Mara

Ma’ra. (sad, bitter). The name which Naomi adopted in the exclamation forced from her by the recognition of her fellow citizens at Bethlehem. Rth 1:20.

[Ma’ra]

An appellation which signifies ’bitter,’ assumed by Naomi because of her sorrow. Rth 1:20.

MARA.—The name which Naomi claimed for herself: ‘Call me not Naomi (‘pleasant’), call me Mara (i.e. ‘bitter’): for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me’ (Rth 1:20).

mā´ra, mâr´a (מרה, mārāh, “bitter”): The term which Naomi applies to herself on her return from Moab to her native country (Rth 1:20). Changed beyond recognition, she creates astonishment among her former acquaintances, who ask, “Is this Naomi?” She replies, “Call me not Naomi” (i.e. “pleasant” or “sweet”), but “call me Mara” (i.e. “bitter”). In the light of her bitter experience, and her present pitiable plight, the old name has become peculiarly inappropriate.