### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מַאֲבוּס (maʼăbûwç, `{{H3965}}`) is a noun derived from the verbal root אָבַס (ʼābas), which carries the meaning "to feed" or "to fatten." Consequently, מַאֲבוּס semantically denotes a place where food, particularly grain, is stored for the purpose of feeding or sustenance. Its core meaning is "granary" or "storehouse." This term specifically refers to an agricultural structure designed for the collection, preservation, and storage of harvested produce, emphasizing its role in ensuring provision and sustenance for a community or household. The very structure's purpose is to hold the fruits of labor and divine blessing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word מַאֲבוּוּס (maʼăbûwç, `{{H3965}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, found in the book of Joel:
* **[[Joel 1:17]]**: "The seeds rot under their clods; the granaries (מַאֲבוּס) are desolate, the storehouses are broken down, for the grain has withered."
In this singular occurrence, the context is one of profound national catastrophe and divine judgment. The prophet Joel describes a land utterly devastated by a severe locust plague and drought. The imagery of the "granaries (מַאֲבוּס) are desolate" (נָשַׁמּוּ מַאֲבֻסוֹת) is particularly poignant. These structures, built to secure the future and symbolize abundance, are depicted as empty and decaying. The desolation of the granaries is not merely an economic disaster but a stark visual representation of the complete failure of the agricultural system, directly attributed to God's judgment upon the people for their sin. The verse underscores the severity of the famine and the removal of divine blessing, leaving the people without their most basic means of survival. The emptiness of the very place designed for fullness highlights the depth of their plight.
### Related Words & Concepts
The meaning of מַאֲבוּס (maʼăbûwç, `{{H3965}}`) is enriched by its connection to its root and other related terms concerning sustenance, storage, and agricultural life:
* **Root אָבַס (ʼābas)**: The verbal root signifies "to feed" or "to fatten." This direct etymological link emphasizes that a granary is not merely a storage facility but a place from which provision for life is drawn.
* **אוֹצָר (ʼôṣār, `{{H0214}}`)**: A broader term for "treasury," "storehouse," or "armory." While אוֹצָר can encompass a granary, it is a more general term for a place where valuables or provisions of any kind are kept. מַאֲבוּס is more specific to agricultural produce.
* **דָּגָן (dāgān, `{{H1715}}`)**: "Grain" or "corn." This is the primary commodity that would be stored in a מַאֲבוּס, highlighting the direct connection between the structure and its contents.
* **תְּבוּאָה (tĕbûʼāh, `{{H8393}}`)**: "Produce" or "yield." This refers to the harvest itself, which is gathered into the granary.
* **רָעָב (rāʻāb, `{{H7458}}`)**: "Famine" or "hunger." The desolation of the מַאֲבוּס directly leads to רָעָב, underscoring the severe consequences of agricultural failure.
* **מִגְרָשׁ (migrāsh, `{{H4054}}`)**: "Pasture land." While not a storage facility, it relates to the broader concept of provision and sustenance, particularly for livestock.
Concepts related to מַאֲבוּס include divine provision, agricultural prosperity, stewardship, the consequences of disobedience, and the fragility of human security apart from God's blessing.
### Theological Significance
The single, yet powerful, occurrence of מַאֲבוּס (maʼăbûwç, `{{H3965}}`) in [[Joel 1:17]] carries significant theological weight:
1. **Symbol of Divine Provision and Blessing**: In a fertile land, full granaries were a tangible sign of God's blessing and covenant faithfulness ([[Deuteronomy 28:8]]). They represented the abundance and security that came from living in obedience to God. The very existence of a granary testifies to God's design for humanity to be sustained by the fruit of the earth.
2. **Consequence of Disobedience and Judgment**: The desolation of the granaries in Joel serves as a stark symbol of divine judgment. When God removes His hand of blessing due to the people's sin, the very structures designed for sustenance become empty and useless. This imagery powerfully communicates the severity of God's wrath and the direct link between national sin and agricultural devastation. It emphasizes that true security does not lie in stored provisions but in God's ongoing favor.
3. **Call to Repentance and Reliance on God**: The emptiness of the granaries in Joel's prophecy forces the people to confront their utter dependence on God. With no food stored, their only hope for survival and restoration lies in turning back to the Lord in repentance. This situation underscores the theological truth that material security is ultimately fleeting, and true sustenance, both physical and spiritual, comes from God alone. The crisis of the empty granary is a catalyst for spiritual re-evaluation and renewed faith.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מַאֲבוּס (maʼăbûwç, `{{H3965}}`) precisely denotes a "granary" or "storehouse," a structure dedicated to the storage of harvested grain. Its singular, yet profoundly impactful, appearance in [[Joel 1:17]] paints a vivid picture of national catastrophe. There, the desolation of the מַאֲבוּס symbolizes the devastating effects of divine judgment, where the very places meant for abundance lie empty and decaying due to famine and plague. Rooted in the concept of "feeding," this word highlights the critical link between agricultural productivity, divine provision, and the dire consequences of sin. The empty granary serves as a potent theological symbol of lost blessing, the fragility of human security, and the ultimate necessity of turning to God for true and lasting sustenance.
TRV