from מָגוֹר and סָבִיב with the preposition inserted; affright from around; Magor-mis-Sabib, a symbolic name of Pashur; Magormissabib.
Transliteration:Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb
Pronunciation:maw-gore' mis-saw-beeb'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew phrase H4036, *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb*, is a compound prophetic name derived from two distinct elements: מָגוֹר (magor) and מִסָּבִיב (mis-sabib). The first component, מָגוֹר (magor), stems from `{{H4032}}`, signifying "terror," "dread," or "affright." It conveys a profound sense of overwhelming fear or apprehension. The second component, מִסָּבִיב (mis-sabib), is a combination of the preposition מִן (min), meaning "from," and סָבִיב (sabib), `{{H5439}}`, meaning "around," "on every side," or "surrounding."
When combined, *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* literally translates to "terror from around" or "dread on every side." It encapsulates a state of inescapable fear and impending doom, where threats and anxieties converge from all directions. This is not merely an internal feeling but a prophetic declaration of an external reality of pervasive threat, a name that embodies the very nature of the judgment it foretells.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* appears exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, serving as a symbolic designation for Pashhur, the son of Immer, a priest and the chief officer in the house of the Lord. Its primary occurrence is in [[Jeremiah 20:3]], where the prophet Jeremiah, having been beaten and put in the stocks by Pashhur, declares: "Then Jeremiah said to him, 'The Lord has not called your name Pashhur, but Magor-mis-sabib.'"
The subsequent verse, [[Jeremiah 20:4]], provides the divine interpretation and elaboration of this symbolic name: "For thus says the Lord: 'Behold, I will make you a terror to yourself and to all your friends; and they shall fall by the sword of their enemies, and your eyes shall see it. And I will give all Judah into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall carry them captive to Babylon and strike them down with the sword.'"
In this context, *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* is not merely a descriptive epithet but a performative utterance of divine judgment. Pashhur, who had inflicted terror and humiliation upon God's prophet, is himself destined to become the embodiment of terror, both to himself and to his associates. The "terror on every side" he is to experience and represent is directly linked to the impending Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction and exile of Judah. The name thus functions as a stark reversal of fortune, where the oppressor becomes the oppressed, and the one who caused fear is consumed by it. It highlights the direct consequence of resisting God's word and persecuting His messenger.
### Related Words & Concepts
The constituent parts of *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* illuminate its profound meaning. מָגוֹר (magor, `{{H4032}}`) is closely associated with concepts of dread and fear, often in the context of divine judgment or overwhelming distress. Other Hebrew terms conveying similar sentiments include פַּחַד (pachad, `{{H6343}}`), meaning "dread" or "terror," often associated with the "dread of the Lord," and חֲרָדָה (charadah, `{{H2731}}`), denoting "trembling" or "anxiety." The choice of מָגוֹר here emphasizes an intense, pervasive fear that grips one from within and without.
The element סָבִיב (sabib, `{{H5439}}`), meaning "around" or "on every side," frequently describes encirclement, encompassing, or the proximity of surrounding entities. In this context, it powerfully conveys the inescapable nature of the impending terror. There is no direction from which relief will come; rather, terror will press in from all quarters. This concept of being "surrounded" by trouble or enemies is a recurring motif in the Psalms and prophetic literature, often signifying dire straits or divine siege.
The broader theological concept of prophetic naming is also highly relevant. Throughout the Old Testament, individuals and places are given symbolic names that encapsulate divine messages or future realities (e.g., Immanuel, `{{H6005}}`; Lo-ruhamah, `{{H3819}}`; Lo-ammi, `{{H3818}}`). *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* stands as a particularly poignant example, transforming Pashhur's identity into a living prophecy of judgment, not only for himself but for the nation that rejected God's warnings.
### Theological Significance
The name *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* carries profound theological weight, primarily underscoring the themes of divine justice, the consequences of sin, and the sovereignty of God over human affairs.
1. **Divine Retribution and Justice:** The name serves as a stark reminder that God is a God of justice who will not allow defiance of His word to go unpunished. Pashhur's actions against Jeremiah, a direct affront to God's prophetic voice, are met with a fitting and inescapable judgment. The terror he inflicted is returned to him manifold, symbolizing a principle of divine reciprocity.
2. **The Inescapability of God's Judgment:** The phrase "terror on every side" emphasizes that when God's judgment comes, it is comprehensive and inescapable. There is no refuge or escape from the consequences of rejecting His covenant and persecuting His messengers. The surrounding nature of the terror signifies a complete encirclement by divine wrath.
3. **Prophetic Authority and Validation:** The giving of such a potent symbolic name validates Jeremiah's prophetic authority. Despite being imprisoned and humiliated, Jeremiah speaks with the voice of Yahweh, and his pronouncements are shown to be true and effective. The fulfillment of this prophecy would serve as a powerful testament to God's active involvement in history.
4. **Consequences of Rejecting God's Word:** Pashhur's fate, encapsulated in his new name, stands as a warning to all who would oppose God's revealed will. It illustrates that spiritual rebellion and physical persecution of God's servants bring about devastating consequences, leading to self-inflicted terror and ultimate destruction.
5. **God's Sovereignty in History:** The prophecy inherent in *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* demonstrates God's sovereign control over nations and their destinies. The terror that would encompass Judah, orchestrated through the Babylonians, was not random chaos but a divinely ordained consequence for their persistent idolatry and disobedience.
### Summary
*Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* (H4036) is a potent Hebrew prophetic name meaning "terror on every side" or "dread from all around." This unique designation was given by the prophet Jeremiah to Pashhur, a priest who had persecuted him, as recorded in [[Jeremiah 20:3-4]]. The name served as a divine pronouncement of judgment, signifying that Pashhur himself would become a source of terror to his friends and would witness the pervasive dread and destruction brought upon Judah by the Babylonian invasion. Theologically, *Mâgôwr miç-Çâbîyb* powerfully illustrates God's unwavering justice, the inescapable consequences of opposing His word, and His ultimate sovereignty over history. It remains a poignant reminder of the solemn truth that those who inflict terror upon God's messengers will themselves be consumed by terror from every direction.
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