The Hebrew word mizrâʻ, represented by H4218, translates to a thing sown or a planted field. Derived from the root for sowing, it appears just 1 time in the entire Bible, making its single usage highly specific. It directly refers to the product of agricultural labor, the crops planted in the earth.
The sole appearance of H4218 is in Isaiah 19:7, within a prophecy of judgment against Egypt. The verse states that "every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more." Here, the word represents the agricultural abundance and sustenance of the land, which is completely undone by divine action. The context is one of total desolation, where the very sources of life and food are destroyed.
The meaning of H4218 is illuminated by the words surrounding it in its only verse:
- H2975 yᵉʼôr (brook, flood, river, stream): This word, often referring to the Nile, is the source of life for the "thing sown." In contexts like Pharaoh's dream Genesis 41:1 and the plagues Exodus 7:17, it is central to Egypt's identity and vulnerability.
- H3001 yâbêsh (to dry up, wither): This describes the fate of the H4218. The term is used elsewhere to describe withering grass Isaiah 40:8 and the consequence of a broken spirit Proverbs 17:22, signifying a loss of vitality.
- H5086 nâdaph (drive away, tossed to and fro): This action further emphasizes the complete destruction of the sown things. It is elsewhere used to describe worthless chaff driven by the wind Psalms 1:4 or a shaken leaf Leviticus 26:36.
- H6169 ʻârâh (paper reed): Mentioned alongside the "thing sown," these reeds by the brooks also face destruction, highlighting the comprehensive nature of the judgment.
- H6310 peh (mouth, edge, portion): Used here to describe the "mouth of the brooks," it denotes the location of the sown fields. The word is also used figuratively for God's own mouth, from which His powerful word proceeds Isaiah 55:11.
The theological weight of H4218 is concentrated in its single, powerful image of judgment.
- Curse of Barrenness: The "thing sown" is inherently a symbol of life and provision. Its destruction—withering and being driven away—is a clear picture of a curse, where the source of blessing is turned into desolation Isaiah 19:7.
- Sovereignty over Nature: The verse demonstrates God's absolute power over the natural order. Human effort in sowing is rendered meaningless when God decrees judgment, causing the land and its produce to fail.
- Total Judgment: By targeting the "thing sown," the prophecy indicates that God's judgment is not partial but total, striking at the fundamental basis of a nation's survival and prosperity.
In summary, H4218 is a highly specific term whose meaning is defined by its singular context. While it literally means a "thing sown," its biblical role is to serve as a potent symbol of agricultural life and national sustenance. Its destruction in Isaiah 19:7 provides a stark illustration of divine judgment, demonstrating that God's power extends over all human endeavors and the very productivity of the earth itself.
TRV