The Hebrew word maṭṭârâʼ, represented by H4307, carries a dual meaning of prison and mark. It appears 16 times across 15 unique verses in the Bible. Based on the root concept of being "closely watched," the term is applied both to a physical place of confinement, like a jail, and to an object of aim, like a target.
In biblical narratives, H4307 is most prominently featured in the book of Jeremiah to describe his confinement. The prophet was repeatedly "shut up in the court of the prison" Jeremiah 32:2. This location, part of the king's house, serves as the setting for significant prophecies and interactions (Jeremiah 37:21, Jeremiah 32:8). The term is also used as a geographical landmark in Nehemiah, such as the "prison gate" Nehemiah 12:39. In a different context, the word signifies a target. Job, in his suffering, exclaims that God has set him up as his mark Job 16:12, a sentiment echoed in Lamentations where the author is made "a mark for the arrow" Lamentations 3:12.
Several related words help define the context of confinement and location associated with H4307:
- H2691 châtsêr (court, tower, village): This word for an enclosed yard is frequently paired with H4307 to form the specific phrase "court of the prison" Jeremiah 37:21, the site of Jeremiah's detainment.
- H3607 kâlâʼ (to restrict, ... shut up): This verb describes the act of confining someone. It is used to state that King Zedekiah had shut up Jeremiah in the court of the prison Jeremiah 32:2.
- H4026 migdâl (a tower): This term for a tower appears in descriptions of locations near the "court of the prison," highlighting its placement within a fortified or significant area of the city Nehemiah 3:25.
- H6113 ʻâtsâr (to inclose; ... shut (up)): This word also denotes confinement and is used to describe Jeremiah being shut up in the court of the prison when he received a word from the LORD Jeremiah 33:1.
- H953 bôwr (a pit hole ... cistern or a prison): This word describes the dungeon where Jeremiah was cast after being taken from the court of the prison H4307, indicating a more severe place of confinement Jeremiah 38:6.
The conceptual weight of H4307 is revealed through its distinct applications:
- Confinement and Revelation: The "court of the prison" is paradoxically a place of both physical restriction and divine revelation. It is while Jeremiah is confined there that the word of the LORD comes to him, demonstrating that God's communication is not hindered by human imprisonment (Jeremiah 33:1, Jeremiah 39:15).
- Target of Suffering: When used as "mark," the word conveys a profound sense of being singled out for hardship. Job and the author of Lamentations use it to express their feeling of being the specific target of God's seemingly hostile actions (Job 16:12, Lamentations 3:12).
- A Point of Focus: Whether as a prisoner under guard or a target being aimed at, the subject of H4307 is under intense observation and focus. This connects the literal meaning of an archery mark 1 Samuel 20:20 with the figurative state of being watched in a prison.
In summary, H4307 is a multifaceted word that signifies both a place and a state of being. Its meaning shifts from a literal "prison" court, most notably in the story of Jeremiah, to a metaphorical "mark" for suffering or attack. The word powerfully illustrates the biblical concepts of physical confinement, divine revelation in hardship, and the painful experience of being singled out as a target.
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