בַּ/מַּרְצֵ֔עַ

𐤁/𐤌𐤓𐤑𐤏

martsêaʻ

with the awl

A pointed tool or spike, primarily used for piercing, specifically referenced in the context of the ritual act of boring through an ear as a sign of servitude. The term refers explicitly to an awl, but also encompasses similar pointed piercing implements.

H4836

Exodus 21:6 · Word #15

Lexicon H4836

Lemmaמַרְצֵעַ
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤓𐤑𐤏
Transliterationmartsêaʻ
Strong'sH4836
DefinitionA pointed tool or spike, primarily used for piercing, specifically referenced in the context of the ritual act of boring through an ear as a sign of servitude. The term refers explicitly to an awl, but also encompasses similar pointed piercing implements.

Morphology HRd/Ncmsa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number s — Singular — Singular
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

Common Translation

Phrasewith the awl

SIBI-P1 Translation H4836-01

with the piercing-awl

Morphological NotesPreposition ב + definite article + masculine singular common noun, absolute state.
Rendering RationaleThe noun מַרְצֵעַ is a masculine singular instrument noun derived from רצע, meaning "to pierce." The prefixed בַּ marks "with the," and "piercing-awl" preserves both the instrumental sense and the root’s core action of boring through.

View full lexicon entry for H4836 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

with the awl

Same as P1No — adjusted for context
Rationale'With the piercing-awl' over-specifies; 'with the awl' matches both SILEX and the typical description of the ritual implement without unnecessary descriptive detail.