from חָמַל; (by paronomasia with מַחְמָד) delight; properly, sympathy; pitieth.
Transliteration:machmâl
Pronunciation:makh-mawl'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H4263 (מַחְמָל - machmâl) is a rare but significant noun derived from the root `{{H2550}}` (חָמַל - chāmal), which primarily signifies "to spare," "to pity," or "to have compassion." As a noun, machmâl therefore denotes the state or quality of being pitied, or the act of showing pity/sympathy. It encapsulates the concept of merciful regard or the act of withholding harm.
A crucial aspect of its semantic range, highlighted in the base definition, is its paronomasia (a play on words) with `{{H4261}}` (מַחְמָד - machmâd), which means "desire," "delight," "precious thing," or "desirable object." This phonetic and conceptual proximity suggests a profound interplay: something that is machmâd (delightful/desired) might also be an object of machmâl (pity/sparing), or conversely, the withholding of machmâl from something once considered machmâd intensifies the sense of loss and judgment. Thus, machmâl can subtly carry a nuance of "delight" in the sense of something cherished that one would naturally pity or spare. However, its primary and most direct meaning remains "pity" or "sympathy."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H4263 (machmâl) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its single occurrence exceptionally potent and contextually vital for understanding its full import.
This singular occurrence is found in [[Lamentations 2:2]]:
"The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob without **pity**; He has thrown down in His wrath the strongholds of the daughter of Judah; He has brought them down to the ground; He has profaned the kingdom and its princes."
In this somber lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the phrase "without machmâl" (בְּלִי מַחְמָל) is key. It directly states that Yahweh acted without compassion or mercy in His judgment against His people and their dwelling places. The context is one of total devastation and divine wrath. The absence of machmâl underscores the severity and completeness of the judgment, indicating that God did not spare what might have been expected to be spared.
The paronomasia with `{{H4261}}` (machmâd) adds a poignant layer here. Jerusalem, Zion, and its habitations were once the "delight" or "desirable" places of God's presence and His people. Yet, in [[Lamentations 2:2]], these very places are swallowed up "without machmâl," meaning without the pity or sparing that one might extend to something cherished. This stark contrast emphasizes the depth of the divine abandonment and the consequences of covenant infidelity. The Lord's actions, though stemming from righteous judgment, were executed without the expected element of compassion for what was once His own.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate and foundational related word to H4263 (machmâl) is its verbal root, `{{H2550}}` (חָמַל - chāmal). This verb means "to spare," "to pity," or "to have compassion," and it is used frequently throughout the Old Testament to describe both human and divine acts of mercy and forbearance. For instance, God "spares" individuals or nations from destruction (e.g., [[Exodus 2:6]], [[Jonah 4:10-11]]), and humans are called to "pity" the poor or vulnerable ([[Deuteronomy 13:8]]). The noun machmâl therefore encapsulates the *quality* of pity or the *object* of sparing.
Crucially, the paronomasia with `{{H4261}}` (מַחְמָד - machmâd) creates a vital conceptual link. While machmâd denotes something "desirable" or "precious" (e.g., [[1 Kings 20:6]] regarding desirable possessions; [[Isaiah 64:11]] regarding the temple as a desirable place), machmâl speaks to the act of sparing or showing pity. The tension between these two phonetically similar words in the context of [[Lamentations 2:2]] is profound: the "delightful" city was not shown "pity."
Other related concepts include:
* **Mercy (חֶסֶד - hesed, רַחֲמִים - rachamim):** While machmâl specifically denotes pity or sparing, it falls under the broader umbrella of divine mercy and compassion. God's *hesed* (covenant loyalty, loving-kindness) and *rachamim* (tender mercies, compassion, often from a maternal root) are foundational to His character. The absence of machmâl in [[Lamentations 2:2]] is particularly striking given God's typical demonstration of these attributes.
* **Judgment and Wrath:** The context of [[Lamentations 2:2]] places machmâl in direct opposition to divine judgment and wrath, highlighting the severity of consequences when God's sparing hand is withdrawn.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H4263 (machmâl) in [[Lamentations 2:2]] carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark declaration of the depth and totality of God's judgment upon Jerusalem. The statement "The Lord has swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob without machmâl" is not merely a description of destruction but a theological pronouncement on the nature of divine discipline when covenant unfaithfulness reaches its zenith.
1. **Severity of Divine Judgment:** The absence of machmâl signifies a complete withdrawal of pity or sparing. It underscores that the transgressions of Judah were so grievous that God, in His righteous wrath, executed judgment without holding back or showing any clemency for what was once His chosen dwelling place and people. This demonstrates that while God is abundant in mercy, His justice is equally real and can manifest in severe, unmitigated forms when provoked.
2. **The Cost of Unfaithfulness:** The verse powerfully illustrates the dire consequences of breaking covenant with God. What was once the object of God's special care and delight became the object of His unsparing judgment. The withholding of machmâl serves as a chilling reminder that divine patience has limits and that persistent sin leads to a forfeiture of divine protection and compassion in a punitive sense.
3. **Paradox of Divine Character:** While the lack of machmâl in [[Lamentations 2:2]] highlights God's wrath, it does not negate His fundamental character of compassion and mercy, which is abundantly attested elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [[Exodus 34:6-7]]). Instead, it presents a complex theological truth: God's mercy is profound, but His holiness and justice demand a response to sin. The moment described in [[Lamentations 2:2]] is a unique and terrible instance where, for a specific punitive purpose, the attribute of sparing pity was seemingly suspended. This emphasizes the gravity of the events and the divine resolve in bringing about justice.
### Summary
H4263 (מַחְמָל - machmâl) is a rare Hebrew noun, appearing only once in the Bible, in [[Lamentations 2:2]]. Derived from the root `{{H2550}}` ("to spare, pity"), machmâl signifies "pity" or "sympathy." Its unique force in [[Lamentations 2:2]] lies in its negation: the Lord acted "without machmâl," indicating a complete absence of compassion or sparing in His devastating judgment upon Jerusalem. This single occurrence powerfully conveys the severity of divine wrath against profound covenant unfaithfulness. The word's paronomasia with `{{H4261}}` (machmâd - "delight, desirable thing") adds a poignant layer, emphasizing that what was once cherished by God was subjected to unsparing destruction, underscoring the tragic consequences of sin and the unwavering nature of God's justice.
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