or מַחֲבֹא; from חָבָא; a refuge; hiding (lurking) place.
Transliteration:machăbêʼ
Pronunciation:makh-ab-ay'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun machăbêʼ (מַחֲבֵא), also appearing as machăbōʼ, is derived from the verbal root chābāʼ (חָבָא), meaning "to hide," "to conceal," or "to be hidden." Consequently, machăbêʼ fundamentally signifies a place of concealment or refuge. Its semantic range encompasses "hiding place," "lurking place," and "refuge," denoting a physical location where one can find shelter from danger, pursuit, or observation. The term emphasizes the act of being hidden or the state of being concealed within a specific locale.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Machăbêʼ (`{{H4224}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, yet its occurrences offer significant insight into its usage and implications.
* In [[1 Samuel 13:6]], the term describes the desperate situation of the Israelites under Philistine oppression: "When the men of Israel saw that they were in straits (for the people were hard pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in strongholds, and in pits [מַחֲבֵא]." Here, machăbêʼ refers to "pits" or "holes," indicating natural or man-made depressions used for immediate physical concealment and safety from the enemy. This usage underscores the literal sense of the word as a tangible, albeit often rudimentary, place of refuge from imminent threat.
* A more profound, metaphorical usage is found in [[Isaiah 28:17]], where the prophet Isaiah proclaims God's judgment against those who rely on deceit: "And the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place [מַחֲבֵא]." In this context, machăbêʼ signifies a "hiding place" or "refuge" that is built upon falsehood ("lies," כָזָב). It refers not to a physical location, but to a deceptive source of security or a false covenant that the people have made, believing it will protect them from divine judgment. This "hiding place" is declared to be utterly ineffective and will be destroyed by God's righteous wrath, illustrating the futility of seeking security apart from Him.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological root chābāʼ (חָבָא) is central to understanding machăbêʼ. Other related terms derived from this root or expressing similar concepts include:
* `{{H2244}}` chābēʼ (חָבֵא): A related noun also meaning "hiding place."
* `{{H4225}}` machăbōʼīm (מַחֲבֹאִים): The plural form, reinforcing the idea of multiple hiding places.
* `{{H4268}}` machseh (מַחְסֶה): This term frequently means "refuge" or "shelter," often used to describe God as a secure dwelling place (e.g., [[Psalm 91:2]]). While similar in meaning, machseh often carries a stronger connotation of divine protection and reliability, contrasting with the potentially unreliable or false "hiding place" of machăbêʼ.
* `{{H4296}}` miqlaṭ (מִקְלָט): Specifically refers to the "cities of refuge" established for those who committed unintentional homicide (e.g., [[Numbers 35:11]]), highlighting a divinely ordained place of safety.
* `{{H5643}}` sātar (סָתַר): A verb meaning "to hide," "to conceal," or "to be hidden," often used in contexts of divine concealment or human efforts to hide from God.
* `{{H6879}}` ṣel (צֵל): "Shadow," often used metaphorically for protection or shade, particularly in the context of divine care (e.g., [[Psalm 121:5]]).
While machăbêʼ can denote a simple physical hiding spot, its metaphorical use in Isaiah distinguishes it by associating it with a deceptive and ultimately doomed source of security, unlike other terms that more consistently refer to genuine or divine refuge.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of machăbêʼ is primarily twofold, encompassing both the human experience of vulnerability and the divine critique of false security. In its literal application, as seen in [[1 Samuel 13:6]], machăbêʼ underscores the human condition of weakness and the innate drive to seek safety in times of peril. The image of the Israelites hiding in pits vividly portrays a people in profound distress, resorting to any available means of survival. This reflects the reality of a fallen world where danger is ever-present and protection is sought, often desperately.
More profoundly, the metaphorical usage in [[Isaiah 28:17]] carries significant theological weight. The "refuge of lies" (מַחֲבֵא כָזָב) serves as a powerful indictment against those who place their trust in human schemes, deceptive alliances, or false ideologies rather than in the sovereign God. This "hiding place" is presented as a futile and transient source of confidence, destined to be swept away by God's righteous judgment. This highlights a crucial biblical principle: true and lasting security is found exclusively in Yahweh. Any alternative source of reliance, no matter how appealing or seemingly secure, is ultimately a deceptive "hiding place" that offers no genuine protection from divine reckoning. The contrast implicitly drawn between humanly contrived refuges and the true divine refuge (often expressed by words like machseh) serves as a potent theological warning against misplaced trust and the dangers of self-deception.
### Summary
Machăbêʼ (`{{H4224}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the root chābāʼ, signifying a "hiding place," "lurking place," or "refuge." Its limited but impactful occurrences in the Hebrew Bible reveal both literal and metaphorical dimensions. Literally, it describes physical locations of concealment, such as the "pits" where the Israelites sought refuge from the Philistines in [[1 Samuel 13:6]]. More significantly, it is employed metaphorically in [[Isaiah 28:17]] to denote a "refuge of lies," a deceptive and ultimately futile source of security. This metaphorical use carries profound theological implications, serving as a stark warning against placing trust in human constructs or falsehoods for safety. It underscores the biblical truth that genuine and enduring security is found only in God, contrasting sharply with the transient and unreliable nature of any false "hiding place."
TRV