Lexical Summary maraq: To polish, scour, or rinse Original Word: מָרָק 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 Originfrom 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: 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). 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. 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 wəhammāraqLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 2 Occurrences |
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