or מְדֻרָה; from דּוּר in the sense of accumulation; a pile of fuel; pile (for fire).
Transliteration:mᵉdûwrâh
Pronunciation:med-oo-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term mᵉdûwrâh (מְדוּרָה, `{{H4071}}`) is derived from the root dûr (דּוּר, `{{H1752}}`), which carries the primary sense of "to go around" or "to dwell," but in this specific nominal form, it signifies "accumulation" or "piling up." Consequently, mᵉdûwrâh refers to a "pile of fuel" or a "pile for fire." Its semantic range is quite narrow, specifically denoting a collection of combustible material, such as wood or brush, gathered with the explicit purpose of being burned. The inherent purpose of the pile—to provide fuel for an intense fire—is central to its meaning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word mᵉdûwrâh appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in prophetic contexts, vividly depicting divine judgment:
1. **[[Isaiah 30:33]]**: "For Topheth has long been prepared; indeed, for the king it is made ready, its **pile** (מְדוּרָה) is deep and broad, with fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of sulfur, kindles it."
* Context: This passage speaks of God's impending judgment, particularly against Assyria, but uses the imagery of Topheth, a valley south of Jerusalem associated with child sacrifice and later a symbol of a place of fiery destruction.
* Analysis: Here, mᵉdûwrâh describes a vast, meticulously prepared stack of fuel for a devastating fire. The phrases "deep and broad" emphasize the immense scale and thoroughness of the impending judgment. The "breath of the LORD" kindling it underscores the divine origin and irresistible power of this destructive fire. It portrays a judgment that is not haphazard but purposefully fueled for complete consumption.
2. **[[Ezekiel 24:9]]**: "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the bloody city! I also will make the **pile** (מְדוּרָה) great."
* Context: This oracle is directed against Jerusalem, condemned as a "bloody city" due to its idolatry, injustice, and violence. The preceding verses use the metaphor of a boiling pot, symbolizing the siege and destruction of the city.
* Analysis: In this context, mᵉdûwrâh refers to the fuel that intensifies the fire beneath the "bloody pot" of Jerusalem. The declaration "I also will make the pile great" signifies that the Lord Himself will increase the intensity and severity of the judgment. The greater the pile of fuel, the hotter and more destructive the fire, illustrating the comprehensive and unsparing nature of God's wrath upon the rebellious city.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root dûr (דּוּר, `{{H1752}}`), from which mᵉdûwrâh is derived, specifically in its sense of "to pile up" or "to accumulate." Conceptually, mᵉdûwrâh is intrinsically linked to ʾēš (אֵשׁ, `{{H784}}`), meaning "fire," as its very purpose is to feed a conflagration. Other related concepts include:
* **Burning/Consumption:** Words like sārāp̱ (שָׂרַף, `{{H8313}}`, "to burn") and kālâ (כָּלָה, `{{H3615}}`, "to complete, consume, utterly destroy") are closely associated, as the fuel pile's ultimate function is to facilitate intense burning and destruction.
* **Judgment/Wrath:** Given its limited but powerful occurrences, mᵉdûwrâh is consistently found in contexts of divine judgment (mišpāṭ, מִשְׁפָּט, `{{H4941}}`) and wrath (ḥārôn, חָרוֹן, `{{H2740}}`), often portrayed as a consuming fire.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mᵉdûwrâh is profound, primarily serving as a stark metaphor for divine judgment.
* **Intensity of Divine Judgment:** In both instances, the "pile of fuel" signifies the magnitude and intensity of God's wrath. It is not a fleeting spark but a carefully prepared and amply fueled fire, ensuring thorough and complete destruction of that which is condemned. The "deep and broad" pile in Isaiah and the "great" pile in Ezekiel underscore the unsparing nature of God's justice.
* **Preparedness and Deliberation:** The imagery of a *prepared* pile of fuel suggests that divine judgment is not arbitrary or impulsive, but a deliberate, measured, and inevitable consequence of unrepentant sin. God's judgment is not a sudden outburst but a righteous response that has been readied.
* **Justice and Holiness:** The mᵉdûwrâh serves as a powerful testament to God's holiness and justice. Just as a fire consumes its fuel, so God's righteous wrath consumes sin and rebellion. It illustrates that God will not tolerate evil indefinitely, and His justice demands a reckoning, often depicted through the purifying and destructive power of fire.
* **Consequences of Sin:** The word implicitly highlights the devastating consequences of human rebellion and unfaithfulness. The "bloody city" of Jerusalem and the oppressive Assyrian empire face a judgment commensurate with their transgressions, fueled by their own accumulated iniquity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mᵉdûwrâh (מְדוּרָה, `{{H4071}}`), meaning "a pile of fuel," appears only twice in the Old Testament, yet it carries immense theological weight. Derived from a root signifying accumulation, it refers to a stack of combustible material specifically intended for a fire. In both [[Isaiah 30:33]] and [[Ezekiel 24:9]], mᵉdûwrâh` functions as a potent metaphor for the intensity, preparedness, and deliberateness of divine judgment. It underscores that God's righteous wrath is not a fleeting spark but a meticulously prepared and amply fueled conflagration, ensuring the thorough and complete consumption of sin and rebellion. The word thus vividly portrays the just, inevitable, and unsparing nature of God's judgment, often depicted as a consuming fire fueled by the very iniquities it purges.
TRV