מָהַר
𐤌𐤄𐤓
mâhar
H4117 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To hasten, act quickly or promptly. In some contexts, also: to arrange or provide something promptly, particularly referring to the provision of a bridal payment or dowry (mohar) in the context of betrothal or marriage contracts.
Semantic Range
to hasten, act promptly, make haste; to arrange a marriage contract, to pay the bridal gift or mohar, to provide swiftly in legal/marital contexts
Root / Etymology
The root מָהַר (m-h-r) means 'to hasten' or 'to act quickly.' The verb is related to the noun מֹהַר (mohar), meaning 'bride-price' or 'bridal payment,' as the transaction was customarily arranged or paid promptly at betrothal. The root sense of haste or promptness gave rise to meanings pertaining to swift action, and by extension, the specific cultural practice of paying the mohar.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Biblical Hebrew, מָהַר primarily means to hurry or make haste in general contexts (e.g., Genesis 18:6; Judges 13:10-11), without marital connotation. In a marital or legal context (Exodus 22:15-16), it refers specifically to the provision of the mohar—the bride-price or dowry—customary in Israelite betrothal. The noun mohar (H4119) is derived from the same root. Later translation traditions sometimes connect the verb with 'endowing' or 'paying a price' for marriage, but the concept revolves around the promptness of the action, not the act of bargaining or purchasing per se. The verb shifts from meaning general haste (earlier periods) to encompassing ritualized marital arrangements (in codified legal contexts). English translations that render the verb as 'endow' or 'wed' narrow its original semantic scope to specific cultural practices. The use of the word does not imply purchase of a wife in the sense of property, but rather a social contract with financial arrangements promptly fulfilled.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root (perhaps rather the same as מָהַר through the idea of readiness in assent); to bargain (for a wife), i.e. to wed; endow, [idiom] surely.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מהר (m-h-r) — haste, swiftness, prompt action
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4106 | מָהִיר | quick, ready |
| H4116 | מָהַר | as making haste |
| H4118 | מַהֵר | Hurry! |
| H4119 | מֹהַר | with bride-price |
| H4120 | מְהֵרָה | haste |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4117-01 |
מָהֹ֛ר | mahor | HVqa |
morning | to hasten | 1 |
H4117-02 |
יִמְהָרֶ֥/נָּה | yimeharenah | HVqi3ms/Sp3fs |
he-shall-endow-her | he will hasten for her | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4117-01 |
Exodus 22:15 | מָהֹ֛ר | mahor | HVqa |
morning | to hasten |
H4117-02 |
Exodus 22:15 | יִמְהָרֶ֥/נָּה | yimeharenah | HVqi3ms/Sp3fs |
he-shall-endow-her | he will hasten for her |