"And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter... And the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Marah Meaning in the Bible
Marah
girl
Marah means "Bitter", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Marah appears in the King James Bible, and Exodus 15:23-25 is the passage most often tied to it. Marah is redemptive — the same God who allows bitter seasons provides the tree that makes the waters sweet again.
Is Marah in the Bible?
Yes — Marah (spelled Mara in the King James Bible) appears in the King James Bible, including Exodus 15:23-25.
Pronunciation:/MAR-uh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningBitter
What does Marah mean?
Marah is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Bitter". Marah was the place where Israel found only bitter water after three days in the wilderness. God showed Moses a tree that, when cast into the water, made it sweet. Naomi also chose this name in her grief.
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What does Marah mean in the Bible?
Marah means "Bitter" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Marah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Marah is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Exodus 15:23-25. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Marah?
Marah has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Marah?
Marah is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Marah?
Marah is redemptive — the same God who allows bitter seasons provides the tree that makes the waters sweet again.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Marah:
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Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Miracle
The Bitter Waters of Marah Sweetened
Moses casts a tree into the bitter waters of Marah and they are made sweet for I
Location
Marah in the Bible
The wilderness stop where bitter water was made sweet — Israel's first test afte
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Verses About
Bible Verses About Bitterness
10 curated KJV verses
Devotional
Hebrews 11:1 — Meaning & Devotional
Faith
Devotional
Romans 12:2 — Meaning & Devotional
Transformation
What names are related to Marah?
Names like Marah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Bitter" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Marah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Marah
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Marah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Marah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Marah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Marah?
You can read every verse where Marah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.