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מְרֵרָה

𐤌𐤓𐤓𐤄

mᵉrêrâh

H4845 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מרר to be bitter, to make bitter, to provoke bitterness

Definition

A bodily fluid, specifically bile, associated with bitterness in both literal and figurative uses; by extension used for 'gall.' In some contexts, a metaphor for intense inner bitterness or emotional distress, reflecting the physiological association of bile with sour or bitter feelings.

Semantic Range

bile, gall, a bitter bodily fluid; figuratively, deep inner bitterness, intense grief or distress

Root / Etymology

From the root מָרַר (marar), meaning 'to be bitter.' The noun מְרֵרָה derives from this root and refers to 'bile' or 'gall,' the bitter fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In ancient Israelite understanding, bodily fluids such as bile were associated not only with physical functions but also with emotional and spiritual conditions. מְרֵרָה appears in poetic and figurative contexts (e.g. Job 16:13, Lamentations 2:11) to express the depth of inner suffering or grief, utilizing the physiological imagery of 'bile' or 'gall' as embodying distress or bitterness. The word is rarely used for the anatomical organ itself, more often representing the bitter substance or metaphorically referring to emotional turmoil. Unlike related terms such as חֵמָה (ḥēmāh, 'wrath, venom'), מְרֵרָה emphasizes bitterness over burning anger. Later English translations sometimes use 'gall' or 'bile,' but may miss the underlying emotional connotation in Hebrew poetic usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from מָרַר; bile (from its bitterness); gall.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מרר (m-r-r) — to be bitter, to make bitter, to provoke bitterness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4472 מַמְרֹר bitternesses
H4751 מַר in bitterness
H4752 מַר like a drop
H4753 מֹר the myrrh resin
H4755 מָרָא Bitter-One

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4845-01 מְרֵרָֽתִ/י mererati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my gall my bile 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4845-01 Job 16:13 מְרֵרָֽתִ/י mererati HNcfsc/Sp1cs my gall my bile
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