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מָרֵא

𐤌𐤓𐤀

mârêʼ

H4756 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מרא to be lord, to rule, to have authority

Definition

Term of address or description for a person in authority, a master, lord, superior, or owner. Used to denote one with power, control, or rulership over others, whether in domestic, political, or social contexts. In some cases, used in reference to deity as 'Lord.' The usage can be a title of respect or formal submission.

Semantic Range

master, lord, superior, owner, sovereign, ruler, person of high rank or authority, title of address for a superior, (the) Lord in reference to deity

Root / Etymology

Aramaic form, from the root מרא, which corresponds to the Hebrew root מָרָא meaning 'to be lord, master,' and implies authority or ownership. While the root conveys the concept of authority or rule, the particular Aramaic noun מָרֵא refers specifically to a person with such status. The derivation is straightforward and typical of Semitic noun formation from verbal roots indicating state, profession, or title.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Aramaic (found in Daniel and Ezra), מָרֵא functions analogously to the Hebrew אָדוֹן and refers to a variety of authorities—sometimes human (such as kings or masters) and at other times divine. Its use as 'Lord' for deity appears especially in later books (e.g., Daniel), reflecting Aramaic influence on Hebrew religious vocabulary. In earlier periods and more common Hebrew contexts, אָדוֹן is used instead. The English 'Lord' sometimes narrows the meaning, especially when capitalized, whereas the Aramaic term was employed more broadly for both secular and sacred referents. The term does not carry the specifically religious connotations associated with later English religious tradition. It is important to note that in texts set in the later Persian and Hellenistic periods, מָרֵא is more likely encountered, demonstrating both linguistic and sociopolitical shifts affecting vocabulary.

Translation Consistency

primary "lord" 4 occurrences

“Lord” best captures the typical usage of מָרֵא as a title of authority, ruler, or person of high rank and is the most frequent rendering in the P2 set. It also naturally covers the deity-reference sense (“the Lord”) while remaining a straightforward, idiomatic English term for one who has power or control. “Master” is narrower (domestic/ownership) and less frequent here.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"master of" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to מָרָא in the sense of domineering; a master; lord, Lord.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מרא (m-r-ʾ) — to be lord, to rule, to have authority

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4471 מַמְרֵא Mamre
H4806 מְרִיא fattened oxen of
H4810 מְרִי בַעַל and stall-fed ox

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4756-03 מרא/י mry ANcmsc/Sp1cs lord-my my lord my lord 2
H4756-02 מָרִ֕/י mari ANcmsc/Sp1cs lord-my my lord my lord 2
H4756-01 מָרֵֽא mare ANcmsc YHWH master of the master of 1
H4756-04 וּ/מָרֵ֥א umare AC/Ncmsc and Lord and master of and master of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4756-04 Daniel 2:47 וּ/מָרֵ֥א umare AC/Ncmsc and Lord and master of and master of
H4756-03 Daniel 4:16 מרא/י mry ANcmsc/Sp1cs my-lord my lord my lord
H4756-02 Daniel 4:16 מָרִ֕/י mari ANcmsc/Sp1cs my-lord my lord my lord
H4756-03 Daniel 4:21 מרא/י mry ANcmsc/Sp1cs lord-my my lord my lord
H4756-02 Daniel 4:21 מָרִ֥/י mari ANcmsc/Sp1cs lord-my my lord my lord
H4756-01 Daniel 5:23 מָרֵֽא mare ANcmsc YHWH master of the master of
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