The Hebrew noun marpeh derives from the root rapha (H7495, to heal) and denotes healing, health, a cure, or a remedy. It appears about 16 times, primarily in wisdom literature (Proverbs) and the prophets (Jeremiah, Malachi, Ezekiel), describing both physical and spiritual restoration.
In Hebrew thought, healing is fundamentally a divine prerogative — 'I am the LORD who heals you' (Exodus 15:26, YHWH Ropheka). Marpeh appears in Proverbs to describe the healing power of wise words (12:18; 16:24 — 'gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones') and the healing that flows from a wholesome, godly disposition. Jeremiah weeps that there is 'no healing' for Israel because of relentless sin (Jeremiah 14:19). But Malachi's eschatological promise — 'the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings' (Malachi 4:2) — points forward to Christ, the Great Physician, whose atonement brings both physical and spiritual wholeness.