### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **mûwʻâqâh**, represented by `{{H4157}}`, is derived from a root word meaning pressure. It is used figuratively to denote **distress** or **affliction**. This specific term is exceptionally rare, appearing only **1 times** across **1 unique verses** in the entirety of the biblical text.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single appearance of `{{H4157}}` is in [[Psalms 66:11]], where the psalmist recounts God's past dealings with Israel. The verse states, "Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst **affliction** upon our loins." In this context, the word describes a heavy, burdensome trial that is deliberately placed upon the people by God. This affliction is paired with the imagery of being caught in a net, emphasizing a sense of entrapment and helplessness under a severe weight of distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its sole context in [[Psalms 66:11]] illuminate the meaning of this affliction:
* `{{H935}}` **bôwʼ** (to go or come): This word, used as "Thou broughtest," signifies the action of being led into the state of affliction. It shows that the trial was not an accident but a situation they were guided into [[Psalms 66:11]].
* `{{H4686}}` **mâtsûwd** (a net... or a fastness): In this verse, it is a "net" that entraps them, symbolizing the inescapable nature of the affliction. The same word can also mean "fortress," a place of safety, highlighting how God can use the same means for both trial and protection [[Psalms 18:2]].
* `{{H7760}}` **sûwm** (to put... lay): Used as "thou laidst," this verb shows the affliction is a deliberate placement by God. This act of "putting" or "placing" is seen elsewhere when God establishes both blessing and judgment ([[Isaiah 61:3]], [[Isaiah 5:20]]).
* `{{H4975}}` **môthen** (the loins): The affliction is placed "upon our loins," a part of the body associated with strength. This indicates a burden that weakens and debilitates at the very core of one's being, a concept also seen in descriptions of great pain and fear [[Nahum 2:10]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4157}}` is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
* **Sovereignty in Trial:** The affliction is explicitly "laid" by God, underscoring the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over suffering. It is not a random occurrence but a purposeful act from God [[Psalms 66:11]].
* **Purposeful Pressure:** The term itself means "pressure," and its context of being brought into a "net" suggests a trial designed for a specific purpose, such as testing or refinement.
* **Tangible Distress:** By locating the affliction "upon our loins," the verse moves the concept from a purely abstract idea of "distress" to a tangible, physical burden that impacts a person's strength and stability.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4157}}` **mûwʻâqâh** provides a concise yet profound depiction of affliction. Although it appears only once, its context in [[Psalms 66:11]] defines it as a divinely appointed pressure, a burdensome weight placed upon the very source of one's strength. It powerfully illustrates the biblical understanding of trials as purposeful, sovereignly administered experiences intended to test and ultimately lead to a deeper acknowledgment of God's power.
TRV