from חָתַר; a burglary; figuratively, unexpected examination; breaking up, secret search.
Transliteration:machtereth
Pronunciation:makh-teh'-reth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun *machtereth* (מַחְתֶּרֶת, `{{H4290}}`) is derived from the verbal root *chathar* (חָתַר), which fundamentally means "to dig," "to bore," "to undermine," or "to break through." This etymological connection immediately establishes the core semantic range of *machtereth* as an action involving forceful, often clandestine, penetration.
Literally, *machtereth* denotes "a breaking in" or "a burrowing," most commonly referring to the act of a burglar illicitly entering a dwelling. This typically involved digging through a mud-brick wall, a common construction method in ancient Israel. The term emphasizes the *act* of breaking through, rather than the perpetrator themselves.
Figuratively, the word extends to encompass an "unexpected examination" or "secret search." This broader sense moves beyond physical intrusion to suggest an unwelcome or sudden probing into hidden matters, often implying a clandestine and illegitimate investigation or exposure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term *machtereth* appears in a limited number of biblical passages, each shedding light on its specific nuance:
* **[[Exodus 22:2]] (or 22:1 in some translations):** "If a thief is found breaking in (בַּמַּחְתֶּרֶת) and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him." This is the most direct and foundational usage. Here, *machtereth* unequivocally refers to the act of "housebreaking" or "burglary" by a thief. The legal context distinguishes between a daytime and nighttime intrusion, implicitly suggesting that *machtereth* would most often occur under cover of darkness, making the homeowner's self-defense more justifiable due to the presumed danger and obscured intent of the intruder. This passage underscores the illicit and potentially violent nature of the act.
* **[[Jeremiah 2:34]]:** "Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor; you did not find them breaking in (בַּמַּחְתֶּרֶת), but on all these things." This verse presents a more nuanced application. The prophet Jeremiah condemns Judah for shedding innocent blood. The phrase "you did not find them breaking in" serves as a powerful negation, asserting that the victims were not criminals caught in the act of burglary, and therefore, their execution was entirely unjustified. The use of *machtereth* here highlights the profound injustice of treating blameless individuals as if they were engaged in a grave offense that might warrant such a severe response under the law.
* **[[Ezekiel 8:8]]:** While *machtereth* itself is not present, the verbal root *chathar* (חָתַר), from which it is derived, is used: "Then he said to me, 'Son of man, dig through the wall.' So I dug through the wall, and behold, there was an opening." In this prophetic vision, Ezekiel is commanded to physically "dig through" a wall to reveal the hidden idolatries within the temple. This act of breaking through symbolizes the Lord's own "secret search" or "unexpected examination" of the people's concealed sins, aligning with the figurative sense of *machtereth* as a sudden, revealing intrusion.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Root *chathar* (חָתַר):** This is the direct verbal root (`{{H2864}}`) from which *machtereth* is formed, signifying the action of digging or breaking through.
* ***ganav* (גָּנַב, `{{H1589}}`) / *gannav* (גַּנָּב, `{{H1590}}`):** These terms refer to "to steal" and "thief," respectively. A *gannav* is the agent who performs the act of *machtereth*.
* ***parats* (פָּרַץ, `{{H6555}}`):** Meaning "to break out," "to break through," or "to burst forth." While similar to *chathar* in some contexts of breaking, *parats* often implies a more violent, less clandestine, or even a beneficial breaking forth (e.g., in blessing).
* ***shalal* (שָׁלָל, `{{H7998}}`):** "Plunder" or "spoil." This refers to the outcome or object of a successful act of theft or breaking in.
* ***gezel* (גֶּזֶל, `{{H1498}}`) / *gazal* (גָּזַל, `{{H1497}}`):** "Robbery" / "to rob." These terms often imply open violence or extortion, distinguishing them from the more clandestine nature of *machtereth*.
* **New Testament Parallels:** The concept of breaking in is carried into the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus regarding the unexpected coming of the Son of Man. The Greek verb *diorusso* (διορύσσω, `{{G1358}}`), meaning "to dig through," directly parallels the Hebrew *chathar* and the concept of *machtereth*. This is seen in passages like [[Matthew 6:19-20]] (where thieves "break in and steal") and [[Matthew 24:43]] (where the master of the house would have been ready if he knew when the "thief was coming"). The imagery of the thief breaking in serves as a powerful metaphor for the sudden, unwelcome, and often destructive nature of an unannounced intrusion, whether by a literal thief or by the Lord's return.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of *machtereth* extend beyond its literal or legal definitions:
* **Divine Justice and the Sanctity of Property:** The law in [[Exodus 22:2]] concerning *machtereth* reflects God's concern for justice, the protection of private property, and the right to self-defense. It establishes limits on lethal force, distinguishing between a clear and present danger (often associated with nighttime *machtereth*) and other forms of theft, thereby balancing the sanctity of life with the need for security.
* **Innocence and Condemnation of Injustice:** Jeremiah's use of *machtereth* in [[Jeremiah 2:34]] serves as a profound indictment against the unjust shedding of innocent blood. It underscores God's abhorrence of false accusation and the perversion of justice, where the blameless are treated as if they were engaged in the most egregious crimes. This highlights the Lord's defense of the vulnerable and His demand for righteous judgment.
* **Spiritual Revelation and Divine Judgment:** The figurative sense, particularly as illustrated by the root *chathar* in [[Ezekiel 8:8]], points to God's capacity to "break in" or "dig through" the hidden layers of human sin and societal corruption. This is not for theft, but for exposure, judgment, and purification. It signifies God's omniscience and His sovereign right to reveal what is concealed, bringing all things into the light for accountability and ultimately, for restoration or condemnation.
* **The Unexpected Coming of God:** The New Testament's appropriation of the "thief in the night" motif (e.g., [[Matthew 24:43]], [[1 Thessalonians 5:2]], [[2 Peter 3:10]], [[Revelation 3:3]]) draws directly from the understanding of *machtereth* as a sudden, unannounced, and often unwelcome intrusion. This serves as a powerful theological warning for vigilance and spiritual preparedness, emphasizing that the Lord's return for final judgment will be unexpected, catching the unprepared off guard. It calls believers to live in constant readiness, anticipating God's sovereign and decisive intervention in human history.
### Summary
*Machtereth* (מַחְתֶּרֶת, `{{H4290}}`) is a Hebrew noun derived from the verb *chathar* (חָתַר, `{{H2864}}`), meaning "to dig" or "to break through." Its primary literal meaning is "a breaking in" or "burglary," specifically referring to the act of a thief illicitly entering a dwelling, often by digging through a wall, as seen in the legal context of [[Exodus 22:2]]. Figuratively, *machtereth* can denote an "unexpected examination" or "secret search," a concept reinforced by the root's use in [[Ezekiel 8:8]] where God commands Ezekiel to "dig through the wall" to reveal hidden abominations. The term also appears in [[Jeremiah 2:34]], where its negative use ("you did not find them breaking in") powerfully condemns the unjust killing of innocent people who were not engaged in criminal acts. Theologically, *machtereth* illuminates principles of divine justice, the condemnation of false accusation, God's sovereign ability to expose hidden sin, and the unexpected nature of divine judgment. This latter theme resonates strongly in the New Testament, where the return of Christ is likened to a "thief in the night" (e.g., [[Matthew 24:43]], [[1 Thessalonians 5:2]]), emphasizing the need for constant spiritual vigilance in anticipation of God's sudden and decisive intervention.
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