or מָגֻר; from גּוּר in the sense of lodging; a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence; dwelling, pilgrimage, where sojourn, be a stranger. Compare מָגוֹר.
Transliteration:mâgûwr
Pronunciation:maw-goor'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H4033}}` (מָגוּר, mâgûwr) is derived from the verbal root `{{H1481}}` (גּוּר, gûr), which signifies "to sojourn, dwell, abide, or be a stranger." At its core, mâgûwr refers to a "temporary abode" or a "place of lodging." It describes a location where one resides for a period, often with the understanding that it is not one's permanent, ancestral home. By extension, the term can sometimes denote a "permanent residence," though this usage typically retains the nuance of a place where one *dwells* as a resident rather than an indigenous inhabitant. The semantic range of mâgûwr thus encompasses concepts such as "dwelling," "pilgrimage," and the "place where one sojourns" or "is a stranger." It is distinct from, though related to, `{{H4032}}` (מָגוֹר), which can also refer to sojourning but sometimes carries the meaning of "terror" from a different semantic development. For `{{H4033}}`, the emphasis remains firmly on the concept of temporary dwelling.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H4033}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in the Pentateuch and Psalms, where it carries significant weight:
* In Genesis and Exodus, mâgûwr frequently describes the land of Canaan as the "land of their sojournings" for the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For instance, in [[Genesis 17:8]], God promises Abraham "all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession," despite it being the land "wherein thou art a stranger" (mâgûwr). Similarly, [[Genesis 28:4]] speaks of "the land of thy sojournings," and [[Exodus 6:4]] references "the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers." These usages underscore the temporary and non-possessory status of the patriarchs in the promised land, highlighting their reliance on God's future fulfillment of the covenant.
* A particularly poignant usage occurs in [[Genesis 47:9]], where Jacob, in an encounter with Pharaoh, describes his life as a "pilgrimage" (יְמֵי שְׁנֵי מְגוּרַי, "the days of the years of my pilgrimage"). Here, mâgûwr transcends a physical location to encompass the entirety of his transient and often difficult life journey. This metaphorical extension is crucial for its theological implications.
* In the Psalms, this metaphorical sense is echoed. [[Psalm 119:54]] states, "Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." The Psalmist views his earthly life as a temporary dwelling—a "house of pilgrimage"—where God's word provides comfort and guidance for the journey.
Across these contexts, mâgûwr consistently emphasizes transience, whether of a physical dwelling place or of life itself, often in contrast to a divinely promised, permanent inheritance or an eternal home.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H4033}}` is rich with related Hebrew terms and concepts:
* **Root Verb:** The direct verbal root is `{{H1481}}` (גּוּר, gûr), meaning "to sojourn, dwell, abide, be a stranger." This foundational verb informs the core meaning of mâgûwr.
* **Related Nouns for Sojourners:**
* `{{H1616}}` (גֵּר, gêr): This noun denotes the "sojourner," "alien," or "stranger"—the person who engages in the act of sojourning. While mâgûwr is the *place* or *state* of sojourning, the gêr is the *individual* experiencing it.
* `{{H8453}}` (תּוֹשָׁב, tôshâb): Similar to gêr, this term refers to a "sojourner" or "resident alien," often emphasizing a temporary resident within a community.
* **Concepts:** The word mâgûwr is intrinsically linked to broader biblical concepts such as:
* **Nomadic Life:** The historical reality of the patriarchs and early Israelites.
* **Exile and Wanderings:** The experience of being displaced from one's homeland.
* **Covenant Promises:** The tension between the temporary sojourning and the ultimate divine promise of land and inheritance.
* **Hospitality and Justice for the Stranger:** The ethical imperative in Israelite law to care for the gêr, often rooted in Israel's own history as sojourners in Egypt.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4033}}` is profound, shaping core biblical themes:
* **Divine Promise Amidst Transience:** The repeated reference to Canaan as the "land of their sojournings" for the patriarchs (e.g., [[Genesis 17:8]], [[Exodus 6:4]]) highlights a crucial theological tension. Despite their temporary status and lack of full possession, God's covenant promise of the land remained steadfast. This underscores divine faithfulness and the certainty of future fulfillment, even when the present reality is one of transience. The sojourner's experience becomes a testament to God's enduring commitment.
* **Human Life as a Pilgrimage:** Jacob's declaration in [[Genesis 47:9]] elevates mâgûwr from a geographical state to a comprehensive theological statement about the human condition. Life itself is a "pilgrimage"—a journey that is finite, often challenging, and ultimately leads to a destination beyond earthly confines. This perspective encourages a detachment from temporal possessions and a focus on eternal realities.
* **The Believer's Identity:** The concept of mâgûwr contributes to the broader biblical understanding of believers as "strangers and pilgrims" on earth (cf. 1 Peter 2:11, using Greek equivalents but conveying the same theological posture). This identity implies that the believer's true, permanent home is not in this world but with God. It fosters a sense of anticipation for the heavenly city and encourages living according to divine principles while sojourning in a fallen world.
* **Ethical Implications:** Israel's own history as sojourners in a foreign land (Egypt) and the patriarchs' experience in Canaan informed their legal and ethical treatment of the "stranger" (gêr) within their community. The memory of being a mâgûwr instilled compassion and a mandate for justice towards others in similar circumstances (e.g., [[Leviticus 19:34]]).
### Summary
`{{H4033}}` (מָגוּר, mâgûwr) is a Hebrew term meaning a "temporary abode" or "place of sojourning," derived from the root `{{H1481}}` (גּוּר, gûr, "to sojourn"). Its primary use in the Pentateuch describes the "land of sojournings" for the patriarchs (e.g., [[Genesis 17:8]], [[Exodus 6:4]]), emphasizing their transient status in the promised land before its full inheritance, thus highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant. Beyond a literal place, mâgûwr takes on profound theological significance, particularly in [[Genesis 47:9]], where Jacob defines his entire life as a "pilgrimage," underscoring the brevity and transient nature of human existence. This theme is echoed in [[Psalm 119:54]], portraying life as a "house of pilgrimage" guided by God's statutes. The word encapsulates the biblical understanding of human life as a journey towards an eternal home, fostering a sense of detachment from earthly attachments and a reliance on divine providence. It also informs the ethical treatment of sojourners, rooted in Israel's own history of temporary dwelling.
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