Marats (H4834) describes a crushing, pressing pain β the kind inflicted by harsh treatment or oppression. In 1 Kings it describes the way Rehoboam was warned his father's yoke was marats β severe, crushing. The word captures the crushing weight of oppressive authority as well as fierce, painful conditions.
The theological import of marats relates to God's concern for the oppressed. The prophets consistently condemn leadership that marats the people rather than shepherds them. Isaiah 58's true fast is to 'loose the chains of injustice' β to stop the marats of the powerless. Jesus came to set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18) β the mission statement against all marats.