also (in plural) feminine (Daniel 11:l5) מִבְצָרָה; from בָּצַר; a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender; (de-, most) fenced, fortress, (most) strong (hold).
Transliteration:mibtsâr
Pronunciation:mib-tsawr'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, `{{H4013}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verb בָּצַר (bātsar, `{{H1219}}`), meaning "to cut off," "to make inaccessible," or "to fortify." This etymological root immediately establishes the core semantic range of מִבְצָר as pertaining to defense, security, and impenetrability. Its primary meaning denotes a physical structure: a "fortification," "castle," or "fortified city." This refers to any stronghold designed to withstand attack and provide protection.
Beyond its literal architectural sense, מִבְצָר can also be used figuratively. The provided definition notes its potential to signify "a defender," extending the concept from a static structure to an active agent of protection. Adjectival or descriptive uses are also common, where it translates to "fenced," "strong (hold)," or "most strong," emphasizing the quality of being well-defended or impregnable. Notably, [[Daniel 11:15]] presents a plural feminine form, מִבְצָרָה (mibtsārāh), indicating its grammatical flexibility while retaining its core meaning of fortified places.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִבְצָר (mibtsâr) appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, particularly in historical narratives and prophetic literature, reflecting its significance in ancient Near Eastern warfare and political strategy.
In the historical books, מִבְצָר often describes actual fortified cities or strategic strongholds that played crucial roles in military campaigns and national security. For instance, it is used to describe the fortified cities of the Canaanites that the Israelites encountered during their conquest ([[Numbers 32:17]], [[Joshua 10:20]]). Later, it refers to the defensive network of strongholds built or maintained by Israelite kings, such as Rehoboam's fortified cities in Judah ([[2 Chronicles 11:10]]) or Jehoshaphat's extensive strongholds and store-cities ([[2 Chronicles 17:12]]). In these contexts, מִבְצָר highlights human efforts to establish security, control territory, and defend against adversaries.
In prophetic literature, the usage of מִבְצָר often takes on a more symbolic or theological dimension. Prophets frequently declare the downfall of nations by prophesying the destruction of their "strongholds" ([[Isaiah 17:3]], [[Jeremiah 8:14]], [[Hosea 8:14]], [[Amos 2:2]]). This serves to illustrate the futility of human defenses against divine judgment. Even powerful cities like Tyre, renowned for their fortifications, are depicted as vulnerable to God's decree. The plural form in [[Daniel 11:15]] refers to the capture of fortified cities in the context of geopolitical conflicts between kings. In these passages, the collapse of a nation's מִבְצָר signifies its complete subjugation and the triumph of God's sovereign will over human might. Occasionally, in poetic or wisdom literature, the term can be used to describe God's power in dismantling human defenses, as seen in [[Psalm 89:40]], where God is depicted as throwing down the strongholds of His enemies.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, `{{H4013}}`) is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms that convey notions of defense, security, and protection:
* **Root Word:** The verb בָּצַר (bātsar, `{{H1219}}`), from which מִבְצָר is derived, is fundamental. It means "to cut off," "to make inaccessible," or "to fortify," directly informing the noun's core meaning of a fortified place.
* **Other Terms for Fortification:**
* מָצוֹר (matsor, `{{H4692}}`): This term can mean "siege" (the act of besieging) or "fortress" (the place being besieged or a stronghold). It often appears in contexts of military conflict.
* מִגְדָּל (migdāl, `{{H4026}}`): "Tower." While a tower is a specific type of defensive structure, it is often a component of a larger מִבְצָר or fortified city.
* חוֹמָה (chomah, `{{H2346}}`): "Wall." The primary defensive barrier of a city, often integral to its status as a מִבְצָר.
* **Terms for Divine Protection/Refuge:** While מִבְצָר typically refers to human constructs, the broader biblical concept of "stronghold" or "refuge" is often applied to God using different, more theologically charged terms:
* מָעוֹז (ma'oz, `{{H4581}}`): "Stronghold," "refuge," "defense." This word frequently describes God as a source of security and strength for His people.
* מִשְׂגָּב (misgav, `{{H4869}}`): "High fortress," "refuge." Similar to מָעוֹז, it commonly refers to God as a secure refuge.
* **Antithetical Concepts:** The opposite of מִבְצָר would be vulnerability, exposure, weakness, or destruction, which are often the outcomes for those who rely solely on their own fortifications rather than on God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, `{{H4013}}`) lies primarily in its role as a foil to divine power and a symbol of human reliance.
1. **Human Reliance vs. Divine Sovereignty:** The repeated appearance of מִבְצָר in the biblical narrative underscores humanity's natural inclination to build and trust in its own strength, security, and defenses. Nations and kings invest heavily in creating impenetrable strongholds. However, the consistent biblical testimony, particularly in the prophetic books, demonstrates that even the most formidable human "strongholds" are ultimately fragile and vulnerable before the sovereign power and judgment of God ([[Isaiah 25:12]], [[Jeremiah 5:17]]). This theme serves as a powerful reminder that true security cannot be found in physical or military might alone.
2. **God as the True Stronghold:** While מִבְצָר itself usually denotes human fortifications, its prevalence implicitly highlights the contrast with God as the ultimate, unassailable stronghold. Though other terms like מָעוֹז (ma'oz, `{{H4581}}`) or מִשְׂגָּב (misgav, `{{H4869}}`) are typically used to describe God as a refuge, the existence and eventual fall of human *mibtsar* emphasize that genuine, enduring security is found solely in Yahweh. Trusting in human defenses is portrayed as a form of idolatry, diverting reliance away from the Almighty.
3. **Judgment and Deliverance:** The destruction of strongholds is a recurring motif in prophecies of divine judgment, symbolizing the complete overthrow of a nation's pride, power, and perceived invincibility. It signifies God's absolute authority over all earthly powers. Conversely, for God's faithful people, His protection is often depicted as an impenetrable "stronghold," a divine defense against all adversaries, even when human fortifications fail.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, `{{H4013}}`) fundamentally describes a "fortification," "castle," or "fortified city," deriving from the root בָּצַר (bātsar, `{{H1219}}`), meaning "to cut off" or "to fortify." It signifies a structure built for defense and security, appearing extensively in historical accounts of warfare and in prophetic pronouncements. In historical contexts, it details the physical strongholds of nations and the strategic importance of fortified cities in ancient warfare. In prophetic literature, the term often serves as a powerful symbol of human reliance on self-made security, which is ultimately shown to be futile against the sovereign power and judgment of God. The repeated motif of the fall of human strongholds underscores a profound theological truth: true and lasting security is not found in physical fortifications or human might, but in the unassailable power and faithfulness of Yahweh. Thus, מִבְצָר contributes significantly to the biblical narrative's exploration of human vulnerability and divine omnipotence.
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