מִרְזַח
𐤌𐤓𐤆𐤇
mirzach
H4797 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A place for revelry or feasting, often associated with loud celebration or merrymaking; more specifically, a banquet hall or venue where revels occur, sometimes with an undertone of tumultuous or excessive festivity. In context, particularly in Amos 6:7, the term refers to a setting of lavish banqueting characteristic of elite or decadent society, frequently contrasted with restraint or seriousness.
Semantic Range
banqueting-place, venue of revelry, boisterous celebration, festal gathering characterized by noise and excess
Root / Etymology
Derived from a possible root *רָזַח (razach), meaning 'to shout, cry out, or make noise,' though this root is not otherwise attested in Hebrew and remains uncertain. מִרְזַח (mirzach) is likely a denominative noun from this hypothesized root, indicating a place characterized by loud noise or revelry.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Appearing exclusively in Amos 6:7, מִרְזַח (mirzach) is used to denote festive banqueting typical of the Israelite elite in the Northern Kingdom during the monarchy. The root is unattested elsewhere, and the word conveys both the setting (banquet hall) and tone (boisterous revel). Its only biblical usage is in a context critiquing social excess and complacency: the prophecy foretells the exile of the ruling class who indulge in mirzach sessions. The word is distinct from other banquet-related terms such as מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, feast/drinking party), as מִרְזַח emphasizes not the food or drink but the noise and debauchery of the revel. English translations often render it as 'revelry,' 'banquet,' or 'feast,' but sometimes obscure the specific social setting and critical undertones of the passage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root meaning to scream; a cry, i.e. (of job), a revel; banquet.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
רזח (r-z-ḥ) — cry out, make noise, revel
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4798 | מַרְזֵחַ | mourning outcry |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4797-01 |
מִרְזַ֥ח | mirezach | HNcmsc |
banquet | revelry-hall of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4797-01 |
Amos 6:7 | מִרְזַ֥ח | mirezach | HNcmsc |
banquet | revelry-hall of |