### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mᵉbûwqâh**, represented by `{{H4003}}`, means **emptiness** or **void**. It is derived from the same root as `{{H950}}` bûwqâh. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible, yet it contributes to one of Scripture's most vivid depictions of utter desolation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H4003}}` is in the prophecy of Nahum against Nineveh. The verse paints a stark picture of a city completely undone by judgment, stating, "She is empty, and **void**, and waste" [[Nahum 2:10]]. The term is part of a powerful three-word sequence describing total ruin. This state of emptiness is immediately linked to the complete physical and emotional collapse of its inhabitants, as the passage continues: "and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins" [[Nahum 2:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words in its immediate context help to intensify the meaning of `{{H4003}}`:
* `{{H950}}` **bûwqâh** (empty): As the source root for `{{H4003}}`, this word appears directly alongside it in [[Nahum 2:10]] to emphasize the theme of emptiness and desolation.
* `{{H1110}}` **bâlaq** (to annihilate; (make) waste): This is the third term in the triad of destruction in [[Nahum 2:10]], signifying that the "void" is the result of an active process of annihilation. It is also used in [[Isaiah 24:1]] where the LORD makes the earth waste.
* `{{H4549}}` **mâçaç** (to liquefy; figuratively, to faint... melt away): This word describes the direct consequence of the voidness upon the human spirit. In [[Nahum 2:10]], the heart "melteth," a common biblical expression for extreme fear and loss of courage in the face of God's power [[Joshua 2:11]].
* `{{H2479}}` **chalchâlâh** (writhing... terror; (great, much) pain): This term further illustrates the physical agony accompanying the desolation. The "great pain" in the loins described in [[Nahum 2:10]] is an image of debilitating terror and anguish.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4003}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
* **The Nature of Divine Judgment:** The word contributes to a portrait of divine judgment as not merely punitive but utterly consuming. The result is a complete unmaking, a state of being "void" where life and substance once were.
* **A Portrait of Terror:** The context of [[Nahum 2:10]] shows that this "void" is not a peaceful emptiness but a terrifying one. It is intrinsically linked to the physical and psychological reactions of fear: melting hearts, knocking knees, and agonizing pain.
* **The Consequence of Rebellion:** The use of `{{H4003}}` within the prophecy against Nineveh serves as a stark warning. The emptiness and void are the direct results of a city's wickedness meeting the overwhelming power of a holy God.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H4003}}` is used only once, its impact is significant. It functions as a key component in a biblical description of absolute ruin. Paired with words for emptiness, waste, and physical terror, **mᵉbûwqâh** moves beyond a simple definition of "void" to paint a picture of the all-encompassing desolation that results from divine judgment.
TRV