from זוּר in the sense of turning aside from truth; treachery, i.e. a plot; wound.
Transliteration:mâzôwr
Pronunciation:maw-zore'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מָזוֹר (mâzôwr), Strong's number `{{H4204}}`, derives from the verb זוּר (zûr) `{{H2114}}`, which carries the fundamental sense of "to turn aside," "to be estranged," or "to be a stranger." This root meaning provides the semantic foundation for mâzôwr, implying a deviation from a proper or intended state.
From this root, mâzôwr develops two primary, yet interconnected, semantic fields:
1. **Moral/Ethical Deviation:** This aspect relates to "turning aside from truth," leading to concepts like "treachery" or "a plot." It denotes a departure from faithfulness, integrity, or an upright path, resulting in malicious intent or action designed to harm.
2. **Physical Deviation/Damage:** This refers to "a wound" or "decay." Here, the "turning aside" signifies a departure from a state of health, wholeness, or soundness, resulting in physical injury or internal deterioration.
The underlying unity between these two meanings lies in the idea of something being perverted, distorted, or corrupted from its original, good form. A wound is a physical perversion of the body's integrity, while treachery is a moral perversion of trust and truth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The noun מָזוֹר (mâzôwr) `{{H4204}}` appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Proverbs:
* **[[Proverbs 12:4]]**: "A virtuous wife is a crown to her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones."
In this sole occurrence, mâzôwr is translated as "rottenness" (KJV, ESV) or "decay" (NIV). The context vividly portrays the devastating impact of a wife who brings shame upon her husband. Rather than being an external affliction, the "rottenness" described by mâzôwr is an internal, corrosive wound. It metaphorically represents a deep, debilitating decay that saps strength, vitality, and well-being from within.
While the base definition provided for mâzôwr includes "treachery" or "a plot," the biblical usage in [[Proverbs 12:4]] leans exclusively into the "wound" or "decay" aspect. The shameful actions of the wife are not merely an external offense but inflict a profound, internal, and destructive process upon her husband, affecting the very core of his being, much like a disease that consumes the bones. This highlights the Proverbial emphasis on the intrinsic consequences of moral choices, where unrighteousness leads to internal corruption and weakening.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding mâzôwr is enhanced by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* **Root Verb:** זוּר (zûr) `{{H2114}}`: This is the foundational verb from which mâzôwr is derived. Its meanings—"to turn aside," "to be estranged," "to be a stranger"—underscore the sense of deviation, alienation, and departure from a proper course or relationship that is inherent in mâzôwr.
* **Words for "Wound" or "Decay":**
* חָלָה (chalah) `{{H2470}}`: A verb meaning "to be sick," "to be weak," or "to be wounded," often indicating a state of physical or spiritual affliction.
* מַכָּה (makkah) `{{H4347}}`: A noun meaning "a blow," "a wound," or "a plague," often referring to an inflicted injury or judgment.
* רָקָב (raqav) `{{H7538}}`: A noun meaning "decay" or "rottenness," frequently used in Proverbs (e.g., [[Proverbs 14:30]]) to describe the destructive effects of envy or unrighteousness, often in parallel or similar contexts to mâzôwr, emphasizing internal deterioration.
* **Words for "Treachery" or "Plot":**
* בֶּגֶד (beged) `{{H0898}}`: A noun signifying "treachery" or "faithlessness," denoting a breach of trust or covenant.
* מְזִמָּה (mezimmah) `{{H4209}}`: A noun meaning "plot," "device," or "wicked scheme." This word, while distinct, shares a similar initial sound and conceptual overlap with the "plot" aspect of mâzôwr's broader semantic range, indicating a deliberate turning aside for malicious purposes.
### Theological Significance
The singular biblical occurrence of mâzôwr in [[Proverbs 12:4]] carries profound theological weight, especially within the wisdom tradition. It powerfully illustrates the intrinsic consequences of moral conduct and the holistic nature of human well-being in biblical thought.
1. **Internal Consequences of Sin:** Mâzôwr, as "rottenness in the bones," highlights that sin and unrighteous behavior are not merely external acts but have deep, corrosive effects within a person's very being. The "shame" brought by the wife is not just social disgrace but a spiritual and existential wound that saps life and strength from her husband. This underscores the biblical understanding that moral decay leads to internal debilitation.
2. **The Nature of Deviation:** The root זוּר (zûr) `{{H2114}}` implies a turning aside from a righteous path or divine standard. The use of mâzôwr in Proverbs exemplifies how such deviation, whether through treachery or shameful conduct, results in a destructive "wound." This aligns with the broader biblical narrative where sin is depicted as a straying from God's will, leading to separation and adverse consequences.
3. **Proverbial Wisdom:** The verse fits perfectly within the didactic framework of Proverbs, which consistently contrasts wisdom leading to life and blessing with folly leading to death and decay. The "rottenness" is a direct, albeit metaphorical, consequence of folly and moral failure within the most intimate of human relationships.
Thus, while rare, mâzôwr serves as a potent image of the self-inflicted damage and internal corruption that stem from unrighteousness, emphasizing that moral deviation creates a deep, debilitating wound within the soul and spirit.
### Summary
מָזוֹר (mâzôwr) `{{H4204}}` is a rare Hebrew noun derived from the verb זוּר (zûr) `{{H2114}}`, meaning "to turn aside" or "to be estranged." Its semantic range encompasses both "treachery" or "a plot" (a turning away from truth or loyalty) and "a wound" or "decay" (a turning away from wholeness or health).
In its sole biblical occurrence in [[Proverbs 12:4]], mâzôwr is powerfully employed to describe the internal "rottenness" or "decay" that a shameful wife inflicts upon her husband. This metaphorical "wound" highlights the profound and debilitating consequences of moral failure, illustrating how unrighteous behavior can lead to deep, corrosive damage within a person's very being.
Though limited in its biblical appearances, mâzôwr provides a vivid and poignant image of the destructive, internal effects of deviation from God's righteous path, underscoring the biblical truth that sin creates an inherent "wound" that undermines true well-being.
TRV