maq denotes decay or deterioration, pictured in Isaiah through loss of adornment and the ruin of root and blossom.

maq is used for decay or deterioration: in Isaiah 3:24 it stands within a sequence of replacements that strip away beauty, while in Isaiah 5:24 it describes the ruined condition compared with a root and blossom consumed into dust.

1. Decay in scenes of ruin and loss · dominant

   Both occurrences are masculine singular absolute nouns. In Isaiah 3:24 the APB renders the clause "instead of spice, decay" within a series in which beauty and clothing are replaced by signs of disgrace; in Isaiah 5:24 it renders a root becoming "like decay" and a blossom rising "like dust" after the fire-and-stubble comparison.

   Isaiah 3:24Isaiah 5:24

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses "decay" in both cited clauses, once as the replacement for spice and once in the comparison for a root. These clauses show the verse-level presentation rather than a precise English mapping.