The Hebrew word mâbôwʼ, represented by H3996, is derived from the root H935 and signifies an entrance, both as a physical place and the act of entering. It appears 24 times in 24 unique verses. The term holds a dual meaning, referring to a literal entry point and also being used specifically to denote the sunset or the west, often in conjunction with the word for sun, H8121.
In biblical usage, H3996 functions in two primary contexts. First, it serves as a directional and geographical term. It is frequently used to describe the west or the end of the day, as in the phrase "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" Psalms 113:3, which signifies the entire world. This directional use also defines boundaries, as when God establishes Israel's coast "unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun" Joshua 1:4. Second, it denotes a physical point of access, such as the "entrance into the city" Judges 1:25 or the "entering in" of the house of the LORD Ezekiel 44:5.
Several related Hebrew words help to clarify the meaning of H3996:
- H935 bôwʼ (to go or come): This is the primitive root from which mâbôwʼ is derived. It represents the action of entering that occurs at an entrance. This connection is seen in the description of an invading army, which will enter gates "as men enter into a city" Ezekiel 26:10.
- H4161 môwtsâʼ (a going forth, exit, the East): This term serves as a direct counterpart to mâbôwʼ, signifying an exit or a source. The two are paired to describe complete surveillance, "to know thy going out and thy coming in" 2 Samuel 3:25, and to detail all aspects of the holy house, including "the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary" Ezekiel 44:5.
- H6607 pethach (an opening, door, entrance way): This word refers more specifically to the physical structure of a door or opening. It is used alongside mâbôwʼ in Proverbs 8:3, where wisdom cries "at the coming in at the doors."
The theological weight of H3996 is evident in its application to divine sovereignty and sacred space.
- The Scope of God's Dominion: The phrase pairing the sun's rising H4217 with its "going down" H3996 establishes the universal extent of God's authority and glory. It is from east to west that the Lord's name is to be praised Psalms 113:3 and will be considered great among the nations Malachi 1:11.
- Sacred Access: The term underscores the importance of guarding entry into holy places. The Korahites were assigned the sacred duty as "keepers of the entry" to the Lord's tabernacle 1 Chronicles 9:19. The command to "mark well the entering in of the house" Ezekiel 44:5 highlights the need for reverence and adherence to divine law when approaching God.
- Covenant Boundaries: The word is used to demarcate the borders of the Promised Land, establishing the territory given by God to His people. This is seen in both the definition of the land's western edge Joshua 1:4 and in geographical instructions for the people Deuteronomy 11:30.
In summary, H3996 is a multifaceted word that moves beyond a simple definition of "entrance." It encompasses both the physical act of entering a specific place and the vast, conceptual boundary of the west. Whether marking the entry to the house of the Lord or defining the span of the entire earth over which God's name is praised, mâbôwʼ serves as a key biblical term for understanding physical access, geographical limits, and the universal scope of divine authority.
TRV