Lexical Summary
mezareh: Winnowing fork, scatterer
Original Word:מְזָרֶה
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:mzareh
Pronunciation:meh-zah-reh
Phonetic Spelling:(mez-aw-reh')
KJV: north
Word Origin:[apparently fromH2219 (זָרָה - scatter)]
1. (properly) a scatterer, i.e. the north wind (as dispersing clouds
2. only in plural)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
north
Apparently fromzarah; properly, a scatterer, i.e. The north wind (as dispersing clouds; only in plural) -- north.
see HEBREWzarah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originthe same as
zarah, q.v.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewמְזָרֶה (mezareh) appears once in the Hebrew canon,Job 37:9, where it is rendered “north winds” or “driving winds”. Although lexically related to the idea of scattering, its single biblical use is meteorological, describing the cold carried by a powerful northerly wind.
Biblical Context:Job 37:9
“ ‘The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds.’ ”
In Elihu’s discourse (Job 36–37) the verse stands within a larger argument that God’s governance of creation is manifest in weather phenomena. The chilling force of the mezareh underscores divine sovereignty; the same God who summons storms also ordains their limits (Job 37:10–13).
Ancient Near-Eastern Perspective on Winds
1. Cardinal winds were personified powers in surrounding cultures, yet Scripture consistently demythologizes them, presenting wind as a servant of Yahweh (Psalm 148:8).
2. The north wind, arriving over snow-covered Lebanon and Hermon, was naturally associated with cold fronts in Israel’s climate cycle. Farmers, shepherds, and travelers recognized its seasonal significance, linking mezareh to everyday life.
Theological Themes
• Sovereign Control: Mezareh illustrates that even chaotic elements obey their Creator (Job 37:12).
• Judgment and Mercy: A scattering wind can both cleanse (Isaiah 41:16) and chastise (Jeremiah 4:11–12). Elihu calls listeners to “stand still and consider the wonders of God” (Job 37:14), moving from meteorology to worship.
• Revelation in Creation: Natural order testifies to divine wisdom (Job 38:22–30). Mezareh becomes part of the general revelation that holds humanity accountable (Romans 1:20).
Related Imagery in Scripture
Proverbs 25:23 links the north wind with driving rain, showing its force.Song of Solomon 4:16 pairs north and south winds in a poetic invocation, illustrating their complementary roles in nurturing a garden—imagery that echoes spiritual growth through both discipline and refreshment.
Ministry and Devotional Applications
1. Awe and Humility: TeachingJob 37 invites believers to acknowledge limitations and trust the God who commands mezareh.
2. Illustrations for Preaching: The chilling north wind can parallel trials that test faith, reminding congregations that hardships are under divine supervision (James 1:2–4).
3. Worship Planning: Hymns that celebrate creation’s obedience (“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”) naturally complement a reading ofJob 37:9–14.
Historical Significance in Interpretation
Jewish commentators such as Rashi noted the practical meteorology, while early Christian exegetes (e.g., Gregory the Great) stressed moral symbolism—mezareh as the searching breath that exposes hidden sins. Reformation preachers returned to the literal sense yet drew pastoral comfort from God’s weather-ruling power.
Connections to the Wider Biblical Motif of Scattering and Gathering
Though mezareh directly describes wind, its root evokes scattering. Scripture often moves from dispersion to restoration (Deuteronomy 30:3;Ezekiel 37:21). The wind that scatters chaff (Psalm 1:4) prefigures the Spirit who regathers in Christ (John 11:52;Acts 2:6).
Eschatological Resonance
Revelation 7:1 pictures four angels restraining the winds until God’s servants are sealed—a final affirmation that every mezareh-like force remains subject to divine decree, ensuring ultimate safety for the redeemed.
Summary
Mezareh, though a hapax legomenon, enriches biblical theology by portraying the north wind as a vivid witness to God’s omnipotence. Its single appearance is a reminder that even the rarest word can open windows into the grandeur of the Lord who “does great things beyond searching out, and wonders without number” (Job 9:10).
Forms and Transliterations
וּֽמִמְּזָרִ֥ים וממזרים ū·mim·mə·zā·rîm umimezaRim ūmimməzārîm
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
