Hebrew · H4116, G5030 · unreviewed

מַהֵר

Properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly · soon

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

מָהַר H4116 properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a bad sense); often used (with another verb) adverbially, promptly
Pronunciation māhar
Metaphorically flows from physical liquidity to urgency; means both eager promptness and reckless haste.
Open lexicon entry →
ταχέως G5030 soon
Pronunciation tachéōs
Open lexicon entry →

What does מַהֵר (maher) mean in the Bible?

מָהַר · ταχέως is a Hebrew word meaning "to act quickly or impulsively".

Full entry for מַהֵר (H4116, G5030) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to act quickly or impulsively
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 26×
Sequential imperfect 1Sam 9:12 · 2Chr 18:8 · Esth 6:10 · Gen 19:22 · 2Sam 15:14 · Esth 5:5 · Gen 45:9 · Judg 9:48 · Gen 18:6
Perfect 2Chr 24:5 · Isa 49:17 · Ps 106:13 · 1Sam 4:14 · Isa 51:14 · 1Sam 25:34 · Exod 2:18 · Gen 27:20 · Jer 48:16
Imperfect 2Sam 15:14 · Isa 5:19 · 2Chr 24:5 · Isa 32:4 · Nah 2:6
Participle active Mal 3:5 · Prov 6:18
Jussive Eccl 5:1
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action
Participle active Isa 32:4
Perfect Job 5:13
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense
Perfect Ps 16:4
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 29 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Perfect 11 Imperative 9 Imperfect 6 Participle 3
Stem
Piel 26 Niphal 2 Qal 1
Mood
Indicative 11 Imperative 9 Indicative/jussive 5 Jussive 1

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Sources