ESTUDIO DE LA PALABRA HEBREA
Mûwth (H4191) — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Mûwth (H4191) is the principal Hebrew verb for death, covering both the natural end of life and the act of killing.
Significado de la palabra
The verb mûwth (מוּת) expresses death in its broadest sense. In the simple (Qal) stem it means 'to die,' referring to the end of physical life—whether as a natural event, a divine penalty, or the perishing of a people (Genesis 5:5; Genesis 3:3).
The causative stems (Polel, Hiphil, and Hophal) shift the focus from the one dying to the one causing death: 'to kill,' 'to put to death,' or 'to be executed.' This covers capital punishment, warfare, murder, and divinely commanded killing.
Uso en las Escrituras
Mûwth frames the opening drama of the Bible. In Genesis 2:17 God warns that eating the forbidden tree will bring death ('thou shalt surely die'), and in Genesis 3:4 the serpent counters with 'Ye shall not surely die.' The word thus carries theological weight from the first pages of Scripture.
The verb also structures the genealogical formula of Genesis 5, where the repeated refrain 'and he died' (יָּמֹת) appears for Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, and Methuselah, marking the universal reality of mortality.
La palabra en detalle
- H4191 Mûwth is the most common Hebrew verb for death, appearing 359 times across 316 verses. It functions in both Qal ('to die') and causative stems ('to kill / to be put to death').
Versículos de ejemplo
- Genesis 2:17 God's warning of death as the penalty for disobedience; the infinitive absolute מוֹת emphasizes certainty ('surely die').
- Genesis 3:4 The serpent's denial, directly echoing but reversing God's warning of Genesis 2:17.
- Genesis 3:3 The woman's report of God's command, using תְּמֻתוּ ('lest you die'), which frames the curse in Qal.
- Genesis 5:5 The first use of the recurring genealogical refrain 'and he died' (יָּמֹת) in Genesis 5.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the basic meaning of mûwth?
It means 'to die' in the Qal stem and 'to kill / to put to death' in the causative stems (Polel, Hiphil, Hophal).
How often does mûwth appear in the Hebrew Bible?
It occurs 359 times across 316 distinct verses, making it the most frequent Hebrew verb for death.
Why is Genesis 2:17 important for understanding mûwth?
It uses the infinitive absolute מוֹת to stress certainty ('surely die'), establishing death as the stated consequence of sin and shaping the theology of the Fall.