from הָפַךְ; a wrench, i.e. the stocks; prison, stocks.
Transliteration:mahpeketh
Pronunciation:mah-peh'-keth
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word mahpeketh (מַהְפֶּכֶת, `{{H4115}}`) is derived from the root haphak (הָפַךְ, `{{H2015}}`), which carries the core meaning "to turn, to overturn, to overthrow, to change." This etymological connection is crucial, as mahpeketh thus denotes something that has been "turned" or "overturned" in a restrictive or punitive sense. The primary definition refers to "a wrench" in the sense of a device used to twist or restrain, leading to its more common understanding as "the stocks" or a form of "prison." It signifies an instrument or place of confinement, restraint, and punishment, often involving the contortion or severe restriction of the body. The semantic range of mahpeketh is narrow, consistently pointing to physical restraint and punitive incarceration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term mahpeketh (מַהְפֶּכֶת, `{{H4115}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, in two significant passages:
* **[[Jeremiah 20:2]]**: "Then Pashhur struck Jeremiah the prophet and put him in the stocks (מַהְפֶּכֶת) that were in the upper gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD."
* Contextually, this event occurs after Jeremiah delivers a severe prophecy of judgment against Jerusalem and its leaders. Pashhur, a chief priest and temple official, responds with violence and public humiliation. Placing Jeremiah in the mahpeketh in a prominent location like the "upper gate of Benjamin" was intended to inflict not only physical discomfort but also public disgrace. This act is a direct consequence of Jeremiah's faithful proclamation of God's word, illustrating the persecution faced by true prophets.
* **[[Jeremiah 29:26]]**: "The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada, to be an officer in the house of the LORD, to have charge of every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks (מַהְפֶּכֶת) and in the iron collar."
* This verse is part of a letter from Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, rebuking Shemaiah, a false prophet who was undermining Jeremiah's message. Jeremiah highlights Shemaiah's failure to fulfill his priestly duty, which included restraining those deemed "madmen" (likely referring to true prophets from Shemaiah's perspective, or perhaps genuinely deluded individuals) by means of the mahpeketh and "iron collar" (צִנּוֹק, `{{H6776}}`). This passage reinforces the idea of mahpeketh as an instrument of control and punishment used by authorities against those whose prophetic claims or behavior were considered disruptive or heretical.
In both instances, mahpeketh functions as a tool of established authority used to silence, punish, and control individuals, particularly prophets who challenged the prevailing order. It represents a physical manifestation of opposition to God's divine message.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root haphak (הָפַךְ, `{{H2015}}`):** The direct linguistic root, signifying "to turn, overturn, overthrow." While mahpeketh is the instrument of this turning or wrenching, haphak describes the action itself, often in contexts of divine judgment or radical change (e.g., God overturning Sodom and Gomorrah, [[Genesis 19:21]]). This connection underscores the violent and disruptive nature implied by the stocks.
* **'esur (אֱסוּר, `{{H631}}`):** A more general term for "bond" or "imprisonment," referring to the state of being bound or confined.
* **kele' (כֶּלֶא, `{{H3628}}`):** A general term for "prison" or "confinement," often referring to a place of incarceration.
* **tsinnoq (צִנּוֹק, `{{H6776}}`):** "Iron collar," specifically mentioned alongside mahpeketh in [[Jeremiah 29:26]]. This word emphasizes the severity and discomfort of the punitive restraint.
* **saddim (סַדִּים, `{{H5465}}`):** Another Hebrew word translated as "stocks" or "fetters," found in [[Job 13:27]] and [[Job 33:11]]. While mahpeketh emphasizes the "wrenching" aspect, saddim more specifically describes the wooden block with holes for hands or feet, suggesting a similar instrument of restraint. The semantic overlap between mahpeketh and saddim is significant, both describing devices for punitive physical confinement.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of mahpeketh primarily revolves around the themes of persecution, divine sovereignty, and the nature of prophetic ministry:
* **Persecution of Prophets:** The most prominent theological implication is its consistent association with the suffering and persecution of God's faithful messengers. Jeremiah, a true prophet, endures this humiliation for faithfully delivering the divine word. This foreshadows the suffering of later prophets and ultimately, the persecution of Christ himself, who also faced false accusations and physical abuse.
* **Human Opposition to Divine Will:** The use of mahpeketh symbolizes human authority's attempt to suppress and control divine truth. It is an act of rebellion against God's message, seeking to "overturn" or "wrench" the messenger into submission. It represents the world's resistance to God's revealed will.
* **Suffering and Faithfulness:** For the one enduring the mahpeketh, it signifies suffering for righteousness' sake. Jeremiah's experience demonstrates that faithfulness to God's call may involve physical pain, public disgrace, and confinement. Yet, such suffering does not silence the prophet; rather, it often serves to validate the authenticity of their message and deepen their reliance on God.
* **Justice and Injustice:** While the stocks were a recognized legal form of punishment in ancient times, their application to Jeremiah highlights an act of profound injustice. It reveals the corrupt nature of human power when it opposes divine revelation and seeks to silence truth.
* **Divine Sovereignty (Indirect):** Despite human attempts to silence His messengers through instruments like the mahpeketh, God's word ultimately prevails. The very act of putting Jeremiah in stocks becomes an integral part of the prophetic narrative, testifying to the truth of his message and the resistance it faced, thus indirectly serving God's larger purposes.
### Summary
The Hebrew word mahpeketh (מַהְפֶּכֶת, `{{H4115}}`), derived from the root haphak (הָפַךְ, `{{H2015}}`), signifies an instrument of severe physical restraint and punishment, specifically "the stocks" or a form of punitive confinement. Its limited but impactful occurrences in the book of Jeremiah ([[Jeremiah 20:2]], [[Jeremiah 29:26]]) consistently depict its use as a tool for persecuting and silencing God's prophets. The mahpeketh thus serves as a powerful symbol of human authority's opposition to divine truth and the suffering endured by those who faithfully proclaim it. It underscores the cost of prophetic faithfulness, the pervasive nature of injustice in a fallen world, and the unwavering resolve of God's messengers even in the face of physical and public humiliation.
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