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Marah

Historical Location
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A desert station where the Israelites found bitter water, later made sweet by Moses

Detailed Definition
Marah (“bitterness”) is where God tested Israel’s faith by providing undrinkable water, which Moses sweetened with a tree (Exodus 15:23–25). It symbolizes trial, transformation, and divine provision. Poets use Marah to depict life’s bitterness made bearable through faith or grace—often as a metaphor for healing through obedience.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Exodus 15, Marah’s bitter waters are sweetened by Moses, a poetic moment of testing; Modern wilderness poetry uses Marah to symbolize life’s bitterness transformed by faith; In African American spirituals, Marah represents trials overcome through divine help; Liturgical verse references Marah in laments over suffering and hope for healing; Contemporary eco-poetry uses Marah to reflect on water justice and purification.
Additional Notes
Marah (“bitter”) is where Israel’s waters were sweetened (Exodus 15:23–25). In poetry, it symbolizes life’s bitterness transformed by faith. African American spirituals use it as a metaphor for trials overcome. Students should contrast it with Elim and note its use in liturgical laments and healing narratives.
Also Known As
Waters of Marah Bitter Spring Trial of Faith Desert Testing Bitter Waters
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