English · KJV
H4206

מָזִיחַ

mâzîyach /maw-zee'-akh/ Ask about this word
Rootor מֵזַח · from זָחַח
Meaninga belt (as movable)
KJV usagegirdle, strength.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mâzîyach — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâzîyach, represented by H4206, denotes a belt or girdle, and by extension, the strength it represents. Though it appears only 3 times in 3 unique verses, it carries the dual meaning of a physical, movable belt and the figurative power or restraint one possesses.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H4206 is applied in both literal and figurative contexts. In Psalms, it is part of a curse, describing an adversary who is to be covered with shame like a garment and a girdle he is girded with continually Psalms 109:19. Figuratively, it represents the power of the influential, which God can remove. Job states that God pours contempt upon princes and "weakeneth the strength of the mighty" Job 12:21, implying he loosens their belt of power. Similarly, Isaiah prophesies that for the daughter of Tarshish, "there is no more strength," signifying a loss of status and control Isaiah 23:10.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning of H4206:

  • H7503 râphâh (weakeneth): This verb, meaning "to slacken," is used to describe God's action upon the "strength" of the mighty. This directly connects the figurative loss of strength to the physical act of loosening a belt Job 12:21.
  • H2296 châgar (girded): Meaning "to gird on (as a belt)," this is the action directly associated with the H4206 girdle. It signifies the act of preparing for action or being bound to a certain state Psalms 109:19.
  • H650 ʼâphîyq (mighty): Defined as a "strong thing or a hero," this word describes those whose "strength" H4206 is subject to being weakened by God, highlighting that the girdle is a symbol of human power Job 12:21.
  • H899 beged (garment): A covering or piece of clothing. In scripture, H4206 is used in parallel with a garment, placing it firmly in the context of an article of clothing that defines a person's state Psalms 109:19.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4206 lies in its symbolism of power and restraint.

  • Divine Sovereignty: The use of this word illustrates God's ultimate authority over human strength. He is the one who can weaken, or "slacken," the girdle of the mighty, demonstrating that worldly power and position are granted and removed by Him alone Job 12:21.
  • Symbol of Order and Restraint: In Isaiah, the loss of "strength" H4206 for Tarshish is depicted as a loss of restraint, like a river flowing without banks. This presents strength not just as force, but as the very structure and order holding a society together Isaiah 23:10.
  • Emblem of Constant Condition: The image of a girdle worn "continually" in Psalms 109:19 shows it can represent an inescapable state. While often a symbol of readiness, here it is used in a curse to signify a permanent state of shame and judgment.

Summary

In summary, H4206 is a concise but potent term in the Hebrew Bible. While its literal meaning is a girdle or belt, it functions primarily as a powerful metaphor for the strength, status, and structural integrity of individuals and nations. Its few occurrences vividly illustrate the biblical theme that all human power is contingent upon God, who alone has the authority to gird the strong or weaken the mighty.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 3 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מֵזַח
  • מְזִיחַ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H7503 רָפָה a primitive root; to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative); abate, cease, consume, draw (toward evening) H2296 חָגַר a primitive root; to gird on (as a belt, armor, etc.); be able to put on, be afraid, appointed, gird, restrain, [idiom] H650 אָפִיק from אָסַף; properly, containing, i.e. a tube; also a bed or valley of astream; also a strong thing or a hero; brook, ch H899 בֶּגֶד from בָּגַד; a covering, i.e. clothing; also treachery or pillage; apparel, cloth(-es, ing), garment, lap, rag, raiment,

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 3 verses across 3 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Job, Psalms, and Isaiah (1 verse each); never once in the other 36.

1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Isaiah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.