from מָגַר; precipice; Migron, a place in Palestine; Migron.
Transliteration:Migrôwn
Pronunciation:mig-rone'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מִגְרוֹן (Migrôwn), designated as `{{H4051}}`, functions as a proper noun referring to a specific geographical location in ancient Israel. Its etymology traces back to the verbal root מָגַר (`{{H4049}}`), which carries the primary meaning of "to cast down," "to overthrow," or "to deliver up." Consequently, the name "Migron" itself suggests a place characterized by a "precipice," a "steep descent," or a location associated with "casting down." This etymological link implies a topographical feature, likely a high point overlooking a valley, or a place where one might descend or be "cast down." Its semantic range is thus narrow, primarily denoting a physical landmark, but with an underlying suggestion of its geomorphic nature.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Migron is mentioned in two distinct biblical passages, each providing crucial contextual information about its location and significance:
1. **[[1 Samuel 14:2]]**: "Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron; and the people who were with him were about six hundred men." In this passage, Migron serves as a geographical marker for Saul's encampment during his early reign, specifically during a period of conflict with the Philistines. It is situated "on the outskirts of Gibeah," a significant Benjaminite city and Saul's hometown. This places Migron firmly within the tribal territory of Benjamin, likely to the north or northeast of Jerusalem. The mention of a "pomegranate tree" further suggests a recognizable landmark within this specific locale, indicating its use as a strategic or identifiable point for military positioning.
2. **[[Isaiah 10:28]]**: "He has come to Aiath, he has passed through Migron; at Michmash he deposits his baggage." Here, Migron appears in a prophetic oracle describing the rapid and terrifying advance of the Assyrian army towards Jerusalem. The sequence of locations—Aiath, Migron, Michmash, Geba, Ramah, Gibeah of Saul, Anathoth, Madmenah, Gebim, Nob—delineates a specific invasion route from the north. This passage confirms Migron's strategic importance as a point along a major ancient thoroughfare. Its inclusion in this list of rapidly traversed towns emphasizes the swiftness and overwhelming nature of the Assyrian advance, highlighting the vulnerability of the land and its inhabitants. The context underscores Migron as a known waypoint on a critical military path.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H4051}}` is its root, מָגַר (`{{H4049}}`), which denotes actions of "casting down," "overthrowing," or "delivering up." This root is also linked to מָגוֹר (`{{H4032}}`), meaning "terror" or "dread," suggesting a potential semantic field related to precipitousness, danger, or destruction.
Geographically, Migron is closely associated with other Benjaminite towns and strategic locations:
* **Gibeah**: Saul's capital and a key city in Benjamin.
* **Michmash**: Site of a significant battle between Israel and the Philistines, located across a wadi from Geba.
* **Geba**: Another Benjaminite town, often paired with Michmash.
* **Aiath (Ai)**: An ancient city north of Jerusalem, part of the Assyrian advance route.
* **Ramah, Anathoth, Nob**: Other towns in the immediate vicinity mentioned in Isaiah's prophecy, further defining the geographical context.
The concept of a "precipice" or "descent" inherent in Migron's name connects it to topographical features that often played a role in ancient warfare, serving as natural defenses, ambush points, or strategic overlooks.
### Theological Significance
As a geographical place name, Migron's theological significance is primarily indirect, derived from its embeddedness within pivotal biblical narratives.
In [[1 Samuel 14]], Migron serves as a backdrop to Saul's early kingship and his struggles against the Philistines. It marks a moment of strategic waiting and positioning, subtly highlighting the nascent stages of Israel's monarchy and the challenges of leadership. The narrative here focuses on divine intervention (through Jonathan's faith and the subsequent panic among the Philistines) rather than the place itself, yet Migron anchors the historical reality of these events. It is a physical location where God's purposes for Israel began to unfold through human agency, albeit imperfectly.
In [[Isaiah 10]], Migron becomes a potent symbol within the prophetic landscape. It represents a point on the inexorable path of God's judgment, as executed through the Assyrian empire. The rapid passage through Migron underscores the swiftness and terror of divine retribution against a disobedient Judah. While the Assyrians act out of their own imperial ambition, Isaiah reveals their role as instruments in God's sovereign plan. Migron, as a place name, contributes to the vivid imagery of an unstoppable force, a tangible waypoint on the road to impending doom for those who have forsaken the Lord. The potential meaning of "precipice" in its name could subtly allude to the precarious position of Judah, standing on the brink of divine judgment.
### Summary
מִגְרוֹן (`{{H4051}}`) is a proper noun identifying a specific geographical location in the tribal territory of Benjamin, derived from a root meaning "to cast down" or "precipice." Its two biblical occurrences firmly place it near Gibeah ([[1 Samuel 14:2]]) and on a strategic route between Aiath and Michmash, north of Jerusalem ([[Isaiah 10:28]]). In [[1 Samuel]], Migron serves as a historical marker for Saul's encampment during a critical phase of early Israelite monarchy. In [[Isaiah]], it functions as a symbolic waypoint in the prophetic description of the Assyrian invasion, underscoring the swiftness and inevitability of God's judgment. While not a place of explicit theological revelation, Migron is an integral part of the biblical landscape, anchoring significant narratives of divine providence, human leadership, and prophetic fulfillment.
TRV