מָחָה
Properly, to stroke or rub ; by implication, to erase ; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat ; also to touch , i.e. reach to
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does מָחָה (māḥāh) mean in the Bible?
מָחָה (māḥāh) is a Hebrew word meaning "properly, to stroke or rub ; by implication, to erase ; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat ; also to touch , i.e. reach to". properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i. Expresses the decisive removal of guilt by divine action.
Meaning
To erase or blot out; metaphorically extends to annihilation or complete removal, especially of sin or memory
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e. grease or make fat; also to touch, i.e. reach to BDB: full of marrow Usage: abolish, blot out, destroy, full of marrow, put out, reach unto, × utterly, wipe (away, out).
Why This Word Matters
Expresses the decisive removal of guilt by divine action. Isaiah 43:22-28
Conveys the complete removal of guilt by divine action. Isaiah 44:21-23
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 7×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 11×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 2×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 1×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 36 occurrences in the biblical text.