Meaning
Marah is a place-name associated with bitterness. In Exodus, the name is connected with the bitter water found there.
Biblical Usage
After travelling three days in the wilderness of Shur without finding water, the Israelites came to Marah. They could not drink the water because it was bitter (Exodus 15:22-23).
Moses cried unto the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When Moses cast it into the water, the water became sweet (Exodus 15:25). Marah is also listed as a stopping place in the record of Israel’s wilderness journey (Numbers 33:8-9).
In Ruth 1:20, Naomi uses the related name Mara when speaking of her bitterness.
Key References
- Exodus 15:23 — The name Marah is connected with the bitter water.
- Exodus 15:25 — The waters are made sweet after Moses casts in the tree shown to him by the LORD.
- Numbers 33:8-9 — Marah is recorded as a stopping place on Israel’s journey.
- Ruth 1:20 — Naomi says, “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara.”
Related Terms
- Etham — A place named in the account of Israel’s wilderness journey.
- Elim — The next stopping place recorded after Marah.
- Wilderness — An uncultivated or sparsely inhabited region.
- Bitter Herbs — Herbs described in the instructions for the Passover meal.