |
and refuse | rejected refuse | and rejected refuse | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3973-01 |
Lamentations 3:45 | וּ/מָא֛וֹס | umaos | HC/Ncmsa |
and refuse | rejected refuse | and rejected refuse |