from יָתַר; (compare יֶתֶר); a cord (of a tent); or the string (of a bow); cord, string.
Transliteration:mêythâr
Pronunciation:may-thar'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4340}}` (mêythâr), transliterated as "mêythâr," fundamentally denotes a "cord" or "string." Its etymological root is `{{H3498}}` (yâthar), meaning "to remain, be left over, excel," and it is closely related to `{{H3499}}` (yether), which also carries the meaning of "cord" or "string" alongside "remainder" or "excellence." This etymological connection subtly suggests something that is drawn out or extended, serving a purpose of connection, support, or tension.
The semantic range of `{{H4340}}` is quite specific within its general meaning of "cord":
* **Tent Cords/Ropes:** These are essential for securing and stabilizing a tent, particularly in nomadic cultures where tents were primary dwellings. They provide structural integrity and resistance against external forces like wind.
* **Bowstrings:** These are the crucial strings of a bow, without which the weapon cannot function. They are responsible for storing and releasing the energy required to propel an arrow.
In both applications, `{{H4340}}` refers to an elongated, flexible material that is vital for the proper function or stability of the object to which it belongs.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H4340}}` appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, but each instance carries significant contextual weight, often moving beyond a mere physical description to convey deeper meaning.
* **In the Context of the Tabernacle:**
* [[Exodus 35:18]]: "the pegs of the court and its cords." Here, `{{H4340}}` refers to the cords used to secure the curtains of the Tabernacle's outer court. These cords, along with the pegs, were integral to establishing the sacred space, ensuring its stability and defining its boundaries as the portable sanctuary of God.
* [[Exodus 39:40]]: "the curtains of the court, its pillars, its pegs, and the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, and its pegs." This verse reiterates the use of `{{H4340}}` for the Tabernacle court, emphasizing the meticulous detail and order required in its construction, reflecting divine precision.
* **In Prophetic Metaphor:**
* [[Isaiah 54:2]]: "Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes." This powerful exhortation to Zion uses the imagery of tent expansion. "Lengthening your cords" signifies a future of growth, prosperity, and security for God's people, implying an increase in their numbers and influence, necessitating a larger dwelling space.
* [[Jeremiah 10:20]]: "My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken; my children have gone from me and are no more; there is no one to spread my tent again and set up my curtains." Jeremiah's lament uses the breaking of `{{H4340}}` as a vivid metaphor for utter desolation, loss, and ruin. The destruction of the tent's cords symbolizes the complete collapse of structure, stability, and the loss of family, leaving the prophet in a state of utter vulnerability and despair.
* **In the Context of Weapons (Bowstrings):**
* [[Job 30:11]]: "Because he has loosed my cord and afflicted me, they have cast off the bridle before me." In this context, "my cord" refers to the bowstring. The loosening of the bowstring signifies a loss of strength, power, and ability to defend oneself, leaving one vulnerable and unable to resist adversaries.
* [[Psalm 11:2]]: "For behold, the wicked bend the bow; they fit their arrow to the string (or cord)." Here, `{{H4340}}` explicitly denotes the bowstring, highlighting the preparation of the wicked for violence and their readiness to inflict harm. It underscores the immediate threat posed by unrighteous individuals.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H3498}}` (yâthar):** The verbal root, meaning "to remain, be left over, excel." This root connects `{{H4340}}` to the idea of something extended or drawn out, which then serves a specific purpose.
* **`{{H3499}}` (yether):** A closely related noun, often translated as "cord," "string," "remainder," or "excellence." It shares semantic overlap with `{{H4340}}` in referring to cords and bowstrings, occasionally being used interchangeably or with subtle nuances.
* **`{{H2256}}` (ḥebel):** A more general Hebrew term for "rope" or "cord," with a broader application than `{{H4340}}`. While `{{H4340}}` often specifies tent cords or bowstrings, `{{H2256}}` can refer to measuring lines, ship ropes, or even "bands" of people or territory.
* **`{{H5688}}` (ʿābôt):** Another word for "ropes" or "cords," often implying thick or twisted ropes, used for binding or securing.
* **Stability and Security:** The primary function of tent cords, providing structural integrity and protection from the elements, is a core concept.
* **Strength and Power:** The function of a bowstring, enabling the projection of force and defense, embodies these ideas.
* **Vulnerability and Desolation:** The breaking or loosening of cords signifies a loss of support, leading to collapse, weakness, or ruin.
* **Expansion and Growth:** As seen in [[Isaiah 54:2]], the lengthening of cords metaphorically represents an increase in scope and blessing.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly simple object of a "cord" or "string" takes on profound theological significance through its varied biblical contexts and metaphorical applications.
* **Divine Order and Sacred Space:** In the construction of the Tabernacle ([[Exodus 35:18]], [[Exodus 39:40]]), the cords are not merely functional but integral to the divinely ordained structure of God's dwelling place. They symbolize the meticulousness of God's design, His desire for an ordered and secure place of worship, and His presence among His people. The stability provided by these cords speaks to the reliability and faithfulness of God's covenant.
* **Promises of Growth and Blessing:** The prophetic imagery in [[Isaiah 54:2]] transforms the physical act of "lengthening cords" into a powerful promise of God's blessing and the future expansion of Zion. This signifies spiritual growth, an increase in the number of God's people, and the widening of His redemptive purposes. It speaks to God's desire for His kingdom to flourish and encompass more.
* **Consequences of Judgment and Desolation:** Conversely, [[Jeremiah 10:20]] utilizes the "broken cords" as a stark symbol of divine judgment and utter ruin. When the cords that provide stability are severed, it represents the collapse of all security and the experience of profound loss. This serves as a powerful warning against disobedience and a vivid portrayal of the devastating effects of God's righteous wrath.
* **Spiritual Conflict and Vulnerability:** The imagery of the "bowstring" in [[Psalm 11:2]] and [[Job 30:11]] highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and human vulnerability. The wicked's prepared bowstring signifies active malice and the readiness to attack, underscoring the constant threat faced by the righteous. The loosening of one's own bowstring symbolizes a loss of spiritual strength, defense, or capacity to resist evil, emphasizing the need for divine empowerment in times of trial.
* **Dependence on God for Stability and Strength:** Ultimately, the dependence on `{{H4340}}` for physical stability (tent) or power (bow) points to a deeper theological truth: humanity's ultimate reliance on God for true security, strength, and purpose. When these physical elements fail or are threatened, it underscores the fragility of human endeavors apart from divine support.
### Summary
`{{H4340}}` (mêythâr) is a Hebrew term signifying a "cord" or "string," primarily identified as tent cords and bowstrings. Its etymological link to `{{H3498}}` (yâthar) suggests something extended or remaining that serves a vital connecting or tension-bearing function. Biblically, `{{H4340}}` transcends its literal meaning to convey significant theological truths. It is found in descriptions of the Tabernacle's construction, symbolizing divine order and the secure establishment of sacred space ([[Exodus 35:18]], [[Exodus 39:40]]). Prophetically, it depicts the expansive blessing and security promised to God's people ([[Isaiah 54:2]]), or conversely, the utter desolation resulting from judgment ([[Jeremiah 10:20]]). In military contexts, `{{H4340}}` as a bowstring illustrates the threat of the wicked or the vulnerability of the disarmed ([[Psalm 11:2]], [[Job 30:11]]). Thus, `{{H4340}}` serves as a rich metaphor for stability, growth, vulnerability, and the dynamics of spiritual conflict, ultimately directing attention to the foundational dependence on God for all true security and strength.
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