מָרוֹת
𐤌𐤓𐤅𐤕
Marot
H4796 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper place name in the Hebrew Bible, likely meaning 'bitter springs' or 'place of bitterness.' The term occurs as a plural form, indicating either a location named after multiple springs characterized by bitterness (in taste or quality), or a place metaphorically associated with bitterness or distress. Its use as a toponym suggests a focus on either physical characteristics, such as water quality, or symbolic association with difficult circumstances.
Semantic Range
bitter springs, springs of bitterness, place of bitterness, Maroth (a geographic place name), locality associated with hardship or distress
Root / Etymology
From the root מר (m-r), 'to be bitter,' with מָרוֹת (marot) as a plural form of מַר (mar, 'bitter'), here likely denoting springs or waters characterized by bitterness. As a place name, it is descriptive of a physical feature or a metaphorical quality.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Maroth is referenced in Micah 1:12 as a geographic location awaiting good but experiencing disaster, reflecting the metaphorical potential of the name as well as any literal sense. The name's form—feminine plural—may indicate either 'bitter (waters/springs)' as a factual topographic feature (see parallels such as 'Marah' in Exodus 15:23), or may function as a collective term for a region with several such features. While historically translated as 'Maroth, a place in Palestine,' the precise identification of Maroth is uncertain, and no known archaeological site has been definitively associated with it. English translations simply transliterate the name and do not attempt to render its literal sense, leaving readers unaware of the underlying meaning. Unlike 'Marah' in Exodus, which refers to a single bitter spring, Maroth's plural points to multiple features or a region.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of מַר feminine; bitter springs; Maroth, a place in Palestine; Maroth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מר (m-r) — to be bitter, become bitter, provoke bitterness
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4850 | מְרָתַיִם | Double Bitterness |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4796-01 |
מָר֑וֹת | marot | HNp |
of Maroth | Bitter Springs | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4796-01 |
Micah 1:12 | מָר֑וֹת | marot | HNp |
of Maroth | Bitter Springs |