4839. maraq
Lexical Summary
maraq: To polish, scour, or rinse

Original Word: מָרָק
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: maraq
Pronunciation: maw-rahk'
Phonetic Spelling: (maw-rawk')
KJV: broth See also H6564
NASB: broth
Word Origin: [from H4838 (מָרַק - polish)]

1. soup (as if a rinsing)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
broth

From maraq; soup (as if a rinsing) -- broth. See also paraq.

see HEBREW maraq

see HEBREW paraq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
juice (stewed out of meat), broth
NASB Translation
broth (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מָרָק (van d. H מָרַק) noun masculine juice stewed out of meat, or broth (on form compare LagBN 50); — וְהַמָּרָק שָׂם בַּמָּרוּר Judges 6:19 (see GFM); וְאֶתהַֿמָּרָק שְׁפוֺךְ Judges 6:20; construct מְרַק Isaiah 65:4 Qr, so Vrss (Kt פרק) broth of unclean things.

[מֶרְקָח], מֶרְקָחָה, מִרְקַ֫תַת see רקח.

Topical Lexicon
Summary of Scriptural Occurrences

The term appears twice, both in the narrative of Gideon’s call (Judges 6:19–20). Gideon prepares a young goat “and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket, and the broth in a pot” (Judges 6:19). At the angel’s command he pours out the broth upon the rock, after which fire consumes the entire offering.

Cultural and Culinary Setting

In the ancient Near East, meat was precious; boiling it in seasoned liquid produced a nourishing broth that maximized every part of the animal. Broth served both as sustenance and as a medium for hospitality. Its mention signals a complete, well-supplied meal, not a token gift. Gideon’s use of an entire young goat and a substantial measure of flour during time of Midianite oppression underscores the costly nature of his offering.

Liturgical and Sacrificial Nuances

Although Gideon is not in Jerusalem and no priest is present, the angel directs a ritual with parallels to later sacrificial law:
• The elements of meat, grain, and liquid evoke the burnt, grain, and drink offerings (Leviticus 1; 2; Numbers 15:1-10).
• Pouring the broth anticipates libation imagery; the rock functions as an altar and the fire of God affirms divine acceptance (cf. Leviticus 9:24; 1 Kings 18:38).

Marak therefore highlights that true worship hinges on obedience to divine instruction rather than location or human mediation.

Theological Themes

1. Divine condescension. The angel does not despise Gideon’s rustic fare; everyday provisions become acceptable when offered in faith (Romans 12:1).
2. Total consecration. Broth is poured out; nothing is retained. Likewise, Gideon must soon demolish his father’s altar and risk everything for the Lord (Judges 6:25-27).
3. Foreshadowing substitution. Fire consumes the offering, sparing Gideon and pointing forward to the final sacrifice that would bear sin in the place of the people (Hebrews 10:12-14).

Historical Significance

The era of the Judges was marked by spiritual vacillation. Within that instability, the brief notice of broth illuminates how even simple households preserved vestiges of sacrificial consciousness. It also illustrates the transition from ad-hoc patriarchal worship toward the centralized priestly system that would culminate under David and Solomon.

Ministry and Discipleship Applications

• Costly worship: Leaders should model generosity even in scarcity, trusting God’s provision.
• Attention to detail: Specific instructions regarding the broth remind believers that obedience in “small” matters often precedes larger assignments (Luke 16:10).
• Hospitality as mission: Gideon’s meal becomes the stage for divine revelation, encouraging churches to treat the dinner table as potential holy ground (Hebrews 13:2).

Typological and Christological Reflection

The poured-out broth can serve as a faint shadow of Christ, who “poured out His life unto death” (Isaiah 53:12). Fire consuming the offering prefigures judgment borne by a substitute, while the rock evokes the Messiah as the foundation (1 Corinthians 10:4). Thus, marak, though minor in frequency, participates in the broader canonical witness to redemption.

Forms and Transliterations
הַמָּרַ֖ק המרק וְהַמָּרַ֖ק והמרק ham·mā·raq hammaRak hammāraq vehammaRak wə·ham·mā·raq wəhammāraq
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 6:19
HEB: שָׂ֣ם בַּסַּ֔ל וְהַמָּרַ֖ק שָׂ֣ם בַּפָּר֑וּר
NAS: in a basket and the broth in a pot,
KJV: and he put the broth in a pot,
INT: put A basket and the broth put A pot

Judges 6:20
HEB: הַלָּ֔ז וְאֶת־ הַמָּרַ֖ק שְׁפ֑וֹךְ וַיַּ֖עַשׂ
NAS: and pour out the broth. And he did
KJV: and pour out the broth. And he did
INT: rock this the broth and pour did

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4839
2 Occurrences


ham·mā·raq — 1 Occ.
wə·ham·mā·raq — 1 Occ.

4838
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