### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **machmud**, represented by `{{H4262}}`, refers to something that is **desired, a valuable, or pleasant thing**. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet its context within scripture poignantly captures the essence of cherished possessions and the pain of their loss. The term signifies not just material wealth, but items of deep personal or national value.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Both uses of `{{H4262}}` are found in the book of Lamentations, depicting the sorrow of Jerusalem after its fall. In a state of affliction `{{H6040}}` and miseries `{{H4788}}`, Jerusalem remembers all her **pleasant things** that she possessed in the "days of old" [[Lamentations 1:7]]. This highlights a painful contrast between past prosperity and present devastation. The desperation is further emphasized when the people, sighing `{{H584}}` and seeking bread, trade their **pleasant things** for food simply to relieve their soul `{{H5315}}` [[Lamentations 1:11]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words illuminate the context of loss and desperation surrounding `{{H4262}}`:
* `{{H4788}}` **mârûwd** (an outcast; (abstractly) destitution): This word describes the state of "miseries" in which Jerusalem finds itself, a condition defined by the memory of its lost **pleasant things** [[Lamentations 1:7]]. It also refers to the "cast out" poor who should be brought into one's house [[Isaiah 58:7]].
* `{{H1245}}` **bâqash** (to search out... desire, enquire... seek for): After giving up their valuables, the people are forced to "seek" basic sustenance, showing a shift from possessing desirable things to desperately searching for necessities [[Lamentations 1:11]]. The act of seeking is often directed toward God in other contexts [[Jeremiah 29:13]].
* `{{H400}}` **ʼôkel** (food... meat, prey, victuals): This is what the **pleasant things** are traded for. The exchange of cherished valuables for mere "meat" underscores the depth of the city's suffering and physical need [[Lamentations 1:11]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4262}}` is tied to the themes of judgment, memory, and value.
* **Consequence of Sin:** The loss of "pleasant things" is a direct consequence of Jerusalem's sin [[Lamentations 1:8]]. These valuables represent the blessings and heritage forfeited through disobedience.
* **Reversal of Fortune:** The word powerfully illustrates a complete reversal. The people go from possessing valuable items to becoming "vile" `{{H2151}}`, forced to trade their treasures for bread `{{H3899}}` just to survive [[Lamentations 1:11]].
* **The Anguish of Remembrance:** In a state of affliction, the memory of past "pleasant things" is not a comfort but a source of profound grief. Jerusalem remembers its former treasures while its people fall and its adversaries mock [[Lamentations 1:7]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4262}}` is more than a simple descriptor for a valuable item. It serves as a symbol of lost glory, prosperity, and national heritage. Its exclusive use in Lamentations anchors it in a narrative of tragic loss, graphically depicting the cost of judgment and the desperation that drives people to exchange their most cherished possessions for the barest means of survival.
TRV