from בּוּשׁ; (plural) the (male) pudenda; secrets.
Transliteration:mâbush
Pronunciation:maw-boosh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word מָבֻשׁ (mâbush, `{{H4016}}`) is a noun derived from the verb בּוּשׁ (bûsh, `{{H954}}`), which means "to be ashamed," "to be put to shame," or "to be confounded." This etymological connection is crucial to understanding its semantic range. Primarily, mâbush refers to the "(male) pudenda," the external genital organs. The very term for these body parts inherently carries a connotation of shame or modesty, reflecting the post-Fall understanding of nakedness ([[Genesis 3:7]], [[Genesis 3:10]]). This primary meaning is directly linked to the idea of something that should be covered or kept private due to a sense of propriety or vulnerability. The secondary definition, "secrets," extends this concept metaphorically to things that are hidden, concealed, or private, much like the physical parts it denotes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mâbush (`{{H4016}}`) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, in [[Deuteronomy 25:11]]. This singular occurrence provides a clear and unambiguous context for its meaning:
> "When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draws near to rescue her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts out her hand and seizes him by his private parts (מָבֻשׁ)."
In this passage, mâbush unequivocally refers to the male genitals. The context is a legal stipulation within the Mosaic Law, addressing a specific act of extreme physical and personal violation. The subsequent verse, [[Deuteronomy 25:12]], prescribes a severe penalty for this act—the cutting off of the woman's hand. This harsh judgment underscores the profound gravity of seizing a man by his mâbush. Such an act was not merely an assault but a deep dishonoring, a public shaming, and a symbolic emasculation, striking at the core of a man's dignity, honor, and procreative capacity. The usage here firmly grounds the word in its physical meaning, emphasizing the sacredness and inviolability of the human body, particularly its most private parts.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root verb בּוּשׁ (bûsh, `{{H954}}`), "to be ashamed." This connection highlights that the "private parts" are so named because they are associated with modesty and the shame that entered the human experience after the Fall.
Another significant related term is עֶרְוָה (ervah, `{{H6172}}`), which broadly means "nakedness," "shame," or "indecency." While mâbush specifically denotes the male pudenda, ervah is a more general term for nakedness or private parts of either sex, often used in contexts of sexual impropriety, incest, or exposure (e.g., "uncovering nakedness" in Leviticus). Both terms carry strong connotations of modesty, privacy, and the potential for shame or defilement.
Conceptually, mâbush touches upon themes of:
* **Modesty and Propriety:** The need to cover and protect certain parts of the body.
* **Honor and Dignity:** The profound violation of a person's honor through the exposure or assault of their private parts.
* **Purity and Sanctity of the Body:** The biblical emphasis on the body as created by God and deserving of respect and protection, especially in its most vulnerable aspects.
* **Justice and Retribution:** The severe legal consequences for violating these boundaries.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of mâbush (`{{H4016}}`) in [[Deuteronomy 25:11-12]] carries significant theological weight. It reveals the profound value placed on human dignity and the sanctity of the body within God's covenant law. The extreme penalty for seizing a man by his mâbush demonstrates that this act was considered a violation of the highest order, touching upon a man's very essence, his capacity for procreation, and his honor in the community. It was an assault that aimed to humiliate and emasculate, thereby undermining the divinely ordained order and the individual's personhood.
The etymological link to "shame" (bûsh, `{{H954}}`) further underscores the theological reality of the Fall. Post-Fall, nakedness became associated with shame and required covering ([[Genesis 3:7]], [[Genesis 3:21]]). Thus, the "private parts" are intrinsically tied to this sense of vulnerability and the need for protection and modesty. The law concerning mâbush serves as a stark reminder of the boundaries God establishes for human interaction, emphasizing respect for the body, sexual purity, and the severe consequences of actions that degrade or dishonor another person. It reflects a divine concern for the holistic well-being and dignity of individuals within the community.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מָבֻשׁ (mâbush, `{{H4016}}`) is a rare but potent term, appearing only once in [[Deuteronomy 25:11]]. Derived from the root בּוּשׁ (bûsh, `{{H954}}`), "to be ashamed," its primary meaning is the "(male) pudenda," reflecting the inherent association of these body parts with modesty and privacy. In its sole biblical occurrence, mâbush refers to the male genitals, the seizure of which warranted an exceptionally severe legal penalty. This highlights the profound biblical emphasis on the sanctity of the human body, the importance of personal dignity and honor, and the gravity of acts that violate these boundaries. While its root suggests a broader metaphorical meaning of "secrets," its explicit biblical usage firmly anchors mâbush in the physical realm, underscoring the divine concern for the protection and respect due to all aspects of human personhood.
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