### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **maṭʼăṭêʼ**, represented by `{{H4292}}`, translates to **besom** or broom. It appears only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the Bible. Its definition describes it as an instrument for removing dirt, but its single biblical usage gives it a much more powerful, metaphorical weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole appearance of `{{H4292}}` is in [[Isaiah 14:23]], where it is used to describe the totality of God's judgment. The Lord declares that He will sweep the land "with the **besom** of destruction." In this context, the word is not a literal broom but a symbol of a thorough and final cleansing or desolation. The action is so complete that the land is transformed into a possession for the bittern and filled with pools of water, signifying utter ruin.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words from its context in [[Isaiah 14:23]] illuminate the meaning of this judgment:
* `{{H2894}}` **ṭûwʼ** (to sweep away): This is the action for which the besom is the instrument. Its use here denotes a divine act of complete removal.
* `{{H8045}}` **shâmad** (to desolate; destory): This word is directly linked to the besom, forming the phrase "besom of destruction" and defining the purpose of the sweeping as total obliteration.
* `{{H7090}}` **qippôwd** (bittern): The result of the sweeping is a land fit only for the **bittern**, a bird associated with desolate places, emphasizing the completeness of the judgment [[Isaiah 34:11]].
* `{{H98}}` **ʼăgam** (pond, pool): The land's transformation into **pools** of water illustrates a reversal to a state of primordial waste, underlining the desolation.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4292}}` is concentrated in its single, potent use.
* **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** The **besom** is presented as God's chosen tool for enacting a final, sweeping judgment. It signifies an action that is meticulous and leaves nothing behind.
* **Symbol of Total Desolation:** Paired with the verb "to sweep" `{{H2894}}` and the noun "destruction" `{{H8045}}`, the word illustrates a desolation that is absolute. The former state is not just defeated but entirely wiped away.
* **Irreversible Transformation:** The result of the sweeping is a permanent change in the land's nature, making it uninhabitable and turning it into a marsh. The act of God is to "make" `{{H7760}}` it this way, indicating a deliberate and final recreation into a wasteland.
### Summary
In summary, while `{{H4292}}` literally means **besom**, its biblical significance is far greater. Used only once, it functions as a powerful metaphor for the totality of divine judgment. It demonstrates how a common, everyday object can be elevated in scripture to represent an inescapable and comprehensive act of God, in this case, the sweeping away of a nation into complete and utter destruction.
TRV