### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun maṭbêach (`{{H4293}}`) is derived from the verbal root ṭābaḥ (`{{H2873}}`), which means "to slaughter," "to kill," or "to butcher." As a noun, maṭbêach refers to the act of slaughtering or the place where slaughter occurs. Its primary semantic range encompasses the killing of animals, typically for food or sacrificial purposes. While the root ṭābaḥ can extend to human killing, maṭbêach itself is predominantly used in the context of animal slaughter, often implying a deliberate and systematic taking of life for a specific purpose, whether consumption or as a vivid metaphor for destruction. It conveys the finality and often the violence of the act.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term maṭbêach (`{{H4293}}`) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both instances found within the book of Proverbs, illustrating its nuanced application within the wisdom literature.
1. **[[Proverbs 7:22]]**: "He goes after her immediately, like an ox going to the slaughter [maṭbêach], or like a fool to the stocks," (ESV).
* **Context:** This verse is a poignant part of the warning against the seductive power of the adulteress. The young man, devoid of understanding, is depicted as blindly following the path of sin.
* **Analysis:** Here, maṭbêach serves as a powerful and grim metaphor for the inevitable destruction awaiting the one who succumbs to illicit desires. The imagery of an ox being led to slaughter evokes a sense of helplessness, a preordained and fatal end. The young man's folly is not merely a misstep but a direct path to ruin, highlighting the severe and often irreversible consequences of moral transgression. The animal's unawareness underscores the deceptive nature of sin, which often conceals its ultimate destructive outcome.
2. **[[Proverbs 17:1]]**: "Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting [maṭbêach] with strife." (ESV).
* **Context:** This proverb contrasts the value of inner peace and relational harmony with the superficial appeal of material abundance accompanied by conflict.
* **Analysis:** In this occurrence, maṭbêach refers to the "slaughter" of animals prepared for a lavish feast. It signifies abundant provisions and a celebratory atmosphere, implying a large quantity of meat. However, the proverb's wisdom lies in its inversion of conventional values: even such material prosperity, if accompanied by quarreling and discord, is deemed inferior to a simple meal enjoyed in tranquility. The term here points to the source of the feast's richness, emphasizing that physical abundance does not guarantee true well-being or happiness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of maṭbêach (`{{H4293}}`) is interconnected with several Hebrew terms related to killing, sacrifice, and sustenance.
* **ṭābaḥ (`{{H2873}}`):** The verbal root "to slaughter, kill, butcher." This verb is used for both animal slaughter (e.g., for food or sacrifice) and, at times, for human killing (e.g., [[1 Samuel 25:11]]). maṭbêach is the noun form of this action.
* **zebach (`{{H2077}}`):** This noun refers to a "sacrifice" or "offering," particularly a "peace offering" or "fellowship offering." While maṭbêach describes the physical act of killing the animal, zebach denotes the *purpose* and *ritualistic outcome* of that act as an offering to God, often followed by communal feasting. The slaughter (maṭbêach) was a necessary precursor to the zebach.
* **rāṣaḥ (`{{H7523}}`):** "To murder, slay." This term specifically refers to the unlawful killing of a human being, often with malicious intent, and is distinct from the more general or purposeful killing implied by ṭābaḥ or maṭbêach.
* **ḥarēg (`{{H2717}}`):** "To slay, kill." Similar to ṭābaḥ but can sometimes carry a connotation of a more violent or indiscriminate killing.
* **Abundance and Feasting:** As seen in [[Proverbs 17:1]], maṭbêach is associated with the concept of a lavish meal and abundant provisions. This connects it to broader themes of material wealth, sustenance, and celebration within the biblical context.
### Theological Significance
Despite its limited occurrences, maṭbêach (`{{H4293}}`) carries significant theological implications within the wisdom tradition of Proverbs.
1. **The Inevitability of Consequences:** In [[Proverbs 7:22]], maṭbêach functions as a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and the natural consequences of sin. It underscores the biblical principle that choices have profound and often unavoidable outcomes. The imagery of an ox going to slaughter highlights the tragic blindness of those who pursue folly, leading them to spiritual and existential ruin. This resonates with the broader biblical understanding that "the wages of sin is death" ([[Romans 6:23]]).
2. **Priorities of True Wisdom:** [[Proverbs 17:1]] employs maṭbêach to represent material abundance, contrasting it with the superior value of peace and harmony. The theological insight here is that true prosperity and blessing are not measured solely by material possessions or outward displays of wealth. God's wisdom prioritizes inner tranquility, righteous character, and harmonious relationships over mere physical comforts or lavish living. This challenges a purely materialistic worldview, advocating for spiritual and relational well-being as the true measure of a blessed life.
3. **God's Sovereignty over Life and Death:** The underlying concept of "slaughter" inherently points to the fragility of life and the ultimate reality of death. While maṭbêach is used in practical or metaphorical ways, it implicitly reminds the reader of God's ultimate authority over all life and death, and the finite nature of human existence.
### Summary
The Hebrew word maṭbêach (`{{H4293}}`), derived from ṭābaḥ (`{{H2873}}`), signifies "slaughter" or "a place of slaughter." Its two appearances in the book of Proverbs offer distinct yet profound theological insights. In [[Proverbs 7:22]], maṭbêach serves as a chilling metaphor for the destructive end awaiting those who succumb to folly and sin, likening them to an ox unknowingly led to its demise. This highlights the severe, often unseen, consequences of moral transgression. Conversely, in [[Proverbs 17:1]], maṭbêach refers to the abundance of a feast, representing plentiful provisions. Here, it underscores a core wisdom principle: that the peace and tranquility of a humble dwelling are far superior to the material excess of a home plagued by strife. Thus, maṭbêach functions both as a stark warning about the consequences of unrighteous living and as a profound statement on the true values that constitute a blessed life in the biblical wisdom tradition.
TRV