### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **bôts**, represented by `{{H1206}}`, means **mud** or **mire**, likely referring to a whitish clay. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible, making its single usage particularly significant for its context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H1206}}` is in [[Jeremiah 38:22]], where it paints a vivid picture of entrapment and betrayal. In this passage, the women from the king of Judah's house are being brought before the Babylonian princes. They speak to the fallen king, saying, "thy feet are sunk in the **mire**." This imagery is used to describe the king's dire situation, a direct result of having been misled and overcome by his supposed friends, who have since abandoned him. The **mire** symbolizes a helpless state of shame and defeat from which there is no easy escape.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its only context help illuminate the meaning of `{{H1206}}`:
* `{{H2883}}` **ṭâbaʻ** (to sink): This verb is directly paired with **bôts**, describing the action of the king's feet which "are sunk" in the mire. It emphasizes the sense of being trapped and overwhelmed [[Jeremiah 38:22]].
* `{{H7272}}` **regel** (a foot): This word identifies what is trapped in the **mire**, highlighting the king's inability to move or escape his predicament. The focus on the **feet** being sunk suggests a complete loss of standing and stability [[Jeremiah 38:22]].
* `{{H5472}}` **çûwg** (to turn away, back): This word describes the action of the king's treacherous friends who "are turned away back" after leading him into this ruinous situation. It connects the state of being in the **mire** to the consequence of abandonment [[Jeremiah 38:22]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1206}}` is derived entirely from its powerful metaphorical use in Jeremiah.
* **Symbol of Helpless Entrapment:** Being sunk in the **mire** represents a state of utter powerlessness. It is a metaphor for a predicament, brought on by the actions of others, that has resulted in a complete loss of control and forward movement [[Jeremiah 38:22]].
* **Consequence of Misplaced Trust:** The passage explicitly links the king's state to the betrayal of his "friends" `{{H582}}`, who have "set thee on" `{{H5496}}` and "prevailed" `{{H3201}}` against him. The **mire** is therefore the tangible result of heeding treacherous counsel and placing trust in unreliable allies.
* **A Picture of Humiliation and Defeat:** The image of having one's feet sunk in **mire** is used in a taunt that underscores the king of Judah's fall. It is a symbol of his humiliation before his enemies and his own people, encapsulating his defeat and desperate circumstances [[Jeremiah 38:22]].
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H1206}}` is one of the rarest words in the biblical text, its single use offers a potent and memorable image. It is more than just physical mud; it serves as a powerful symbol for a state of helpless entrapment, profound humiliation, and the disastrous consequences of betrayal. The word **bôts** perfectly captures the tragic and pitiful end of the king as described in the prophecy of Jeremiah.
TRV