bitter
Mar describes inner anguish, harsh or painful outcomes, and the bitter quality of water or food in Scripture.
The term most often marks inward anguish expressed through a troubled soul, crying, complaint, or mourning. It also describes a painful end, day, or condition, the unpleasant quality of water and food, and in a few contexts the fierce disposition of people or a nation.
Senses in use
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Inner anguish and grief · dominant
In 1 Samuel 1:10, the feminine singular construct form occurs with a soul that prays and repeatedly weeps; the APB renders the clause “bitter of soul.” Job 10:1 and Job 7:11 place the masculine singular construct form in Job’s complaint and speech, while Esther 4:1 describes Mordecai’s loud outcry amid sackcloth and ashes.
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Painful end, condition, or day · common
In 2 Samuel 2:26, the feminine singular absolute form characterizes the anticipated end of ongoing sword-devouring. Amos 8:10 describes an end like a mourning day, and Jeremiah 2:19 calls forsaking the LORD both bad and bitter in the verse’s rebuke.
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Unpleasant water or food · common
Exodus 15:23 uses the masculine plural absolute form for water that could not be drunk. In Numbers 5:18, the same plural form describes the water held by the priest, and Proverbs 27:7 contrasts every bitter thing with sweetness for a hungry person.
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Fierce disposition · occasional
In 2 Samuel 17:8, the masculine plural construct form describes men likened to a bear robbed of her cubs. Judges 18:25 warns of men whose attack would cost lives, and Habakkuk 1:6 applies the masculine singular absolute form to the Chaldeans as they seize dwellings.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term in phrases such as “bitter of soul,” “bitter water,” “bitter day,” and “fierce temper.” These renderings reflect the surrounding clauses.