מְרֹר
𐤌𐤓𐤓
mᵉrôr
H4844 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An herb or collection of plants characterized by a bitter taste, particularly those eaten during the ritual Passover meal as a symbol of affliction. The term designates both the literal plant material and, by extension, the quality of bitterness, especially as a sensory or symbolic experience.
Semantic Range
bitter herb, bitter taste, bitterness (as a plant attribute or symbolic experience); plant(s) with a bitter flavor used in ritual contexts
Root / Etymology
From the root מָרַר (marar), 'to be bitter.' מְרֹר (mᵉrôr) is a masculine noun formed from this root, denoting something possessing the attribute of bitterness—specifically, a bitter herb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מְרֹר appears primarily in ritual contexts, especially the instructions for the Passover meal (Exodus 12:8; Numbers 9:11), where Israelites are commanded to eat the Passover sacrifice 'with unleavened bread and bitter herbs' (עַל־מְרֹרִֽים). The word refers generically to bitter-tasting plants but does not designate a particular species; proposals range from chicory to endive or lettuce, among others. The term's connection with sensory bitterness links it to the broader symbolism of affliction and harsh experience, consistent with the root sense of hardship or bitterness (מָרַר). While later Jewish tradition associates 'bitter herbs' specifically with the Passover ritual and selects particular species for use, in the biblical period the term likely referenced any locally available plant with a bitter flavor. English translations ('bitter herbs') are appropriate but may mask the reality that the precise botanical identity was unimportant to the rite. The term מְרֹר is distinct from other Hebrew words for 'herb' or 'plant' by emphasizing the sensory and symbolic quality of bitterness rather than botanical classification. In later periods, the association of bitter herbs with the commemoration of suffering in Egypt became more standardized, but the biblical usage remains largely descriptive rather than prescriptive regarding species.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מְרוֹר; from מָרַר; a bitter herb; bitter(-ness).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מרר (m-r-r) — to be bitter, to become 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
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4844-01 |
מְרֹרִ֖ים | merorim | HNcmpa |
bitter herbs | bitter herbs | 1 |
H4844-02 |
וּ/מְרֹרִ֖ים | umerorim | HC/Ncmpa |
and bitter herbs | and bitter herbs | 1 |
H4844-03 |
בַ/מְּרוֹרִ֖ים | vamerorim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with bitterness | with the bitter herbs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4844-01 |
Exodus 12:8 | מְרֹרִ֖ים | merorim | HNcmpa |
bitter herbs | bitter herbs |
H4844-02 |
Numbers 9:11 | וּ/מְרֹרִ֖ים | umerorim | HC/Ncmpa |
and bitter herbs | and bitter herbs |
H4844-03 |
Lamentations 3:15 | בַ/מְּרוֹרִ֖ים | vamerorim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with bitterness | with the bitter herbs |